How Simon Armitage writes about the world in 'Resistance' and 'Out of the Blue'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can respond to how Armitage writes about the world in ‘Resistance’ and ‘Out of the Blue’.
Key learning points
- Armitage’s ‘Resistance’ was written about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- Armitage suggests that poetry can be a form of resistance and support.
- Armitage's ‘Out of the Blue’ was written to be part of a film about 9/11.
- Armitage suggests that you have a responsibility and accountability when writing about world events.
- Armitage also says that you need to reflect how you personally feel about world events in your writing.
Keywords
Resistance - the act of fighting against something that is attacking you, or refusing to accept something
Provoke - to excite to some action or feeling
Traumatic - causing severe and lasting emotional shock and pain; deeply disturbing or distressing
Responsibility - something that it is your job or duty to deal with
Accountability - the acknowledgment of and assumption of responsibility for actions and decisions
Common misconception
You should be objective when you are writing about world events.
Armitage suggests that poetry is about the individual and that we have a responsibility to reflect our personal responses to what's happening in the world.
Teacher tip
It might be useful to give students more context about 9/11 or, if appropriate, show them some of the archival footage from that day to help them understand 'Out of the Blue'. Students should also not have to share their poems if they do not feel comfortable.
Equipment
There are copies of Armitage's 'Resistance' and 'Out of the Blue' in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.To offer support to someone means which of the following?
Q2.If something is your job or duty to deal with, then it is your __________.
Q3.'The act of doing or saying something again' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Q4.The terrorist attacks against the World Trade Centre in America are known as which of the following?
Q5.'Causing severe and lasting emotional shock and pain; deeply disturbing or distressing' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.Something harrowing is which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Armitage's 'Resistance' was inspired by which of the following?
Q2.Armitage's 'Out of the Blue' was written as part of a film about which of the following?
Q3.Armitage says he was _________ 'Resistance'.
Q4.'The act of fighting against something that is attacking you, or refusing to accept something' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'The acknowledgment of and assumption of responsibility for actions and decisions' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.Which of the following is what Armitage suggests are the challenges of writing about real world events?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: How Simon Armitage writes about the world in 'Resistance' and 'Out of the Blue', 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 the world in 'Resistance' and 'Out of the Blue', 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 3 English lessons from the Simon Armitage: writing your world unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.