WWF activity on exploring feelings

Swallows on telephone lines. Click here to download a large printable version.

You will need
The swallows on telephone lines and the waterlands photos
Exploring feelings activity sheet

Waterlands. Click here to download a large printable version.

Procedure

• Discuss the two photos.  Have the children ever seen swallows on telephone lines? Or skimming water? Can they describe the swallow? What do they know about this bird
• Ask the children to make lists of suitable words to describe the way swallows fly using:
  double consonants – swoop, swish, swerve
  alliteration – diving, dipping, ducking
  adverbs – gracefully, smoothly, silently
  rhyming words – swallow, hollow, follow
• Read both poems on the activity sheet with the children. Talk about the similarities and differences in length, content, mood, vocabulary and the use of poetic language. For example:
  Poem 1 uses optimistic, happy, cheerful vocabulary; the concept is simple: fly away and come back. Repetition and rhymes give the poem a melodious rhythm.
  Poem 2 uses archaic vocabulary and spelling which conveys a sense of gloom and melancholy, the preparation for a long and weary journey.
• Ask the children to write poems about the swallow using their word list as a class, group or individual organisation.
• WWF-UK's On the Line Swallows photopack contains additional photos which will allow you to take this activity further.
  

Fact box - ideas for writing poetry

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