Pantoums Lesson Plan - KS3

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Pantoums are a great way of introducing more complex poetic forms to pupils in their transition from primary to secondary school learning.

A Pantoum's structure is strict but simpler than a sonnet or ballad. It consists of linked quatrains (4-line verses) usually using the rhyme scheme a, b, a, b, although Pantoums don't have to rhyme. The second and fourth lines of the first quatrain are repeated as the first and third of the next. In the final stanza, the first and third lines of the very first quatrain become the second and fourth lines, but in reverse order, therefore the Pantoum begins and ends with the same lines.

A complex Pantoum combines a rhyme scheme and repetition meaning a technical piece of poetry is produced with maximum effect and this is what this lesson plan is designed to produce.

Set your pupils a theme perhaps based on a topic or book being studied; current affairs or simply leave the subject matter to their own preference. By basing the poetic form on a cross-curricular subject this lesson plan can be adapted for higher year groups accordingly.

Once a theme has been decided for the class or as individuals the easiest way to start is to write out the rhyme the Pantoum follows and for pupils to start jotting down their ideas. If a rhyme scheme fails, a redraft of a line or two should solve the problem. If you have pupils that do struggle with this form we suggest working in pairs.

Here are two examples of a Pantoum. The italicised lines represent the repeated lines in each quatrain and the words in bold indicate the rhyme scheme.

'Teenage Angst Pantoum'

A No one understands what it's like to be me (1)
B In a world of colour all I can see is black (2)
A I feel constrained with no one to set me free (3)
B Sometimes it's too much, I feel I could crack (4)

A In a world of colour all I can see is black (2)
B And I can't find the rainbow's end (5)
A Sometimes it's too much, I feel I could crack (4)
B I wonder if my spirit will ever mend (6)

A And I can't find the rainbow's end (5)
B I'm not giving up, I won't give in (7)
A I wonder if my spirit will ever mend (6)
B This teenage battle I want to win (8)

A I'm not giving up, I won't give in (7)
B I feel constrained with no one to set me free (3)
A This teenage battle I want to win (8)
B No one understands what it's like to be me. (1)


'World War II Pantoum'

A Remember those who died for us (1)
B They did not die in vain (2)
A They gave their lives and their trust (3)
B So atrocities of war are never again (4)

A They did not die in vain (2)
B Wear a poppy each November (5)
A So atrocities of war are never again (4)
B We must never forget, but remember (6)

A Wear a poppy each November (5)
B Honour those so brave (7)
A We must never forget, but remember (6)
B Our freedom they did pave (8)

A Honour those so brave (7)
B They gave their lives and their trust (3)
A Our freedom they did pave (8)
B Remember those who died for us. (1)