Senses Poem - KS2 Text Types: Writing Planners and Model Texts

Writing poetry allows pupils to explore and develop their use of language. Using this resource pack, pupils in Key Stage 2 will write a poem based on the senses using a range of poetic techniques. This type of KS2 poem does not have a rhyming pattern but the model texts, showing WAGOLL (what a good one looks like), include similes to describe.

The resources are based around the theme of earthquakes and volcanoes but could be adapted to a theme of your choice to link with a current topic or your class’s interests. There is an opportunity to revisit or teach similes.

What is included in this KS2 poetry pack?

• Senses poem model text: Tremors

This model text is a poem that describes an earthquake using the senses and similes.

• Senses poem model text: Lava

This model text is a poem that describes lava from a volcano using the senses and similes.

• Senses poem writing sheet

This contains success criteria for writing poem based on the senses as well as examples of similes.

• Senses poem planning sheet

Pupils can plan ideas for a poem, recording ideas that use the five senses and similes on the worksheet.

• Writing scaffold

A worksheet that includes sentence starts for each line to the poem to support writing.

• Themed writing paper

The writing paper can be used for pupils to present their work.

What is a simile?

Similes are a figure of speech used to compare one thing to another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Simile examples

• Clean as a whistle
• His room was like a pigsty
• This house is as old as the hills
• Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
• As fast as lightning

National Curriculum English programme of study links:

Year 3/4

Pupils should recognise some different forms of poetry.
Pupils should plan their writing by discussing similar writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar.

Year 5 /6
Pupils should discuss and evaluate how authors use language, including figurative language, considering the impact on the reader.
Pupils should draft and write by selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices can change and enhance meaning.

This resource is part of the WAGOLL: text types writing packs collection.
View more from this collection

• Senses poem model text: Lava
• Senses poem model text: Tremors
• Senses poem writing sheet
• Senses poem planning sheet
• Writing scaffold
• Themed writing paper
• Teacher notes