identity influenced by multiple cultures or ethnic backgrounds

relating to the central ideas or messages in a poem

deep longing or desire, often with an emotional intensity

beliefs or opinions towards something, typically influencing behaviour or decisions

Comparing attitudes to identity and longing in the Edexcel Belonging anthology

English

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils used a range of reading skills to aid the supported decoding of challenging poems. In 'Unseen Poetry', pupils use these reading skills to decode texts with independence.

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of culture and belonging. In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons, focusing on the three final poems: *Kumukanda*, *In Wales, wanting to be Italian* and *Us*.

In this unit, pupis read and analyse three poems from the 'Belonging' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. At the end of the unit, pupils analyse themes from across the anthology and practise crafting a sophisticated comparative essay,

Poetry anthology: continued study

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Which of these words is a synonym for 'yearning'?

comparing a key quotation from each poem.

comparing the wider context of each poem.

comparing how both poets use literary methods.

comparing both poets' attitudes towards certain key ideas/messages.

When comparing two poems, we should lead by ...

Which poem from the Edexcel 'Belonging' anthology explores the fine line between division and togetherness?

In which poem does the speaker view belonging as a means of validation (through others acceptance of her)?

he hates it in the UK and wants to return to Zambia

he worries he has become dislocated from his heritage

he knows he isn't accepted by people in the UK

Why does the speaker's sense of belonging in 'Kumukanda' make him feel anxious?

when you really hate something and wish never to see it again

when you are scared of something happening again

when you feel sad because something happened without you

the background or circumstances that surround something

other texts that you think are similar to the one you're studying

the historical and cultural background of the poet

the central ideas or messages it explores

the grammatical structure used in its lines

wishing you had been born in a different country

the beliefs, behaviours and values shared by a group of people

the physical characteristics of individuals within a cultural group

what other people think about a certain country or community

Which of these poems describes the speaker's experiences moving from Zambia to the UK?

Which of these poems considers ideas of unity and togetherness in an abstract way?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Comparing attitudes to identity and longing in the Edexcel Belonging anthology

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.