How Simon Armitage writes about hope in 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can respond to how Armitage writes about hope in ‘We’ll Sing’ and ‘Only Human’.
Key learning points
- Simon Armitage is the current UK Poet Laureate.
- Armitage was commissioned to write ‘We’ll Sing’ by the Huddersfield Choral society.
- Armitage suggests that there are elements of resistance, defiance, hope and optimism about ‘We’ll Sing’.
- Armitage was commissioned to write ‘Only Human’ for a service in remembrance of lives lost during Covid-19.
- Armitage suggests that ‘Only Human’ was trying to communicate ideas of hope and positivity.
Keywords
Poet laureate - the British Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom
Commission - a formal request to do a special piece of work
Esteem - to respect someone or something or have a good opinion of them
Elegy - a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead
Common misconception
A poem about those who have lost their lives will always be sad.
While laments for the dead contain sadness, they also often contain elements of hope and joy for the lives lived and the futures ahead.
Teacher tip
Pupils should not be asked to share their images or poems of hope if they are uncomfortable as it may be very personal to them.
Equipment
There are copies of Armitage's 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human' in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who is the current (2025) UK Poet Laureate?
Q2.Simon Armitage is the current UK Laureate.
Q3.Feeling optimistic means which of the following?
Q4.'The refusal to accept or comply with something' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'Behaviour in which you refuse to obey someone or something' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.To feel great respect for someone is to do which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Armitage's 'Only Human' was designed to evoke emotions of which of the following?
Q2.Armitage's 'We'll Sing' was commissioned by which of the following?
Q3.Which of the following words does Armitage associate with 'We'll Sing'?
Q4.'A formal request to do a special piece of work' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q5.Armitage suggests which of the following are benefits of being the Poet Laureate?
Q6.'A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead' is the definition of which of the following?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: How Simon Armitage writes about hope in 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: How Simon Armitage writes about hope in 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human', 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Simon Armitage: writing your world unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.