Creating a poetry lesson plan for year three students can be challenging for teachers. However, it is essential to the curriculum as it helps students develop their language and writing skills.
A poetry lesson can teach students about different literary devices and how to use them in writing. It can also help students to express their thoughts and feelings in a creative and meaningful way.
Related: For more, check out our article on Poetry Books For Teachers here.

Understanding poetry is an essential aspect of creating a poetry lesson plan. Teachers should start by introducing students to poems such as haikus, sonnets, and free verse.
They should also teach students about the literary devices used in poetry, such as rhyme, rhythm, and imagery. This will help students to understand how poems are structured and how they can use these devices in their own writing.
Writing skills for poetry should also be a focus of the lesson plan. Teachers can encourage students to experiment with different writing techniques, such as using metaphors or similes.
They can also give students prompts to help them start their writing. By providing feedback and guidance, teachers can help students to improve their writing skills and develop their own unique writing style.

Key Takeaways
- Understanding different types of poetry and literary devices is essential to creating a successful poetry lesson plan.
- Encouraging students to experiment with different writing techniques can help them to develop their writing skills.
- Providing feedback and guidance is crucial to helping students improve their writing and develop their own unique writing style.
Understanding Poetry
Poetry is a form of literature that uses language to evoke emotion, paint vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas concisely and powerfully. Year Three students can benefit greatly from learning about poetry, as it can help them develop their language skills, creativity, and critical thinking abilities.
One of the most critical aspects of understanding poetry is recognising figurative language. This includes metaphors, similes, personification, and other literary devices poets use to create meaning beyond the literal level.
For example, Joseph Coelho’s poem “If All the World Were Paper” uses the metaphor of the world being made of paper to explore the fragility and beauty of life.
Another key element of poetry is the use of imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. Poets often use nature as a source of inspiration, as seen in Roald Dahl’s poem “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf”, which paints a vivid picture of the forest and its inhabitants.
It is also important for Year Three students to understand the different forms of poetry, such as haikus, sonnets, and free verse. This can help them appreciate the diversity of poetry and develop their own writing skills.
Overall, teaching Year Three students about poetry can be a rewarding experience for both teachers and students. It can help students develop their language skills, creativity, and critical thinking abilities, while also exposing them to the beauty and power of language.
Related: For more, check out our article on The Top 10 Activities To Use In A Poetry Lesson here.
Writing Skills for Poetry
When it comes to writing poetry, there are several skills that Year Three students should develop. These skills include understanding rhyme, writing acrostic poems, using personification and similes, and mastering alliteration.
In addition, students should have a solid understanding of grammar and sentence structure to convey their message effectively.
Rhyme is an essential aspect of poetry writing. It involves matching sounds at the end of words to create a rhythmic pattern. Year Three students should be encouraged to experiment with rhyming schemes, such as AABB or ABAB, to create unique and engaging poems.
Acrostic poems are another popular form of poetry that students can explore. These poems use the letters of a word or phrase to create a poem. For example, the word “SPRING” could be used to create a poem where each line starts with a letter from the word.
Personification and similes can add depth and emotion to poetry writing. Personification involves giving human characteristics to non-human objects, while similes use comparisons to describe something.
For example, a student might write “the wind whispered secrets” or “the stars were like diamonds in the sky.”
Alliteration is a technique that involves using the same sound at the beginning of multiple words in a sentence or phrase. This can create a musical effect and add emphasis to certain words.
For example, a student might write “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” or “Silly Sally sat on the seashore.”
Finally, grammar and sentence structure are crucial to effective poetry writing. Students should have a firm grasp of sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar rules to ensure their poems are straightforward and easy to understand.
Year Three students can create engaging and meaningful poetry that showcases their creativity and imagination by developing these writing skills.
Creating a Poetry Lesson Plan

When creating a poetry lesson plan for Year Three students, it is important to keep in mind their level of understanding and interest.
Lower KS2 students are still developing their language and literacy skills, so it is important to choose poems that are appropriate for their age and ability.
To begin, the teacher should choose a poem that is engaging and relatable to Year Three students. The poem should be read aloud to the class, allowing them to listen and absorb the language and rhythm.
The teacher can then guide the class in discussing the poem’s meaning and themes.
Next, the teacher can introduce poetic devices, such as rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor. Using examples from the chosen poem, the teacher can explain how these devices work and how they contribute to the poem’s overall effect.
After this, the class can work together to create their poem. The teacher can provide a prompt or theme, and the students can brainstorm ideas and work in groups to write their verses.
Depending on the teacher’s preference, this activity can be done as a whole class or in smaller groups.
To conclude the lesson, the students can share their poems with the class, allowing them to showcase their creativity and language skills. The teacher can provide feedback and encourage the students to continue exploring poetry independently.
Overall, creating a poetry lesson plan for Year Three students requires careful consideration of their age and ability. By choosing engaging poems and introducing poetic devices clearly and concisely, teachers can help foster a love of poetry in their students.
Teaching Resources for Poetry
When it comes to teaching poetry to Year Three students, there are a variety of resources that can be used to make the lesson engaging and effective. Here are some examples of teaching resources that can be used:
Writing Frames
Writing frames can be a useful tool to help students structure their poems. They provide a framework for students to follow and can help them to organise their thoughts. Various writing frames are available online that can be downloaded and printed for classroom use.
PowerPoints
PowerPoints can be a great way to introduce students to different types of poetry. They can be used to provide examples of different styles of poetry, as well as to explain the different elements of poetry such as rhyme, rhythm and meter. A range of PowerPoint presentations available online can be used to support the teaching of poetry.
PDF Resources
PDF resources can be used to provide students with additional information about poetry. They can be used to provide definitions of different types of poetry, as well as to provide examples of different poems. A range of PDF resources available online can be used to support the teaching of poetry.
TES Paid Licence
A TES paid licence can be used to access a range of teaching resources related to poetry. These resources can include lesson plans, worksheets and activities designed to support the teaching of poetry. A TES-paid licence can be a valuable investment for teachers who want to access high-quality teaching resources.
Revision
Revision resources can be used to help students prepare for poetry assessments. These resources can include practice questions, model answers and revision guides. There are a variety of revision resources available online that can be used to support the teaching of poetry.
Worksheets
Worksheets can be used to provide students with additional practice in writing poetry. They can be used to provide prompts for writing poetry and exercises to help students develop their poetry-writing skills. A range of worksheets available online can be used to support the teaching of poetry.
Overall, there are a variety of teaching resources available that can be used to support the teaching of poetry to Year Three students. By using a range of resources, teachers can help to make the lesson engaging and effective, and can help to ensure that students develop a love for poetry.
Implementing and Evaluating the Lesson

Once the poetry lesson plan has been created and the necessary materials have been gathered, it is time to implement the lesson in the classroom. The following steps can be taken to ensure that the lesson is delivered effectively:
- Introduce the lesson by explaining what poetry is and why it is essential to study it. Please provide examples of different types of poetry, such as performance poetry, and explain how they differ.
- Have the students read a poem and discuss it as a class. Ask questions about the poem’s meaning, structure, and literary devices used. This will help students develop their comprehension skills and understand how to analyse poetry.
- Provide the students with a poetry bundle that includes a variety of poems for them to read and analyse. Encourage students to choose a poem that they find interesting and create a presentation to share with the class.
- During the presentation, students should be evaluated on their understanding of the poem, their use of literary devices, and their performance skills if applicable. This will help the teacher assess how well the students have grasped the concepts taught in the lesson.
- Finally, evaluate the lesson by reflecting on what worked well and could be improved. This will help the teacher adjust future lessons and ensure that the students get the most out of their poetry education.
Following these steps, teachers can create a successful poetry lesson for Year Three students that encourages comprehension, creativity, and performance skills.