Page 6 - Enjoying Words (EW) Comprehension & literature

Talk about the descriptive words, the rhythm, the similes, etc. Let the children illustrate the poem. Let
them share whether they like that kind of poem or not, giving reasons.

LESSON 4

To use similes and metaphors
Read and discuss the poem, ‘Tartary’ by Walter de la Mare.

www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/walter-de-la-mare/tartary

Talk about the use of similes and metaphors to add interest in poetry. Let the children imagine they
are Lord or Lady of an imaginary place and write their own poem using similes and metaphors. Take
time to discuss ideas with the children first.

LESSON 5

To share poems
Let the children read out their poems from the previous week so that others may share ideas of how
they could be improved. The children may like to illustrate their poems and/or make changes following
the constructive comments of other children.

LESSON 6

To create an amusing cat character
Read and discuss some of TS Elliot’s poems from the book ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’. E.g.
Macavity, The Rum Tum Tigger

www.coral.lili.unibielefeld.de/Classes/Summer97/SemGS/WebLex/OldPossum /oldpossumlex

Ask the children who has a cat of their own. Talk about the different kinds of cat. Discuss with the
children how to create a cat character of their own. Let them write a description of a cat in a
paragraph – its appearance, its character, its habits, its name, etc.

LESSON 7

To write a poem from prose
Read a few more of TS Elliot’s cat poems and note the rhythm, clap the beat, count the syllables, etc.
Give examples of prose being turned into poetry, eg

Rolly Tom was an amusing cat, especially when he began to tell jokes when he had his funny hat on.

Rolly Tom, the amusing cat,
Loved telling jokes, in a funny hat

Help the children to write poems from the prose they wrote in the last lesson. Let them write drafts
first, counting the beats, noting the rhymes, etc. A fair copy could be written up after the teacher has
checked the draft.

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