Generating vocabulary for a weather-themed poem
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can generate vocabulary to use in a weather-themed poem based on John Lyons’ poems.
Key learning points
- The themes in John Lyons' poems are often about the natural world, weather, animals and family.
- The tone in John Lyons' poems is generally positive because lots of his poetry draws on memories of his childhood.
- Poets like to use poetic devices such as figurative language to create imagery for the reader and listener.
- Figurative language includes the use of similes and personification, which brings writing to life.
- Generating ambitious vocabulary creates descriptive-rich writing, which paints vivid pictures in the reader's mind..
Keywords
Generating - actively seeking, forming and learning ambitious vocabulary to use in writing
Tone - refers to the emotion expressed by the poet towards the reader, enhancing the mood or atmosphere of the poem
Descriptive vocabulary - words and phrases used to vividly convey sensory details, emotions or experiences
Figurative language - the use of simile and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader
Common misconception
Using 'good vocabulary' automatically makes writing better.
There are no 'good' and 'bad words' in English. Rather, some are more precise and appropriate in certain contexts than others.
Teacher tip
Provide pupils with various types of visual stimuli to generate vocabulary. Pupils should work in pairs and as groups on mini-whiteboards to generate vocabulary. Sharing ideas is the most fruitful way to build a word bank.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the meaning of a ‘theme’ in poetry?
Q2.Why do poets use vivid adjectives in their poetry?
Q3.Why do some poets often incorporate nature into their poetry?
Q4.John Lyons describes the sunset in one of his poems. Which simile describes a Caribbean sunset in the most appropriate way?
Q5.John Lyons describes the colour of the sky in the Caribbean before it rains in one of his poems. Which phrase best describes the sky?
Q6.What is the effect of the repetition 'Sugarcake! Sugarcake!' in John Lyons' poem 'Granny's Sugarcake'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What human action best fits this blank? 'The snowflakes __________ gracefully together.'
Q2.Which adjective best fits the blank in this sentence? 'The __________ orb slowly drops behind the horizon.'
Q3.Which verb best fits the blank in this sentence? 'The stars __________ down at the sleeping people below.'
Q4.Which adverb best fits the blank? 'Stars shining __________ pierce the darkness.'
Q5.Which noun best fits the blank? 'A __________ of densely packed clouds drift ominously.'
Q6.Match the first part of the simile with an appropriate ending.
like diamonds.
like a wolf.
like soft pillows.
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary for a weather-themed poem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary for a weather-themed poem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the John Lyons poetry unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.