Year 1 Classical Poetry Activities

Discover the Magic of Classic Poetry

Introduce Year 1 children to the enchanting world of poetry with six timeless verses that spark imagination and build early literacy skills. This carefully selected collection features familiar favourites and delightful discoveries, combining rhythm, rhyme, and rich language to develop reading fluency and a lifelong love of poetry—perfectly aligned to the National Curriculum for English.

Featured Poems:

• A Wise Old Owl – Traditional verse teaching wisdom and observation through nature
• The Cloud – Explore the sky and weather through vivid, descriptive language
• The Field Daisy – Celebrate the beauty of wildflowers and the natural world
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Beloved classic that connects poetry to song and wonder
• We Have A Little Garden – Discover growing things and seasonal change through verse
• What Is Pink – Playful exploration of colours and descriptive vocabulary

Learning Outcomes:

Children will develop confidence in reading aloud, recognize rhyme and rhythm patterns, and build vocabulary through rich, descriptive language. Activities encourage personal response to poetry, support phonics development, and introduce figurative language while meeting Year 1 English objectives for reading and appreciating classic and contemporary poetry.

Why Teachers Love This Resource:

Ready-to-teach lessons bring poetry to life with minimal preparation required. Each poem includes discussion prompts, comprehension activities, and creative response tasks perfect for early readers. Ideal for building confidence in reading aloud, developing listening skills, and creating a positive, joyful introduction to literary heritage.