Poetry in Motion

Poetry Poetry in motion

Some time ago there appeared an article in a British newspaper about a poet who sprayed a word from one of her poems on each of 15 sheep. She then watched the animals move around to see what new poems they created (a bit like an organic form of fridge poetry!). This story provides an excellent springboard for a poetry/creative writing lesson. Print out the following sets of words on card paper (probably about five times for each set if you want pupils to work individually; half as many times if you allow them to work in pairs) and cut them so that each word is separate. Place the sets of cards in envelopes (or any suitable container). Hand the sets of cards to the pupils and ask them to create a poem by moving the words around (they enjoy the hands-on approach!). They should try to use all fifteen words, and can add articles, prepositions, conjunctions, etc. to link the words. Once they are happy with the poems they have composed they should write them down. They can then swap sets and repeat the process. When written out neatly and colourfully decorated, the poems can be used to create a wall display.

Example:

FROG CROAKS LEAPS SITS ROCK POND GREEN SOFT SPLASH JUMPS SLIMY POWERFULLY KICKS SUN DIVES

Green frog, slimy and soft Sits in the sun On a rock And croaks and croaks and croaks Then he kicks powerfully Jumps, leaps Dives into the pond Splash!

FROG CROAKS LEAPS

SITS ROCK POND

GREEN SOFT SPLASH

JUMPS SLIMY POWERFULLY

KICKS SUN DIVES

PARROT RED BLUE

YELLOW GREEN BRIGHT

FEATHERS SQUAWKS PERCHES

BRANCH TREE WINGS

SPREADS GLIDES GRACEFULLY

WOLF GROWLS HOWLS

MOON NIGHT MENACING

RUNS SWIFTLY PREY

SNIFFS FANGS DANGER

SLEEK SILVER COAT

MONKEY CHATTERS FLEAS

TREE JUMPS AGILE

BRANCHES SWINGS BERRIES

PLUCKS FRUIT PICKS

ALERT DANGER TAIL

SNAKE SLITHERS HISSES

SCALES TONGUE FORKED

FLICKING GROUND COILED

RAISES HEAD STRIKE

PREPARES ROPE ROUGH

DOLPHIN GRACEFULLY SWIMS

OCEAN TAIL POWERFUL

SLEEK PLAYFUL SPLASHES

TUMBLES DIVES WAVES

FINS STREAMLINED SOMERSAULTS