Classic Narrative Poems Noyes Maggie and the Dinosaur Dave Ward The Works

Sample planning :

Genre: Poetry Unit 2 – Classic/Narrative poems.

Focus Texts: ‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes. ‘Maggie and the Dinosaur’ by Dave Ward.‘The Works’ (poetry anthology) by Paul Cookson. ‘The Puffin book of utterly brilliant poetry’ (Anthology) edited by Brian Patten.

Prepare to share a narrative poem from an anthology: Maggie & the Dinosaur, p463 in The Works by Paul Cookson.

Explain that an Anthology is a collection of poems specially chosen by a person: an anthologist.

Highlight that Narrative poems are poems which tell a story. Point out that not all narrative poems have the same structure although each poem will probably have its own! They often have many verses just like a song, with each verse telling the next part of the story.

Ask the children to respond to the narrative poem we shared. Which parts, lines & words did they enjoy the most? Did they like the way that the poem was read? Narrative poems are often long so they need to be read in a way that keeps the audience interested from start to finish. Just like a good story reader would make a story sound interesting.

Children to be split into mixed ability groups of four and given copies of two poems:

‘Dave Dirt’s Christmas presents’ and ‘GreedyGuts’ both by Kit Wright.

Ask the question: how can you be sure that you are looking at a narrative poem? They should decide which they would like to share with the class. How are they going to read it?

Altogether, in pairs, individually on rotation? Allow each group time & space to practice for presentation.

Groups to present their poems.

Other groups to offer constructive feedback.

Success Criteria:

• I know that a narrative poem is one which tells a story.

• I can contribute to a group activity, taking turns where necessary.