How to memorise a poem

Part of Language and LiteracyTalking and listeningYear 2

An illustration of a young girl pointing and a bubble saying 'Remember'.

How to remember poetry

When you remember a poem, you learn it so well that you can say it out loud perfectly.

To help you remember a poem:

  • think about the story the poem is telling

  • focus on the rhythm (the beat) of the poem

  • practise

An illustration of a young girl pointing and a bubble saying 'Remember'.
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Watch: Memorising a poem

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An illustration of a young boy thinking.

Watch: Michael Rosen perform Chocolate Cake

Once you have remembered a poem, you can try performing it!

Watch Michael Rosen perform his poem Chocolate Cake. He does lots of things to make sure that his performance is interesting to watch.

Think about the questions below as you are watching. Discuss them with a friend or an adult if you can.

  1. How does Michael change his voice when he's reading his poem?

  2. Does he change the way his face looks?

  3. How does he move and what does he do with his hands?

An illustration of a young boy thinking.

Watch Michael Rosen perform his poem 'Chocolate Cake'.

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Activity 1

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The caterpillar became a butterfly

Activity 2

Here is a poem called The Caterpillar written by Christina Rossetti.

It's about a caterpillar getting ready to change into a butterfly!

Brown and furry
Caterpillar in a hurry,
Take your walk
To the shady leaf, or stalk,
Or what not,
Which may be the chosen spot.
No toad spy you,
Hovering bird of prey pass by you;
Spin and die,
To live again a butterfly.

The caterpillar became a butterfly

Read the poem again carefully and think about the story that is being told.

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Activity 3

Remember how Michael Rosen used actions when he performed Chocolate Cake? You are going to create some actions to help you remember The Caterpillar.

Work through the poem, one line at a time, and think about actions for each one.

For example:

  • On the line 'Caterpillar in a hurry' you could run on the spot as if you are rushing to get somewhere.
  • On the line 'Spin and die' you could turn around in a circle.

Top tip

You can write down your actions, if it helps you to remember them.

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A girl smiling beside the poetry activity.

Activity 4

Choose four lines from the poem. Practise saying them out loud along with the actions.

Now try without looking at the text. Can you perform your four lines for a friend or family member?

If you are feeling ambitious, try saying eight lines out loud, with actions, without looking at the text!

Can you remember the whole poem?

A girl smiling beside the poetry activity.
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