Learning Objectives• Learn what a riddle poem is and how to write one• Discuss your ideas and offer opinions and suggestions in

a group discussion• Expand vocabulary• Includes speaking, listening, reading and writing activities• Plan, draft and write a riddle poem for ‘Little Riddlers’

poetry competition

Preparation• Bookmark lesson video, which complements this

lesson plan• Ensure you have a planning sheet / entry form for

each pupil• You can download all the resources you need and watch

the video at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/little-riddlers

Main Teaching ActivityStart the video. The narrator will introduce the riddle writing activity to pupils before giving an example. As the narrator reads out the riddle poem, images will appear on screen – the answer to the riddle is revealed at some point! Tell pupils to keep their eyes peeled!At the end of the example the narrator will show a grid with the answer hidden behind the squares. Pause the video and ask pupils if they know the answer – discuss their suggestions.Next, the video will remove each square, revealing a bit of the answer each time… did your pupils solve the riddle poem? Did they enjoy it? The narrator will now explain how to write a riddle by giving 6 top tips and an example of each one, which will help your pupils write their own awesome riddle:

• Have at least 6 clues• Use present tense• Use lots of description• Try to trick the reader • Have a clever title – that gives away a clue• Finish with the question - what (or who) am I?

Finally, the narrator will give your pupils an idea so that you can work together to write a class riddle. The top tips will appear on screen, so you can pause the video to ensure these are available for your class as you create your riddle poem.Once written, read over the poem and see if pupils have any suggestions on how to edit the poem to make it the best it can be. Once this activity has been completed your pupils are ready to write their own poem using the Little Riddlers Planning Sheet / Entry Form. Please ensure they write their name, surname and age on their work.

P.T.O.

For 5-7 Year-Olds

Optional Activity

Little

IntroductionExplain to pupils that today they will be writing a poem for Young Writers’ ‘Little Riddlers’ poetry competition. Tell them that they can write a riddle poem about anything they like such as an object, a person, a place, an animal or food etc.

(45 Minutes)

(5 Minutes)

Email: info@youngwriters.co.uk Website: www.youngwriters.co.uk

NotesThis lesson takes approximately an hour to complete, depending on the size and ability of the class. You can provide additional time for pupils to write their poem, should you wish to. The main teaching activity can be done in class time (approximately 40 minutes) and poems can be written as homework.

Suggestions• Challenge more able pupils by asking them to research and write a Kennings poem, which is a trickier form of a riddle

poem or suggest they try to make their riddle have a rhyme scheme

• For less able pupils provide them with a subject to base their riddle poem on

• Less able pupils can work in pairs or small groups and have an adult’s assistance

• To extend the activity, ask pupils to edit their riddle

• To extend the activity, ask pupils to learn their poem off by heart and perform it to the rest of the class

• This activity can also be used as a wet playtime, after school club or homework activity

Video lesson available alongside lots of other fantastic free resources at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/little-riddlers

PlenaryAsk the children to work in pairs to read their poem to their partner. Their partner is to provide feedback; something they liked about the poem and a suggestion on how to improve it. With younger children their poem can be worked on in small groups or with an adult’s assistance. Once feedback has been received, allow pupils extra time to make any changes to their work.

(10 Minutes)