Understanding the context of 'The Highwayman'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the geographical, historical, social and authorial context of ’The Highwayman’.
Key learning points
- 'The Highwayman' is an example of a narrative poem.
- A narrative poem is a type of poem that tells a story.
- 'The Highwayman' was set in rural England during the 18th century.
- Alfred Noyes is the poet who wrote ’The Highwayman’.
- Highwaymen were robbers on horseback who attacked travellers.
Keywords
Narrative poem - a type of poem which tells a story
Context - the factors outside a text that influence it, such as the historical period, setting and society at the time
18th century - the historical time period from 1701-1800
Welfare state - government support for people, such as social care and health services
Synopsis - a summary of a text
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to place the time period in which the poem is set.
Explicit discussion of features of the 18th Century and visual representations on a timeline will help pupils' understanding.
Teacher tip
Pupils may benefit from being set an additional research challenge to find out more about life in 18th-century England, undertaking independent research.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the definition of a poem.
Q2.A person who writes a poem is called a...
Q3.Select the types of fiction texts.
Q4.What does 'rural' mean?
Q5.Select the time period known as the 18th Century.
Q6.'The Highwayman' can be described as a __________ narrative poem.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words to their definitions.
a type of poem that tells a story
the factors outside a text that influence it
the historical time period from 1701-1800
government support for people who need it
a summary of a text
Q2.Which of these events occurred during the 18th Century?
Q3.Which factors contributed to high death rates amongst the poorest in society during the 18th Century?
Q4.'The Highwayman' was set in __________ England.
Q5.Select the definition of highwaymen from the list.
Q6.The main characters in the poem are the highwayman and...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Understanding the context 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: Understanding the context 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.