Reading and responding to 'Miss Flotsam' by Joseph Coelho
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can give a personal response to the poem and read it aloud.
Key learning points
- Joseph Coelho’s poems are easy to read and engaging, with playful rhythms and subjects that young readers can relate to.
- Joseph Coelho often writes poems about his personal experiences.
- The poem ‘Miss Flotsam’ is inspired by the teachers Coelho had when growing up and those he has met as an adult.
- The poem depicts ‘Miss Flotsam’ as a kind, understanding and caring teacher, who has an inclusive approach to teaching.
- Alliteration can be used to emphasise key themes and draw the reader’s attention to important parts of a poem.
Keywords
Alliteration - the repetition of the same sound found at the start of words that come close together
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Common misconception
Pupils may find some of the language in the poem difficult to understand.
Pre-teach some of the language in the poem before reading e.g. "adolescent", "gamelan", "dengue" and "dialects".
Teacher tip
There are many videos on the internet of Joseph Coelho reading his poems. These would be enjoyable to watch as a class.
Equipment
The poem used in this lesson is available in the additional materials.
Licence
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