Simon Armitage and the power of poetry
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore what a poem is and think about it as an art form.
Key learning points
- Simon Armitage is the UK poet laureate.
- Armitage suggests that there is something secretive about poetry - it can create a refuge.
- Armitage suggests that poetry has more similarities with sculpture, photography or painting than prose.
- Armitage suggests that poetry is different to song lyrics because poetry needs to bring musicality through language.
- Armitage suggests that poetry is a more thoughtful way of approaching the world.
Keywords
Poet laureate - the British Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom
Furtive - done or acting secretly and quietly to avoid being noticed
Alternative - something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual
Refuge - a place that gives protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness, etc.
Common misconception
Poems and song lyrics are the same.
While there are similarities, Armitage suggests that poems have to create musicality through language while song lyrics are a component of a larger whole.
Teacher tip
It might be useful to remind students of poems they have studied when considering what words first come to mind when they think of poetry, or how they differentiate between fiction books and poems.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.To describe someone as 'secretive' implies which of the following?
Q2.What is the definition of fiction?
Q3.To value something means which of the following?
Q4.If something is said to be alternative then it is which of the following?
Q5.Which of the following is the definition of sculpting something?
Q6.Which of the following is the definition of a 'refuge'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following does Armitage suggest that poetry is like?
Q2.Which of the following is a title that Simon Armitage holds?
Q3.How does Armitage describe the comparison between a news report and poetry?
Q4.Which of the following poems did Simon Armitage say was one of the first poems that drew him to poetry?
Q5.Which of the following does Armitage say is the value of poetry in society?
Q6.'Done or acting secretly and quietly to avoid being noticed' is the definition of which word beginning with 'f'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Simon Armitage and the power of poetry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Simon Armitage and the power of poetry, 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.