Reading and performing 'Blackbird' by John Foster &'Hawk Roosting' by Ted Hughes
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read two poems aloud with confidence and expression.
Key learning points
- 'Blackbird' is a cinquain by John Foster with five lines of a set syllabic structure.
- ‘Hawk Roosting’ can be described as a fixed verse poem; it consists of six verses, each with four lines.
- 'Hawk Roosting' is written in first-person perspective.
- We can explore poems in depth by reading them aloud and performing them.
Keywords
Enjambment - when a line in poetry continues onto the next line without pause or punctuation, creating a sense of flow
Perspective - the point of view from which the poet writes, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood
Interpretation - the process of understanding and assigning meaning to a poem
Cinquain - a form of poetry consisting of five lines, typically with a specific syllable count or pattern
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to discuss how perspective can have an effect on their understanding of the poem and its themes.
It may be useful to remind pupils of the different perspectives that writing can take and the effect they can have on a reader or listener.
Teacher tip
Pupils could explore a typical food chain of a hawk, to gain a deeper insight into its perspective and how it is portrayed in the poem.
Equipment
You need a copy of the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’ which is featured on page 41 in the 2019 Faber & Faber edition of ‘The Thought Fox: Collected Animal Poems Vol 4’ written by Ted Hughes for this lesson.
Licence
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