Year 2 English Lesson Plan: "Poems and Playtime"

Overview

This engaging 40-minute lesson combines the thrill of drama and creativity of poetry, aimed at Year 2 students in New Zealand. It aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum standards for English at the Level 1 tier, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The activities will foster creativity, improve oral language skills, and provide a supportive environment to explore rhymes and narratives through poems and plays.

Objectives

- Students will be able to recite short poems with clear diction, appropriate intonation, and rhythm.
- Students will engage in a dramatised rendition of a classic New Zealand children’s poem.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the poem by participating in a related craft activity.

Curriculum Links

This lesson supports the New Zealand Curriculum standards for English at Level 1, specifically focusing on:
- Processes and strategies to integrate sources of information, processes, and strategies with developing confidence to identify, form, and express ideas. (NZ Curriculum - English)

Materials Needed

- Copies of the poem "My Weta" (a fictional poem relevant for this age group, celebrating a native New Zealand insect)
- Simple costume props (antennae headbands, wings)
- Craft supplies (coloured paper, scissors, glue, markers)
- Speaker or sound system to play rhythmic music

Lesson Details

Introduction (5 minutes)

- Warm-up activity: Begin with a fun action song to settle the class and prepare them for speaking clearly and loudly.
- Introduce the poem: Read aloud the poem "My Weta" while displaying it on the board. Discuss the pronunciation of key words and any new vocabulary.

Main Activity Part 1: Poem Recitation (10 minutes)

- Poem Practice: Divide the class into small groups and distribute copies of the poem "My Weta."
- Group Practice: Allow students to practice the poem in their groups. Encourage them to experiment with loud and soft voices, different speeds, and expressive gestures.

Main Activity Part 2: Play Acting (15 minutes)

- Assign Roles: Assign roles to students within their groups - some as narrators and others as characters (e.g., the Weta, a tree, a bird).
- Rehearsal: Give students time to rehearse their short play, using the poem as their script. Encourage them to use the props to enhance their performance.
- Performance: Allow each group to perform their mini-play in front of the class.

Closing Activity: Craft (10 minutes)

- Craft Instructions: Have students create their own paper Weta or another creature from the poem using the provided craft materials.
- Discussion: As students craft, ask them to think about what part of the poem their creature appeared in and how it contributes to the story or setting.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

- Sharing Time: Invite a few students to share their crafts and explain one line from the poem that relates to their creation.
- Recap: Highlight the importance of expression and creativity in both poetry and plays.

Assessment

- Teacher observations during group practices and performances for clarity, expression, and engagement.
- Participation in the craft activity as it relates to their understanding of the poem.

Extensions

- Students can try writing their own four-line poem about another New Zealand native animal.
- Organise a poetry recital event where students can perform their poems and plays for parents or another class.

Additional Resources

- NZ Poetry Box – A blog for promoting poetry in New Zealand schools.
- TKI - English Online – Provides resources and guidelines for teaching English in New Zealand schools.

By incorporating drama and craft, this lesson plan aims to deepen students' appreciation and understanding of poetry, simultaneously enhancing their speaking and listening skills in a creative and supportive setting.