Poems About the Seasons for KS2 Classrooms ๐ฑโ๏ธ๐โ๏ธ
One of the simplest ways to inspire children to write and enjoy poetry is to connect it to the natural world around them. The changing seasons provide ready-made inspiration: crisp autumn leaves, snowy winter mornings, spring blossoms, and hot summer days on the playground.
Seasonal poems are brilliant for KS2 because they:
Give pupils an immediate, relatable theme
Encourage the use of vivid vocabulary and imagery
Provide opportunities for cross-curricular learning in science, geography and art
Work beautifully for performance in class assemblies
Here are some tried-and-tested poems and activities to bring the four seasons alive in your classroom.
๐ In myย Poetry Daysย 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 Iโd love to work with your children and teachers.
๐ You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Daysย across the UK
Online Poetry Workshopsย (affordable and flexible)
โก Secure your date here: Poets in Schools โ Ian Bland
๐ฑ Spring โ New Life and Fresh Starts
Poem Idea: Daffodils by William Wordsworth (an abridged version works well for KS2). ๐ Find the poem here
Classroom activity:
Go on a โspring walkโ around the school grounds and list everything that shows signs of new life.
Challenge pupils to create similes and metaphors: โbuds bursting like fireworksโ or โa carpet of daisies like stars on the grass.โ
Write short โSpring Haikusโ (5โ7โ5 syllables) and display them with illustrations of flowers and animals.
๐ For more inspiration with rhythm and structure, see my blog Teaching Rhyme and Rhythm in KS2 Made Easy.
๐ Related:ย Haiku Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Cinquain Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Spring Acrostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Spring Mesostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Spring Telestich Poem Writing Framework
โ๏ธ Summer โ Sunshine and Freedom
Poem Idea: Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson. ๐ Find the poem here
Classroom activity:
Ask pupils to describe the sounds and smells of summer โ ice cream vans, cut grass, buzzing bees.
Create a class performance poem where each child contributes one line about something they love about summer.
Try โSummer Shape Poemsโ written inside outlines of suns, beach balls or ice creams.
๐ If youโd like more fun writing challenges, try my blog on Creative Classroom Challenges.
๐ Related:ย Summer Acrostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Summer Mesostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Summer Telestich Poem Writing Framework
๐ Autumn โ Change and Colour
Poem Idea: To Autumn by John Keats (short extracts). ๐ Find the poem here
Classroom activity:
Bring in autumn leaves, conkers, or acorns and use them as inspiration for a descriptive word bank.
Write โAutumn Kenningsโ like โleaf-cruncher, conker-hunter, bonfire-sparkler.โ
Hold a mini โAutumn Poetry Slamโ with spooky or harvest-themed performances.
๐ Youโll find more seasonal fun in my blog Spooky Classroom Poetry Games ๐.
๐ Related:ย Haiku Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Cinquain Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Autumn Acrostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Autumn Mesostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Autumn Telestich Poem Writing Framework
โ๏ธ Winter โ Cold and Celebration
Poem Idea: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. ๐ Find the poem here
Classroom activity:
Write โWinter Acrosticsโ using words like SNOW, COLD, or FROST.
Encourage children to describe winter sounds: the crunch of footsteps in snow, the whistle of the wind.
Link to Christmas by writing festive poems in the shape of a tree, star or stocking.
๐ For more festive ideas, check out Christmas Shape Poems for KS2 and Simple and Fun Writing Ideas for Your Class This Christmas.
๐ Related:ย Haiku Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Cinquain Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Winter Acrostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Winter Mesostic Poem Writing Framework
๐ Related:ย Winter Telestich Poem Writing Framework
Why Seasonal Poems Work So Well in KS2
โ๏ธ Children always have something to say โ theyโve lived through the seasons and know them well.
โ๏ธ Builds rich descriptive vocabulary and imagery.
โ๏ธ Provides opportunities for performance, art displays and cross-curricular learning.
โ๏ธ Makes poetry feel fresh and relevant throughout the year.
๐ Teachers: If youโd like even more inspiration, explore my blogs Quick & Easy Poetry Starters for KS2 and 7 Brilliant Poems for KS2 Assemblies.