Reading and responding to 'Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read, respond to and perform the poem ‘Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan.
Key learning points
- ‘Tempest Avenue’ can be described as a free verse poem; it contains 7 verses and is written in first person perspective.
- 'Tempest Avenue' is set in Stairfoot, Yorkshire; it is written from the perspective of a parent holding their baby.
- The poem uses enjambment, which is when a line in poetry continues onto the next line without pause or punctuation.
- Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
Keywords
Atmosphere - the mood created in a section or whole of a text
Perspective - the point-of-view or position from which the reader reads, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood
Enjambment - when a line in poetry continues onto the next line without pause or punctuation, creating a sense of flow
Pace - the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed
Gesture - a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
Common misconception
When completing Task A, pupils may struggle to generate ideas.
Adults could provide a word bank and work with pupils to create a mind map of ideas. Examples can be included from 'Tempest Avenue' to further support.
Teacher tip
You may wish to find a recording of Ian McMillan performing the poem. This will better contextualise the pacing, intonation and dialect.
Equipment
You need a copy of the poem ‘Tempest Avenue’ which is featured on page 17 in the 1994 Carcanet edition of ‘Dad, the Donkey's on Fire’ written by Ian McMillan for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Everyone responds to a poem in the same way.
Q2.Which of the following are senses that could be appealed to when reading poetry with imagery?
Q3.Match the types of perspective to some of the pronouns associated with them.
I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours
you, your, yours
they, them, their, theirs, he, she, it, him, her, his, hers, its
Q4.What perspective is the following written in? "You walk along the winding path."
Q5.What perspective is the following written in? "I stand alone beneath the starry sky."
Q6.What perspective is the following written in? "She watches from the window sill."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these keywords to their definitions.
the mood created in a section or whole of a text
the point-of-view or position from which the reader reads
the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed
a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
Q2.Who is the poet of 'Tempest Avenue'?
Q3.Which of the following statements are true?
Q4.True or false? The poem 'Tempest Avenue' uses enjambment.
Q5.‘Tempest Avenue’ is written from which perspective?
Q6.True or false? When performing a poem, you should include gestures to describe every action or event.
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Reading and responding to 'Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Reading and responding to 'Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan, 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 of place unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.