Year 2 Classical Poetry Activities

Inspire a Love of Language Through Classic Poetry

Introduce Year 2 children to the beauty and rhythm of classical poetry with six timeless poems that spark imagination and develop literacy skills. This carefully curated collection combines beloved verses with engaging activities that build comprehension, vocabulary, and creative expression—perfectly aligned to the National Curriculum for English.

Featured Poems:

• The Elf and The Dormouse – Whimsical tale of woodland creatures that captivates young readers
• The Wind – Explore personification and sensory language through nature poetry
• Caterpillar – Discover transformation and the natural world through verse
• The Swing – Classic poem celebrating childhood joy and movement
• A Memory – Reflective verse that encourages personal connections and emotional literacy
• The Months – Learn about seasons and the passage of time through rhythmic poetry

Learning Outcomes:

Children will develop fluency in reading aloud, recognize rhyme and rhythm patterns, and explore figurative language including personification and imagery. Activities encourage personal response to poetry, build vocabulary, and support comprehension skills while meeting Year 2 English objectives for reading and understanding 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 that engage mixed-ability learners. Perfect for building confidence in reading aloud, developing appreciation for literary heritage, and inspiring children to write their own poems.