Comparing and contrasting 'London is the Place for Me' and 'Sweet Jamaica'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make comparisons between songs with different perspectives.
Key learning points
- ‘London is the Place for Me’ was written by Aldwyn ‘Lord Kitchener’ Roberts in 1948.
- ‘Sweet Jamaica’ was written four years after his arrival on the Empire Windrush, in 1952.
- We can compare and contrast songs with similar themes or messages, noticing the impact that they have on us as readers.
- Understanding the context of the songs can support readers to form deeper reflections.
- From reading, listening and discussing songs about migration, we can make connections to our own lives and experiences.
Keywords
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Context - the setting or background that helps us to understand something better
Imagery - the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the song
Compare - involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts
Contrast - involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts
Common misconception
Pupils may discuss other similarities and differences between the songs (such as song structure, genre).
Verbally model examples based on themes and imagery used.
Teacher tip
You may wish to explore the changes in the pupils' take away ideas from their first encounter with 'London is the Place for Me' (the second lesson in this unit). Ask pupils to note how their opinions have changed, having learnt more about the context of 'Sweet Jamaica'.
Equipment
You need a copy of the lyrics & recording of ‘Sweet Jamaica’ & 'London is the Place for Me' by Lord Kitchener which is featured on the 2013 Honest Jon’s Records album ‘London Is The Place For Me’.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Lord Kitchener had visited Jamaica before migrating to Britain.
Q2.Which of the following is the most suitable definition of nostalgia?
Q3.Which of the following best describes the atmosphere of the lyrics of 'Sweet Jamaica'?
Q4.Match the following words from the song to their definitions.
Q5.True or false? Montego Bay is a famous location in Britain.
Q6.Match the following words from the song to their definitions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Both songs describe London using positive imagery.
Q2.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Q3.Which of the following are similarities between the two songs?
Q4.True or false? Exploring the context can allow us to develop a deeper understanding of the songs and their impact.
Q5.What is the most appropriate definition of the word belonging?
Q6.True or false? Lord Kitchener’s views of migration changed between the release of ‘London is the Place for Me’ and ‘Sweet Jamaica’.
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Comparing and contrasting 'London is the Place for Me' and 'Sweet Jamaica', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Comparing and contrasting 'London is the Place for Me' and 'Sweet Jamaica', 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 Poetry about migration unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.