This Year 2 writing unit from our Real Writing collection uses an original mesostic poem by Joshua Seigal as the central text.
Over two to three weeks, pupils will explore the poem’s structure, identify the hidden word, and investigate the creative techniques the poet uses.
They will develop their understanding of compound nouns by inventing names for minibeasts and learn to use adjectives to create detailed noun phrases.
Pupils will also practise writing sentences punctuated with question and exclamation marks, reinforcing their punctuation skills.
At the end of the unit, the children will compose their own mesostic poems, describing a chosen minibeast and its habitat. This unit links to science learning on living things and their microhabitats.
Resources included
- PDF versions of the model poem (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- PowerPoint presentations (annotated and non-annotated)
- Minibeast identification mat
- Vocabulary cards and matching activities
- Writer’s checklist and planning sheets
- Themed writing paper
- Lesson plans for two to three weeks
Key skills and curriculum links
- English: forming nouns by compounding words, creating noun phrases with adjectives, punctuating sentences with question and exclamation marks, using subordinating conjunctions, writing contracted words correctly, proofreading for spelling, grammar and punctuation, reading aloud
- Science: living things, habitats, microhabitats
Vocabulary
- Common exception words: floor, behind, wild, climb, cold, beautiful, fast, eye, water, plant
- Tier 2 words: huddling, scuttle
- Tier 3 words: antennae, crustacean, environment, habitat, predator, shell
Activities and teaching sequence
Familiarisation with the poem
- Conduct a minibeast hunt in the school grounds using the identification mat.
- Read the poem aloud before revealing the text. Discuss what pupils think the poet is describing.
- Highlight the mesostic structure and explore the verbs in the poem. Pupils act out actions and guess what the minibeast is doing.
Vocabulary exploration
- Introduce Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary using word cards and matching activities.
- Encourage pupils to identify these words in the text and match them to definitions and illustrations.
Performing the poem
- Model fluent reading with expressive voice.
- Pupils practise performing the poem in pairs or groups, incorporating actions to represent verbs.
Understanding and research
- Use a worksheet to identify characteristics of the minibeast described in the poem.
- Pupils can add extra details through independent research or illustration.
Writing activities
- Plan and write a short recount of a minibeast hunt. Use time adverbials to sequence events.
- Compose a mesostic poem about a chosen minibeast using the writer’s checklist. Support pupils with sentence construction, punctuation, adjectives, compound nouns, and contracted words.
- Encourage pupils to perform self-assessment and peer review using the checklist.
Presenting outcomes
- Pupils produce a final draft on themed writing paper.
- Display poems with illustrations of the chosen minibeasts.
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Recognise and understand the structure of a mesostic poem
- Create compound nouns and descriptive noun phrases
- Use question marks and exclamation marks accurately
- Plan, write, edit and present a short poem or recount
- Apply vocabulary from English and science confidently
- Read their writing aloud, checking for clarity and correctness