Writing about the self and the world with Simon Armitage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can follow Armitage’s advice on writing a poem about a newsworthy event or about the self.
Key learning points
- Armitage suggests that daydreaming is an important part of finding inspiration.
- Armitage worries that we don’t give ourselves enough time to just let our minds wander in modern society.
- Armitage suggests that poetry is all to do with metaphors and comparisons.
- Armitage says that often you have to approach poetry writing through a different angle rather than head-on.
Keywords
Communicate - to share or exchange information, news, ideas, feelings, etc.
Metaphor - a word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else
Provoke - to excite to some action or feeling
Impact - to have a strong effect or influence on a situation or person
Common misconception
Poetic language does not exist in everyday life.
Poetic language is everywhere since we use metaphors and comparisons in everyday speech all the time.
Teacher tip
It would be useful to have a piece of newsworthy footage ready to show pupils for the task in LC3 and to ask them to bring a photograph of themselves in preparation. Pupils should not feel that they have to share their poems if they are uncomfortable.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Q2.Simon Armitage is the current UK Laureate.
Q3.'To share or exchange information, news, ideas, feelings, etc.' is to do which of the following?
Q4.'A way of looking at or thinking about something' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'Of, on, for, or coming from the outside' means which of the following?
Q6.'To excite to some action or feeling'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Armitage says that poetry is all about which of the following?
Q2.What does Armitage say about daydreaming?
Q3.Armitage suggests that poetry is like which of the following?
Q4.If something has an impact on you then it has which of the following?
Q5.Is the following statement true or false: 'Armitage suggests that poetry is everywhere in society.'
Q6.Armitage suggests that if you try to write a poem about a brick wall then __________.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Writing about the self and the world with Simon Armitage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Writing about the self and the world with Simon Armitage, 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.