Panto Poetry

Recently I spent an ideal day at the IDEAL Ranch where my son and his classmates learned about all things farming, growing, and poetry writing! I was so pleased to learn that one of the many engaging activities there was a creative romp through the linguistic. As my son’s class separated into four separate groups, they were encouraged to try writing a “panto” style poem. Poems were created using dramatic movements, repetition, and colourful voice affects. I was overjoyed to find the children engaging in a deep way with their environment and words. 

A special thank you to the Grade 2 Fernie Academy class of students, to their teachers, Mrs. Merritt and Ms. Barry, and to the creative farmers and educators over at the IDEAL Ranch. 

GROUP #1

Outside Life
Flowers smell sweet
Trees blow in the wind
Clouds fly in the sky
Chickens dance weird
Trees blow in the wind
Ants are small, but mighty
Chickens dance weird
The garden brings joy to the earth
Ants are small
Flowers smell sweet
The garden brings joy to the earth Clouds fly in the sky

GROUP #2

The Cottonwood Trees
We dance with the trees
We sing to the night light
Go sun, Go!
We eat beautiful fruit
The deer help us cheer up
We eat the beautiful fruit
Nature helps us stay alive
The deer help us cheer up
We dance with the trees
Nature helps us stay alive
Go sun Go!

GROUP #3

The Sunflowers
The sun is hot!
Goats eat grass
Pigs lie in mud
A beautiful pony
Goats eat grass
Leaves falling from trees
A beautiful pony
One river flows slow
Leaves falling from the trees The sun is hot!
The river flows slow
Pigs lie in mud

GROUP #4

The Native Bees
Great green grass
I love nature
Spring is here!
Yummy crystal peaches
I love nature
The bees are out
Yummy crystal peaches The leaves fall down
The bears are out
Great green grass
The leaves fall down
Spring is here!