People Need People

Overview

A 30-minute interactive lesson designed for Year 1 students to perform the poem People Need People using actions to deepen understanding of rhythm, rhyme, and meaning. This plan fully aligns with the National Curriculum for England (English – Years 1: Spoken Language and Reading domains).

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, children will:

• Recognise and recite a poem, focusing on rhyme and rhythm (Reading: Word Reading, National Curriculum Years 1)
• Develop speaking and listening skills: express ideas clearly and respond to others (Spoken Language, Years 1)
• Use physical movement to demonstrate understanding of vocabulary and meaning (Speaking and Listening - performance element)
• Collaborate effectively in groups to perform a poem (Personal, Social and Emotional Development links)

National Curriculum references:

• Reading: Word Reading (NC English, Y1): "Apply phonic knowledge and skills as the route to decode words" (phonic decoding required for unfamiliar words in the poem).
• Spoken Language (NC English, Y1): "Listen and respond appropriately to adults and their peers" and “Participate in discussion, offering their own ideas.”
• Reading: Comprehension (NC English, Y1): “Draw on what they already know or on background information and vocabulary provided by the teacher.”

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Resources

• Printed copies of the poem People Need People (large print, with key words highlighted)
• Space for movement or classroom area cleared
• Visual prompts (picture cards illustrating key words/actions from the poem)
• Audio recording of the poem (optional)
• Simple props for actions (optional)

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details
0-5 min	Introduction & Engagement

• Gather students in a circle.
• Introduce the poem People Need People.
• Read it aloud expressively first, emphasising rhyme and rhythm to engage children.
• Ask students: “What do you think this poem is about?” to activate prior knowledge and vocabulary.
  | 5-10 min | Understanding through Actions |
• Break down the poem into short lines or stanzas.
• Discuss key words and what they mean (e.g., people, help, smile). Use picture cards.
• As a class, brainstorm simple, whole-body actions to match each key word or phrase.
• Examples: linking arms for ‘together’, big smiles for ‘happy’, stepping forward for ‘help’.
  | 10-25 min | Learning and Performing the Poem |
• Repeat the poem in small chunks, encouraging children to say the words and perform the agreed actions.
• Model expression: changes in volume, pace, facial expressions.
• Divide class into small groups of 5; each group rehearses their version of the actions with the poem.
• Support groups to help students remember words by linking actions and rhythm.
• Circulate and give positive feedback.
  | 25-30 min | Sharing and Reflection |
• Groups perform their poem with actions to the class.
• Discuss what they liked about performing.
• Recap vocabulary and ideas learned.
• Quick assessment checklist completed by teacher:
  • Participation and engagement
  • Ability to perform the poem and use actions appropriately
  • Listening and following instructions

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Assessment & Next Steps

• Formative assessment through observation of participation and understanding during activities.
• Use simple oral plenary questions to assess comprehension of poem meaning and vocabulary.
• Next lesson: Create own actions for another short poem or explore rhyming words within People Need People.

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Differentiation

• Provide printed poem with images for lower-attaining pupils.
• For higher-attaining pupils, encourage creating their own additional actions or adding sounds.
• Support speaking by pairing less confident children with buddies during group work.

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Reflection for Teachers

• Did the pupils confidently link actions to words/meaning?
• How effectively did the children work in groups?
• Were the children able to identify rhyming words and rhythm intuitively?
• How did physical movement support children’s comprehension and recall?

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By incorporating rhythm, rhyme, and multi-sensory learning, this plan goes beyond simple recitation—supporting the development of phonics, comprehension, speaking and listening skills exactly as prescribed by the Year 1 National Curriculum in an engaging, memorable way.