- Year 9
How Simon Armitage writes about hope in 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human'
I can respond to how Armitage writes about hope in ‘We’ll Sing’ and ‘Only Human’.
- Year 9
How Simon Armitage writes about hope in 'We'll Sing' and 'Only Human'
I can respond to how Armitage writes about hope in ‘We’ll Sing’ and ‘Only Human’.
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Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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.
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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.
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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