From Tuesday 23 September 2025, UK schools can join the exciting Verse Novel Challenge, part of the Reading Champions series from the National Literacy Trust—supported by Amazon. This engaging initiative encourages pupils aged 8–14 to explore reading for pleasure through the unique blend of storytelling and poetry known as the verse novel. With free teacher resources launching on that date, this is the perfect opportunity to kick-start a creative, inclusive literacy celebration across your school.
At Presentation Spaces, we’re here to help you make the most of this event—not just with inspiring lesson ideas, but with smart classroom display and presentation tools that elevate pupil voices and support accessibility. From visualisers to acoustic panels, each product is chosen to enrich learning, reduce barriers, and make literacy come alive.
What is the Verse Novel Challenge?
The challenge is open to all UK schools and invites pupils aged 8–14 to explore verse novels—a form of narrative poetry that’s vivid, engaging and often highly accessible. Schools that sign up will gain access to:
- Teacher guidelines with step-by-step delivery ideas
- Benefits of verse novel reading for confidence and text engagement
- Read-aloud strategies to ignite classroom discussion
- Curated reading lists (ages 8–12 and 11–14) highlighting diverse voices
- Participant certificates to celebrate involvement
These resources go live on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, and are available with free National Literacy Trust Membership. A prize draw invites schools to win boxes of verse novels, with entries closing on Friday, 12 December 2025 [oai_citation:0‡literacytrust.org.uk](https://literacytrust.org.uk/resources/the-verse-novel-challenge/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Why join the Verse Novel Challenge?
- Boost reading for pleasure: Verse novels are often quick to read, emotionally resonant, and perfect for reluctant or emerging readers.
- Engaging cross-curricular opportunities: Link to Poetry, English, Drama, PSHE, Art, and beyond.
- Celebrate diverse voices: Curated lists reflect varied identities, experiences, and backgrounds.
- Support mental wellbeing: Verse can express feelings powerfully in a short form—great for reflection or creative response.
- Whole-school involvement: Create displays, assemblies, reading corners, and creative workshops.
Lesson ideas by key stage
Key Stage 2 (Ages 8–11)
1) Opening Lines—A Classroom Poem
Read the opening stanza of a selected verse novel together. Pupils respond by creating their own “opening lines” inspired by tone, setting or character.
How to present: Use an AVerVision F17+ visualiser to project lines, annotate together, and model rhythm and imagery. Pupils can draft on smaller whiteboards, then share aloud.
2) Poetry Echo—Choral Speaking
Choose a short extract and explore using echo or choral speaking to bring the language to life. Pupils can reflect on how tone and pacing influence meaning.
How to present: Use a interactive screen and invite groups to perform. An audience can provide feedback using short praise prompts on mobile writing boards.
3) Visual Verse—Creating Illustrated Stanzas
Pupils illustrate or storyboard a stanza, capturing key imagery and emotion in a visual form.
How to present: Model ideas under the visualiser. Display finished visuals on noticeboards alongside printed stanza panels for gallery-style reading.
Key Stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
4) Voice & Identity—Monologue in Verse
Pupils adapt a verse novel stanza into a short dramatic monologue, focusing on voice, emotion, and perspective.
How to present: Use the Flexi-View Interactive Board for dramatic readings. Its adjustable height ensures all pupils can present confidently, whatever their stature.
5) Creative Response—Writing Into the Verse
Invite pupils to write a brief continuation or alternative stanza inspired by themes or characters.
How to present: Pupils can model their responses live under the visualiser—poetic language, line breaks, punctuation, presentation all visible at once.
6) Poetry Debate—What Makes Verse Powerful?
Host a structured debate on the impact of verse novels versus traditional prose. Explore themes like emotional immediacy, economy of language, and reader engagement.
How to present: Use interactive displays to show debate points; support arguments with lines from texts modelled on glassboards or whiteboards.
Whole School Options
Poetry Corner & Reading Corner
Create a verse novel reading space with comfy seating, ambient lighting, and featured books. Add pupil-written display poetry and posters highlighting recommended titles.
How to present: Use noticeboards and glassboards for rotating displays. Consider soft lighting or a calm acoustic area using acoustic panels to create a reading sanctuary in line with BB93 guidelines.
Inclusion & accessibility
- Reduce visual stress: Use pastel-tone surfaces (Chameleon Writing collection) for writing and display to support pupils with visual sensitivities.
- Boost audibility: If hosting readings or performances, use acoustic solutions to manage echo and help all pupils hear clearly.
- Accessible presentation: Flexi-View’s adjustable height ensures all presenters—regardless of ability or mobility—can engage confidently.
- Structured visual prompts: Anchor discussion with colour-coded cards or sticky notes on boards to guide pupil thinking and participation.
Recommended tools for the Verse Novel Challenge
- AVerVision F17+ Visualiser – for live reading, annotation, and modelling verse.
- Flexi-View Interactive Column Board – height-adjustable, inclusive presentations.
- Noticeboards – showcase pupil responses, poetry panels, and featured books.
- Glassboards – sleek, modern display surfaces for hall or classroom.
- Whiteboards & Rollerboards – flexible writing for brainstorming and planning.
- Mobile Surfaces – bring resources to any part of the classroom or school.
- Acoustic Solutions – reduce reverberation and support clearer listening during readings or assemblies.
- Chameleon Writing Collection – pastel-toned surfaces for visual clarity and inclusion.
Quick comparison – match activity to tool
| Activity | Recommended Tool | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Lines / Live annotation | AVerVision F17+ Visualiser | Model text layer by layer; pupils can see text, punctuation & tone in detail. |
| Choral or monologue presentations | Flexi-View | Adjustable for comfortable presenting, visible to all. |
| Illustrated stanza displays | Noticeboards | Durable, colourful display ready for gallery-style reading. |
| Reading corner atmosphere | Acoustic Solutions | Quiet, calm area supportive of focus and wellbeing. |
| Brainstorm & mapping ideas | Whiteboards / Rollerboards | Space for collective planning, poetic structure or theme analysis. |
| Visual clarity for SEND learners | Chameleon Writing | Pastel surfaces minimise glare and aid sustained focus. |
Cross-curricular tie-ins and extras
- Art: Illustrated stanzas, visual storyboards, creative fonts.
- Drama: Verse monologues and group recitals.
- PSHE: Exploring emotions and well-being through poetic characters.
- History/Social themes: Using verse novels to discuss migration, identity, resilience.
- Computing: Turn stanza analysis into digital presentations or e-books.
Practical tips for running the challenge
- Sign up early: Ensure your membership with National Literacy Trust is active so you’re ready on 23 September.
- Promote widely: Announce the challenge in assemblies, newsletters, and staff briefings.
- Display progress: Create a reading tracker poster or digital board to show participating classes.
- Celebrate each milestone: Use your noticeboards to showcase book covers, quotes, or pupil reflections.
- Plan a wrap-up: Host a verse-reading showcase or pupil-led performance to celebrate involvement and learning.
Ready to bring verse to life in your school?
We can help you create a tailored bundle for your Verse Novel Challenge activities—from visualisers to acoustic panels. Need ideas for displays, inclusive planning, or assemblies? We’re just a call or email away:
- AVerVision F17+ Visualiser
- Flexi-View Interactive Column Board
- Noticeboards & Glassboards
- Whiteboards, Rollerboards & Mobile Surfaces
- Chameleon Writing
- Acoustic Solutions
Call us on 01382 913 913 • Email info@presentationspaces.co.uk • or browse our collections here.
About Presentation Spaces
We provide forward-thinking display and acoustic solutions for schools across the UK, focused on breaking down barriers to learning and enhancing creative expression. From inclusive design to practical reliability, each product is chosen by teachers, for teachers—and we’re always here to help bring your ideas to life.
Need a printable planning checklist or display graphic ideas for your Verse Novel Challenge? Just ask—we’d love to help.
