Simon Armitage talks about 'I am very bothered' and 'My father thought it'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can listen and respond to Simon Armitage’s ‘I am very bothered’ and ‘My father thought it’.
Key learning points
- Armitage suggests that ‘I am very bothered’ was based on real events that happened during his school years.
- Armitage says that ‘I am very bothered’ is about how we hurt people who don’t love us in the way that we want them to.
- Armitage’s ‘My father thought it’ is based on Armitage piercing his ear and his father’s reaction to the piercing.
- Armitage suggests that the poem could be seen as a late reply to his father’s reaction.
Keywords
Bothered - feeling or showing agitation, worry, annoyance
Flashback - where you suddenly experience a powerful memory from a past experience
Process - to think about a difficult or sad situation so that you can gradually accept it
Common misconception
Writing is purely a form of escapism.
For some, writing can be a way of helping to process emotions and ideas.
Teacher tip
Armitage uses the word "queer" in 'My father thought it' - this word can mean strange or odd but also can be seen as a derogatory term for the LGBTQ+ community and should be handled sensitively.
Equipment
You will need copies of Armitage's 'I am very bothered' and 'My father thought it' for this lesson. There are copies available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Language may offend
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Simon Armitage is the current UK Laureate.
Q2.'Feeling or showing agitation, worry, annoyance' is the definition of which of the following?
Q3.Armitage says that poetry is very similar to which of the following?
Q4.'Where you suddenly experience a powerful memory from a past experience' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'To think about a difficult or sad situation so that you can gradually accept it' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.Is the following statement true or false: 'Simon Armitage suggests that poetry has no value in society anymore'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Armitage's 'I am very bothered'?
Q2.Which of the following was Armitage's inspiration for 'I am very bothered'?
Q3.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Armitage's 'My father thought it'?
Q4.Match the family member with their response to Armitage getting his ear pierced.
They said his father would kill him.
They said he looked like a pirate.
They asked him what it meant.
Q5.Is the following statement true or false: 'Armitage suggests that the main idea behind 'I am very bothered' is that people hurt others to avoid embarrassment'.
Q6.Armitage's 'I am very bothered' and 'My father thought it' are both from which poetry collection?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Simon Armitage talks about 'I am very bothered' and 'My father thought it', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Simon Armitage talks about 'I am very bothered' and 'My father thought it', 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.