In Class 1, we enjoy learning and reciting poems each day through ‘The Poetry Basket’. Over time, children learn new poems with actions, gradually building a ‘library’ of poems that they can confidently perform.

What does this look like?

• Daily repetition: Children revisit the same poem throughout the week, helping it become familiar and memorable.
• Actions and expression: We use actions, rhythm and intonation to bring each poem to life.
• Short, memorable poems: Carefully chosen poems (often 4–8 lines) make learning accessible and enjoyable for all children.

Why do we use Poetry Basket?

Learning poetry together supports many important areas of early development:

• Language and vocabulary
  Children encounter new words in a meaningful context and often begin to predict their meanings independently.
• Phonological awareness (early reading skills)
  Hearing and repeating rhyme, rhythm and syllables helps children tune into the sounds of language—an essential foundation for reading.
• Memory and pattern recognition
  Repetition strengthens memory and helps children recognise patterns, supporting both literacy and early mathematical thinking.
• Confidence and communication
  Children grow in confidence as they recite poems together, and many begin to perform independently with expression and pride.
• Inclusive and accessible
  Actions and repetition support all children to participate fully.
• Connection and enjoyment
  Reciting poetry together is a shared, joyful experience that builds a sense of belonging within the class.

Most importantly…

Poetry Basket makes language fun, memorable and meaningful—helping children develop a lifelong love of words.

We hope you enjoy watching the videos of the children performing their poems. They really capture the joy, confidence and expression that develop over time.