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Challenge children to write a poem in the format of 'Ten Tall Oak Trees' by Richard Edwards. Ask children to highlight the gradual disappearance of wildlife species, plants or even the diminishing green spaces on our planet. At Joy Lane Junior this activity was set as a Holiday Challenge, click below to read some of the fantastic responses...
Five Giant Pandas By Charlie Y4	Who is to blame? By Daniel Y6
Click here to see an example letter that could be sent home to introduce this activity. (Microsoft Word Document)

	Poetry Challenge

Five Giant Pandas

Five giant pandas
Sitting on the floor
'Bang!' went the poacher's gun
Then there were four.

Four Giant Pandas
Climbing up a tree
"Timber!" called the lumberjack
Then there were three.

Three giant pandas
Eating their bamboo
"Clear off!" cried the farmer
Then there were two.

Two giant pandas
Having lots of fun
"Burn!" crackled the fire
Then there was one

One giant panda
Sleeping in the sun
She never woke up
Then there were none.

No giant pandas
With big black eyes
No more whimpers
No more cries.

By Charlie Year 4

Who is to blame?

Ten open spaces
All green and fine
"Houses" announced the town's mayor
And then there were nine.

Nine open spaces
Not in a state
Some teenagers set a fire
And then there were eight.

Eight open spaces
On the outskirts of Devon
Power station needed
And then there were seven.

Seven open spaces
Factory burns to bits
Relocation needed
And then there were six.

Six open spaces
Local market does thrive
Expansion required
And then there were five.

Five open spaces
More animals to store
City zoo takes a few
And then there were four.

Four open spaces
Land going for free
Residents start extending
And then there were three.

Three open spaces
Gas firm needs HQ
More land disappears
And then there were two.

Two open spaces
Children demand fun
A skate park is built
And then there was one.

One open space
Nothing can be done
More roads are needed
And then there were none.

No open spaces
What a great shame
Residents upset
But who is to blame?

By Daniel Year 6