exceptional skill or ability, especially in a particular field or activity

proficiency or expertise in performing a task, often acquired through practice and experience

relating to the countryside, typically characterised by agriculture, open spaces, and a small population

a farming tool used to till the soil by cutting, lifting, and turning it

narrow grooves or trenches made in the ground, typically by a plough or cultivation

Understanding the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

English

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Love and Relationships' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in four groups, and they pause after each group to compare how those poems present common themes.

Poetry anthology: first study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

proficiency or expertise in performing a task

narrow grooves or trenches made in the ground

In 'Follower' Heaney initially presents the son as __________ his father.

By the end of 'Follower' both the father and son are seen to stumble. How does the son react to his father's "stumbling"?

the son shows his admiration for his father's skills

the father and son return home but the son struggles

the son is worried he'll never be like his father

roles have reversed and the son sees his father "stumbling"

Starting with the first, put these key events from 'Follower' in the order they appear in the poem.

Which word from 'Follower' might show that the speaker felt like a hindrance to his father when he was a child?

In 'Follower' Heaney’s use of words related to farming creates a vivid description of the {{}} landscape.

the choices they make about vocabulary and methods like enjambment or the rhythm

the choices they make about the organisation of the poem on the page

the choices they make about vocabulary and methods like figurative language

When we talk about analysing the writer's use of **language** we mean...

Which of these is an example of a structural choice made by a writer?

Information relating to the social, cultural or historical background of a text or writer is known as {{}}.

relating to moving between the city and the countryside

If you call someone an expert you are likely to....

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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

Understanding the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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