Reading and responding to 'Pike' by Ted Hughes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can engage with a poem and research the subject.
Key learning points
- ‘Pike’ was written by Ted Hughes in 1960; the poem consists of eleven verses, each with four lines.
- Hughes often used animals, landscapes and elemental forces as symbols in his work.
- Hughes uses vivid imagery in the poem to create a rich and sensory description of the pike and its environment.
- Researching about the subject of a poem can greatly enhance readers' understanding.
- The goal of research is to enrich and engage readers in a poem.
Keywords
Subject - the main topic or idea that the poet is writing about
Imagery - the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader or listener
Research - to find out more about a topic or idea, using reliable sources
Common misconception
Pupils may find some of the language new or unfamiliar to them.
An extended definition list could be created to support pupils in understanding. Explain that it is normal to not understand all the language in a poem, especially when we first read it.
Teacher tip
Pupils would benefit from seeing a video clip of a pike in its natural habitat to gauge size and movement. A list of preapproved websites could be provided during Task B to support research.
Equipment
You need a copy of the poem ‘Pike’ which is featured on pages 38-39 in the 2019 Faber & Faber edition of ‘The Thought Fox: Collected Animal Poems Vol 4’ written by Ted Hughes for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which poet wrote the poem 'The Song of the Whale'?
Q2.Which of these examples use alliteration?
Q3.Which of these is the most appropriate definition of a predator?
Q4.Which of the following best describes a free verse poem?
Q5.Which of these examples use personification?
Q6.Which of the following are types of fish?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these keywords to their definitions.
the main topic or idea that the poet is writing about
the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience
to find out more about a topic or idea, using reliable sources
Q2.What colour are pikes?
Q3.True or false? Pike are apex predators.
Q4.Which of these adjectives best describe the pike in the poem?
Q5.True or false? Doing research around a poem's subject can provide readers with a deeper understanding of a poem’s themes.
Q6.Match each verse grouping to the topic explored.
describes the pike from infancy
describes the pike’s natural habitat and how they are apex predators
describes the speaker’s own experience of keeping pike in a fish tank
describes a pond where the speaker used to fish
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Reading and responding to 'Pike' by Ted Hughes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Reading and responding to 'Pike' by Ted Hughes, 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 inspired by animals unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.