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Lesson 3 of 5
  • Year 4

Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare'

I can read and explore a poem before performing it.

Lesson 3 of 5
New
New
  • Year 4

Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare'

I can read and explore a poem before performing it.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘Compliments of Shakespeare’ is a poem found in the poetry collection ‘Dear Ugly Sisters’ by Laura Mucha.
  2. Mucha has taken some of Shakespeare’s insults and turned them into a witty poem written in modern day language.
  3. Understanding a poem, its language and the atmosphere it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
  4. We can vary our tone, pace and volume to create different effects when performing a poem.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 4 English lesson on: Exploring and performing 'Compliments of Shakespeare', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following about Laura Mucha are true?

Correct answer: Laura Mucha is an ex-lawyer.
Laura Mucha's poetry has not yet won any awards.
Correct answer: ‘Dear Ugly Sisters’ is Laura Mucha’s debut poetry collection for children.
Correct answer: Laura's enthusiasm for life and people deeply influences her writing.

Q2.
True or false? Laura Mucha does not perform her poetry.

Correct Answer: false, False

Q3.
True or false? Personification is when words that begin with the same sound are placed close together.

Correct Answer: false, False

Q4.
Which of the following best describe the impression or atmosphere created in the poem 'Night Flight'?

Correct answer: magical
Correct answer: free
fear
Correct answer: exciting
angry

Q5.
Which of the following are Laura’s top tips for performing poetry?

Correct answer: Be prepared to look silly.
Correct answer: Think about who you are performing to.
Do not perform the poem if you don’t like it.
Correct answer: Try to connect with the poem in some way.

Q6.
True or false? Our facial expressions and body language can help to convey meaning as we perform.

Correct Answer: true, True

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
‘Compliments of Shakespeare’ is a poem found in which poetry collection?

Correct answer: 'Dear Ugly Sisters'
‘Compliments of Shakespeare’
'Cinderella'

Q2.
Select the true statements about William Shakespeare.

Correct answer: William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright.
Correct answer: He is seen as one of the greatest writers of the English language.
Shakespeare is best known for his singing.
Shakespeare’s insults are not a famous part of his works.
Correct answer: Language used in Shakespeare plays is written in Early Modern English.

Q3.
What is an 'insult'?

the creative spark or source of ideas that motivates a poet to write
a kind or positive thing you say to make someone feel good
Correct answer: an offensive remark or action

Q4.
True or false? Laura Mucha really loved Shakespeare when she was at school.

Correct Answer: false, False

Q5.
Which of the following most effectively describes the atmosphere of the poem 'Compliments of Shakespeare'?

Correct answer: lighthearted
serious
Correct answer: humorous
boring

Q6.
True or false? We can vary our tone, pace and volume to create different effects.

Correct Answer: true, True

Additional material

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