Learning and reciting stanzas one to three of 'The Highwayman'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recite 'The Highwayman' and memorise one stanza.
Key learning points
- Reciting a text provides an important opportunity for developing speaking and listening skills.
- Speakers need to consider how to keep their audience engaged during a recital.
- Speakers can use a range of techniques to ensure that they can be clearly heard and are engaging for the audience.
- Memorising a text can enable a more coherent recital.
- We can use a range of strategies to support us with memorising a text.
Keywords
Recite - to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience
Projection - using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly
Diction - involves pronouncing words clearly
Body language - how we use our posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings
Pace - the speed at which we speak
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to use all recital skills.
Each skill of using projection, diction and body language should be explicitly modelled. Modelling non-examples are useful for pupils to see and hear what works and what doesn't in performance.
Teacher tip
Pupils working in pairs or groups to memorise a stanza of their choice may support collaborative working.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an audience?
Q2.What should an audience do when they are watching a presentation?
Q3.What is a narrative poem?
Q4.How would you describe the atmosphere of 'The Highwayman'?
Q5.What helps effective public speaking?
Q6.Match the stanzas to their subjects:
the setting
the Highwayman
Bess
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are appropriate explanations of 'reciting'?
Q2.Match the presenting techniques to their definitions:
involves speaking powerfully and clearly
involves pronouncing words clearly
how we use our posture and gestures to convey meaning
the speed at which we speak
Q3.Fill in the gap. When projecting our voices, we need to use deep breaths and use the __________ in our stomachs to help us speak.
Q4.Fill in the gap. __________ involves pronouncing words clearly. It is very important because our audience needs to be able to understand what we are saying.
Q5.Which of these are aspects of confident body language when presenting?
Q6.Why is it important to speak at an appropriate pace?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Learning and reciting stanzas one to three of 'The Highwayman', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Learning and reciting stanzas one to three of 'The Highwayman', 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 'The Highwayman': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.