Understanding the poem 'Poppies'

English

Analysing the poem 'Poppies'

A comparison of ‘Poppies’ by Jane Weir with other Edexcel 'Conflict' poems

Understanding the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

Analysing the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

Understanding the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti

Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti

Comparing women's conflict in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology

Making connections between poems in the Edexcel 'Conflict' cluster

Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

Writing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

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 final three poems: *Poppies*, *Catrin* and *Cousin Kate*..

In this unit, pupis read and analyse three poems from the 'Conflict' 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

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Whose perspective is 'Poppies' written from?

Weir recognised the mother's perspective of war was lesser-recognised.

Weir wanted to show the patriotic feeling amongst mothers during WW1.

Why might Weir have chosen to write 'Poppies' from the perspective of a soldier's mother?

"without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves"

Which quote is suggestive of the son’s death and mother and son’s peace in 'Poppies'?

"I rounded up as many white cat hairs as I could"

"the world overflowing like a treasure chest"

Which line from the poem 'Poppies' shows the mother's nostalgia?

the mother's contribution to the war effort

the mother's love for her domestic routine

the mother's longing to stay close to her son

What could the textile imagery in 'Poppies' symbolise?

From whose perspective is the poem 'Exposure' written from?

Understanding the poem 'Poppies'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance