š¾ Pet Poems KS2 | Fun & Creative Classroom Ideas
Pets are a huge part of childrenās lives ā from cuddly cats and loyal dogs to goldfish, tortoises, or even the more unusual ones! Thatās why Pet Poems KS2 are such a brilliant way to get children writing, performing, and laughing together.
In this blog, youāll find a selection of funny, imaginative poems about pets ā perfect for the classroom. Alongside each poem, Iāve suggested comprehensive literacy activities designed to help pupils develop vocabulary, creativity, and performance skills.
šĀ In myĀ Poetry DaysĀ 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 Iād love to work with your children and teachers.
š You can book me for:
In-person Poetry DaysĀ across the UK
Online Poetry WorkshopsĀ (affordable and flexible)
ā” Secure your date here:Ā Poets in Schools ā Ian Bland
š¹ Bring Your Pet To School Day!
Charlotte brought a hamster in and it had tiny little feet
And it wasnāt such a problem
till it pooped on someoneās seatā¦
Terri brought her dog in and it seemed a lot of fun
But then it got a bit annoyed
And bit Miss Brindle on her bumā¦
Arthur brought a tortoise in and we got to feed it twice!
And Billy brought a tiger in
And it wasnāt very niceā¦
Jordan brought a skunk in and it was going rather well
Until it ran into the corner
And made a certain smellā¦
Alice brought her goldfish in but then dropped it on the floor
She put it back into the bowl
But itās not swimming anymoreā¦
Jenson brought a snake in and we watched it eating mice!
And Billy brought a tiger in
And it wasnāt very niceā¦
Charlotte brought her mouse in, the little chapās called Vince
She let him wander round the classroom
We havenāt seen him sinceā¦
Basil brought his cat in itās never been outside his house
He was being very well behaved
(We think itās eaten Charlotteās mouseā¦)
Ruby brought a penguin in and we had to get some ice!
And Billy brought a tiger in
And it wasnāt very niceā¦
Shelly brought a shark in with a gorgeous toothy smile
It took a liking to our teacher
We havenāt seen her in a whileā¦
Bella brought a crocodile in with a giant bumpy back
It befriended Rubyās penguin
And mistook it for a snack!
Polly brought her parrot in, a bird from paradiseā¦
And Billy brought a tiger in
And it wasnāt very niceā¦
āļø Activities:
List Poem Writing: Use this as a model for a list poem. Children brainstorm unusual or funny pets they could ābring to schoolā and write their own verses.
Performance Poetry: Perform as a whole class with sound effects (animal noises, squeals, claps). Builds confidence and rhythm.
Science Link š¬: Research one unusual pet (e.g. penguins, crocodiles) ā link to habitats. Great cross-curricular opportunity.
Art Link šØ: Create illustrations of their chosen pet in school and turn the verses into a class display.
š Related blog: Funny Poems KS2: Laughter in the Classroom
š Mr Hogg ā The Teacher That Loves Dogs (Room K9)
Heās a strange looking teacher Mr Hogg
Heās got a massive forehead, pointy ears, high cheek bones
Beady eyes, full mouth but a
Miniature schnauzer
When he wants the attention of the class he whines or paws you
Too hot in the classroom? He starts to pant!
He uses a Pointer for the whiteboard but it keeps running off
I was shocked at first when he had a wee on a table leg
But Iām used to it now
If you get a question right in maths
He wags his bum ā really!
He makes us fetch sticks in PE, he calls playtime āwalkies!ā
Geography is mostly focussed on Chiwauwua in Mexico and Pekingese in China
Lunch time for him is āchow chowā time
We celebrate St Bernardās day every year at our school without fail (when itās snowing)
Iām totally sick of his jokes about using a pencil Sharpei ner
In art we donāt do much painting but a lot of Labradoodling
I wouldnāt be surprised if he loved dogs more than his twin boys
Jack and Russell
Favourite car? A Rover. Favourite chocolate? Maltese-ers/ Yorkie
It goes without saying our teacher Mr Hogg ā loves dogs.
āļø Activities:
Kennings Poems: Children write kennings (dog-describing compound phrases) to create their own verses about Mr Hogg.
PSHE Link ā¤ļø: Discuss pets at home ā how do we look after them responsibly?
Wordplay Focus: Explore all the dog-based puns (Pointer, Sharpei ner, Labradoodling). Challenge children to create new animal puns for other subjects.
Performance Idea š¤: Perform with ādog-likeā behaviour ā panting, whining, wagging. Encourages expression and drama.
š Related blog: Kennings Poems KS2 | Fun Writing Ideas
š Mr McMillan ā The Teacher Thatās A Supervillain
Iām the cat
That sits on the lap
Of Mr McMillan the supervillain teacher
His dangerous creature
His jet-black attack pet
His not so cute feline brute
His crabby grouchy tabby
His nitty picky kitty
Iām hard to please
Iām dangerous
Iām unpredictable
Iām unaccountable
I ruin peopleās lives
I appear out of nowhere…
My name is OFSTED
I donāt know whyā¦
His class of 30 now down to 13
Unlucky for someā¦
Children disappear here
Flick of a switch their chair tilts backwards andā¦
āCan I go to the toiletā¦ā¦ā¦.?ā
Gone
āItās not fairā¦ā¦ā¦..!ā
Gone
ā7×7 is 40ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦!ā
Gone
āIāve got rightsā¦ā¦ā¦!ā
Gone
I donāt know where they go but I will say this ā
Mr McMillanās sharks look very well fedā¦
āļø Activities:
Characterisation: Children create their own āsupervillain teacherā with a pet sidekick (dragon, snake, tarantula).
Rhyme & Repetition: Spot repeated patterns (āGoneā) and discuss how repetition builds rhythm.
Drama Link š: Perform the poem as a mock villain monologue. Add dramatic pauses and exaggerated voices.
PSHE Discussion: Explore fairness and classroom rules ā link to anti-bullying.
š Related blog: Performance Poetry KS2 | Fun Ideas for Assemblies
š± Beware of the Cat
āļø Activities:
Visual Literacy: Use the shape poem to discuss how illustrations and text can combine.
Creative Challenge: Children create their own animal shape poems (dog bone, fish, tortoise shell).
Class Display: Create a āBeware of theā¦ā poetry wall with childrenās own humorous warning signs.
š Related blog: Shape Poems KS2 | Concrete Poetry Examples
šÆ Why Pet Poems Work So Well in KS2
Pet poems are relatable, funny, and brilliant for performance. They build:
Vocabulary š (using animal words, kennings, descriptive detail).
Confidence š¤ (performing funny poems aloud).
Cross-curricular links š (science, art, PSHE).
Enjoyment š ā poetry that children want to read and write.
šĀ In myĀ Poetry DaysĀ 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 Iād love to work with your children and teachers.
š You can book me for:
In-person Poetry DaysĀ across the UK
Online Poetry WorkshopsĀ (affordable and flexible)
ā” Secure your date here:Ā Poets in Schools ā Ian Bland