Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read and explore a poem before performing it.
Key learning points
- ‘Compliments of Shakespeare’ is a poem found in the poetry collection ‘Dear Ugly Sisters’ by Laura Mucha.
- Mucha has taken some of Shakespeare’s insults and turned them into a witty poem written in modern day language.
- Understanding a poem, its language and the atmosphere it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
- We can vary our tone, pace and volume to create different effects when performing a poem.
- Our facial expressions and body language can help to convey meaning as we perform.
Keywords
Compliment - a kind or positive thing you say to make someone feel good
Insult - an offensive remark or action
Gesture - a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
Common misconception
Pupils may find some of the langauge in the poem hard to understand.
Talk through any new or unfamiliar language with pupils. Explain that this is not langauge we would use with each other, but is included in the poem for comic effect.
Teacher tip
At the start of the lesson, remind pupils that name-calling and insults are never acceptable and can be hurtful, even when meant as a joke. You could film pupils' performances of the poem to share with others. This can help to add a sense of purpose to their performances.
Equipment
You need a copy of the poem ‘Compliments of Shaespeare’ which is featured on page 90 in the 2020 Otter-Barry Books edition of ‘Dear Ugly Sisters’, written by Laura Mucha, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following about Laura Mucha are true?
Q2.True or false? Laura Mucha does not perform her poetry.
Q3.True or false? Personification is when words that begin with the same sound are placed close together.
Q4.Which of the following best describe the impression or atmosphere created in the poem 'Night Flight'?
Q5.Which of the following are Laura’s top tips for performing poetry?
Q6.True or false? Our facial expressions and body language can help to convey meaning as we perform.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.‘Compliments of Shakespeare’ is a poem found in which poetry collection?
Q2.Select the true statements about William Shakespeare.
Q3.What is an 'insult'?
Q4.True or false? Laura Mucha really loved Shakespeare when she was at school.
Q5.Which of the following most effectively describes the atmosphere of the poem 'Compliments of Shakespeare'?
Q6.True or false? We can vary our tone, pace and volume to create different effects.
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare', 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 Laura Mucha: performance poetry unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.