Performance Poetry in Primary Schools: Fun Ideas and Activities

Performance poetry is one of the most exciting ways to bring language alive in the classroom. It gives children the chance to explore rhythm, rhyme, and voice, while building confidence in speaking and listening. From shy pupils to natural performers, everyone can find their place in performance poetry — whether through actions, sound effects, or group recitals.

In this post, you’ll discover a range of performance poetry ideas for KS2 (and KS1 too!) that you can use straight away. These activities are fun, simple to set up, and linked directly to the National Curriculum.

👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.

📅 You can book me for:

In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)

➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland

1. Choral Poetry

Choose a short poem and rehearse it as a class. Split the lines between groups, experiment with echo reading, and try out different voices (whisper, shout, robot, monster).
👉 Why it works: Choral poetry reduces pressure on individuals and helps pupils learn rhythm and pacing together.

👉 Choose A Poem To Use Here

2. Echo Reading

The teacher or a confident pupil reads a line, and the rest of the class repeats it back like an echo. This works brilliantly with poems that use repetition, humour, or rhyme.
👉 Why it works: Echo reading supports memory and fluency, and helps children practise expressive voices.

👉 Use The Dinner Lady Dance Poem (Great for echo reading)

3. Sound Effect Poetry

Take a performance poem and assign sound effects to groups. For example, claps, stomps, howls, or whistles to emphasise certain lines. Poems like Walking With My Iguana or The Ning Nang Nong are perfect for this.
👉 Why it works: Adds fun and energy, and gets every child actively involved.

👉 Related blog: Poetry and Music

4. Poetry Slam!

Give pupils the chance to perform their own short poems in front of the class. Encourage dramatic voices, big gestures, and creativity. Celebrate effort, not just polish!
👉 Why it works: Builds confidence, public speaking skills, and gives pupils ownership of their writing.

Hundreds of FREE poetry ideas, activities and resources-ready to download!

Poems to Try in Class

Gran Can You Rap? – Jack Ousbey
Walking With My Iguana – Brian Moses
Please Mrs Butler – Allan Ahlberg
The Dinner Lady Dance – Ian Bland

Each of these poems has a strong rhythm, humour, and plenty of opportunities for performance.

How Performance Poetry Links to the Curriculum

The National Curriculum requires children to:

Learn poems by heart.
Recite poetry aloud.
Discuss rhythm, rhyme, and meaning.
Perform their own writing with confidence.

Performance poetry ticks all of these boxes — while keeping lessons lively, memorable, and fun.

Teacher Tips

Start small — begin with group or pair performances before moving to solos.
Encourage exaggeration — bigger voices and gestures usually lead to better performances.
Use simple props — hats, torches, or instruments can transform a recital into a performance.
Celebrate effort — the aim is enjoyment and confidence, not perfection.

Conclusion

Performance poetry transforms the way children experience language. It builds confidence, supports the curriculum, and most importantly, makes poetry fun. By using activities like choral poetry, echo reading, and sound effects, you can help every child shine.

See 7 of the best poems for KS2 assemblies here

🎤 Want to see poetry LIVE in your school?

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