Poetry in RE Lessons: Spiritual and Reflective Writing in KS2
Introduction 🌟
RE lessons are all about exploring beliefs, values, and big questions. Adding poetry into the mix gives children a safe, creative way to reflect, express emotions, and think deeply. Religious education poetry KS2 activities can make topics more memorable while also supporting literacy.
From reflective free verse to list poems of values, poetry in RE helps pupils develop empathy, respect, and spiritual awareness — all key parts of the KS2 curriculum.
🔗 Related: Poetry for Assembly: Performance Ideas for KS2
Why Use Poetry in RE Lessons? 🙏
Encourages reflection – children can process big questions in creative ways.
Builds empathy – poetry helps pupils understand other people’s beliefs and values.
Supports SMSC and PSHE – links spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.
Perfect for assemblies – poems can be performed and shared with the wider school.
🔗 Related: Free Verse Poetry KS2 • List Poems for KS2
Example Poems for RE Lessons 📝
Reflective Free Verse
I light a candle,
its flame a whisper
in the silence.
I think of peace,
of hands joined together,
of voices singing hope.
Haiku on Awe
Stars blaze in the night,
a million questions shimmer —
infinity calls.
List Poem of Values
Respect,
kindness,
forgiveness,
truth,
hope,
love,
the things we carry
into the world.
Cinquain on Prayer
Prayer,
Quiet, thoughtful,
Listening, thanking, asking,
A moment with my God,
Faith.
These varied forms show how different poetry techniques (free verse, haiku, list poem, cinquain) can be adapted to RE themes.
Classroom Activities 🔍
Candle Reflection
Show pupils a lit candle. Ask them to write a short free verse poem about what it makes them think or feel.Haikus of Wonder
Use haiku to capture awe at nature, creation, or festivals of light.List Poems of Values
After discussing key values (e.g. forgiveness, respect, peace), children create list poems that can be displayed in class or used in assembly.Poetic Prayers
Children write a short cinquain or free verse poem as a reflective prayer.
RE Topics That Work Well for Poetry ✨
Festivals of Light – Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid
Sacred Places – churches, mosques, temples, synagogues
Creation Stories – awe and wonder at the natural world
Values and Beliefs – forgiveness, kindness, respect, hope
Special People – leaders, prophets, inspirational figures
🔗 Related: Assembly Poetry for KS2 • Science Poetry KS2
Tips for Teachers 👩🏫
Provide visual or sensory prompts (candles, music, images of sacred places).
Encourage pupils to link poetry to personal reflection as well as learning about others.
Use poems as part of assemblies or class services.
Allow time for performance and discussion, not just writing.
Final Thoughts 💡
Poetry fits naturally into RE, giving children a voice to explore values, beliefs, and awe. With religious education poetry KS2, lessons become more reflective, inclusive, and inspiring.
👉 If you’d like pupils to experience this in a lively, memorable way, why not book one of my Poetry Days in schools? My workshops link poetry to curriculum areas like RE, history, and science, giving your class creative tools to explore the big questions of life.
