Poetry Competition

Violet, Max M, Tane, Matilda, Charlie R.

Lola, Max A, Millie H.C., Nate, Tahnul

Harvey, Sophie,WilliamM, Marissa, Cameron, Leticia, Andrea
Ava, Will, Millie S, Charlie S, Josaiah, Olivia, William F

Yes folks, the poetry competition is coming up in Week Five this term.  It's time to begin selecting a poem to learn. 
How long should my poem be?
A good rule of thumb is that if you are seven, your poem should have at least seven lines and if you're eight then it should have at least eight. Some poems with fewer lines may be appropriate, but make sure you are giving yourself plenty of opportunity to show how clever you are!
Remember who your audience is. 
Your audience will be made up of your friends and family. If they love your poem it will make your job of entertaining them so much easier.
What will make the audience (including the judge) enjoy my poem? 

• don't go too fast. I'll say that again just incase you didn't hear me...Don't go too fast!
• if you are enjoying it, your audience is more likely to too. Practise, practise, practise - it helps you relax if you know you are well prepared.
• use different expressions to enhance( improve or make better) the meaning
• use suitable gestures (face, hand or body actions) to show the meaning
• speak clearly enough so that every word can be heard this is really tricky when you're nervous in front of an audience!

Great Websites to Check Out

I LOVE this website. It is really designed for children older than you guys - but the tips on reciting are excellent and there are many videos are available.

Don't forget about the fabulous poems you've written yourself. This website has ideas about writing poetry and the work of other children.

Do you know the poem The Snowball? It was written by Shel Silverstein. He has a fun website with poems and activities galore - check it out here!

I love finding new websites with exciting things to read, look at and listen to! 

This one is a real treasure trove of goodness. You can search the site for poems by author (eg Allan Ahlberg). The feature I love about this website is that you hear the poems being read aloud.

If you're just wanting to read a variety of poems without all the whistles and bells this site certainly has a huge range of possibilities.

Kenn Nesbitt's poems have been recited very successfully at St Albans over the years. Have a read through some of these to see if you can find one that will tickle your fancy.

Jack Prelutski's website is very creative. There are great poems and wonderful artwork too.

Good luck! Don't forget all the wonderful poems you will already have been introduced to since you started school.

We'll have many opportunities for you to practise and get feedback about how you're getting on.

Now I've got to choose one myself to learn and recite ( it won't be 49 lines long though!).