10 Best WWI Poems to Teach (And How to Teach Them)

World War 1 poetry has never lost its relevance. Unfortunately, war still rages in the world today, and the voices from over a century ago still echo through our own headlines.

For me, it’s personal. I grew up as a military brat, attending remembrance parades every 11th November. At school, where the community had strong armed forces links, our Remembrance Day service wasn’t optional — it was part of our identity. That early connection has never left me.

It’s also fascinating from a literary perspective. WWI poetry captures the shift from romanticised visions of battle to stark, unflinching realism. Since so many of the poets were frontline soldiers, these poems aren’t abstract — they’re direct, often raw accounts of war’s physical and psychological toll.

I usually teach WWI poetry in November, often alongside the history department’s WWI units. I’ve even worked cross-curricular with art to create remembrance displays inspired by the poems. The focus is a mix: close analytical skills to prepare for GCSE, creative responses, and plenty of empathy-building discussion.

And the students get into it. They research gaps in their knowledge about the war, dig into the personal histories of the poets, and come up with brilliantly unexpected insights. (One of my girls once asked if Jessie Pope had been single; when I queried why she had asked, she reasoned that no one with a boyfriend would encourage them to go off to war.)

If you’re new to teaching WWI poetry, my advice is: try a range. From the most famous to the lesser-known gems, every poem offers a slightly different perspective on the war, and your class will surprise you with which ones they connect to most.

But if you are looking for some suggestions, these are my favourites to teach:

1. Dulce et Decorum Est – Wilfred Owen

The go-to war poem for a reason. Its imagery is unforgettable, and students rarely forget their first encounter with that gas attack scene. I focus on Owen’s use of language to break down the “old lie” and the poem’s shift in tone. Creative tasks work well here — writing from the perspective of another soldier in the scene, or creating visual representations of the imagery.

I have a full Activities Bundle for this one, with everything from roll-the-dice discussion boards to creative writing prompts and picture prompts.

2. Futility – Wilfred Owen

Quieter than Dulce, but in many ways more devastating. It’s philosophical, intimate, and full of cosmic imagery. I like to pair close reading with discussions about the poem’s big questions — the value of life, the cruelty of war, and the search for meaning.

Again, my Futility Activities Bundle covers it all, from discussion boards to essay questions and picture prompts.

3. In Flanders Fields – John McCrae

One of the most famous remembrance poems, it’s accessible and symbolic. It’s also perfect for linking to Remembrance Day traditions and the history of the poppy. I use it to discuss symbolism, imagery, and tone shifts.

There’s a full In Flanders Fields Bundle in my TpT store with picture prompts, review puzzles, and creative writing tasks.

4. Who’s for the Game? – Jessie Pope

A recruitment poem that’s ideal for discussing propaganda and persuasive language. It’s upbeat and almost playful — until students realise the implications. I like comparing it with Owen’s work to show contrasting attitudes towards the war.

My Who’s for the Game? Bundle has resources for analysis, creative responses, and debates.

5. The Soldier – Rupert Brooke

This one returns to romanticised patriotism, and it’s useful for showing that not all war poetry was disillusioned. It opens up discussions about tone, idealism, and the way death is framed as noble and almost beautiful. Great for contrasting with the grittier poems.

6. Anthem for Doomed Youth – Wilfred Owen

A sonnet about the industrialised slaughter of war. Students often connect strongly to its comparisons between battlefield deaths and funeral rites. I focus on structure, sound devices, and how the sonnet form is repurposed for something so brutal.

7. My Boy Jack – Rudyard Kipling

A poignant piece when linked to Kipling’s personal loss. It’s ideal for exploring tone and subtext — especially the tension between duty and grief. Works well as a bridge between propaganda and personal mourning.

8. For the Fallen – Laurence Binyon

Stately, ceremonial, and a staple of remembrance services. It’s useful for looking at how poetry can serve a commemorative role, and for comparing public vs. private grief in war poetry.

9. Suicide in the Trenches – Siegfried Sassoon

A blunt, angry piece that shatters romantic notions of war. I tend to focus on its plain language, its brevity, and its sharp shift in tone between verses. It always sparks debate.

10. Break of Day in the Trenches – Isaac Rosenberg

One of my favourites for symbolism — the rat, the poppy, the casual movement between sides. It’s a less obvious choice but perfect for showing a more nuanced, detached perspective on the war.

Final Thoughts

Teaching WWI poetry is one of those units that sticks with your students. It’s history, literature, and empathy all rolled into one - and it’s a reminder that behind every famous line, there’s a human voice telling their truth.

If you’re planning your own unit, it’s worth building in a mix of perspectives, from the patriotic to the disillusioned, from public remembrance to private grief. The poems here have always sparked thoughtful discussion in my classroom, and they pair well with creative responses, debates, and visual prompts to help students connect with the material on a deeper level.