This resource encourages children in Years 5 and 6 to investigate two of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets – looking at themes and structure – before composing their own poems.
In Key Stage 2, pupils should study the work of William Shakespeare and explore a variety of different poems. He was a master wordsmith and his plays contain language that we still use today. These activities explore his sonnets, reading two examples and exploring their themes.
Pupils will learn how sonnets are structured and have the opportunity to write their own.
The activities could be taught as part of a unit on Shakespeare, poetry or to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in April and may be taught over a series of lessons.
- Sonnet 18 & Sonnet 27
- Exploring themes worksheet
- Shakespeare themed writing paper
- Teacher’s notes
National Curriculum English Programme of Study links
Year 5/6 Reading
Pupils should be taught to maintain positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by:
- increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books including ... fiction from our literary heritage
- identifying and discussing themes and conventions in and across a wide range of writing
Pupils should be taught to understand what they read by:
- identifying how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning
Pupils should be taught to discuss and evaluate how authors have used language, including figurative language, considering the impact on the reader
Year 5/6 Writing
Pupils should be taught to plan their writing by:
- identifying the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own
- noting and developing initial ideas, drawing on reading a research where necessary