Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Agard uses language and structure to present conflict and create a didactic tone.
Key learning points
- Dual structure, highlighted by the use of italics , shows the separation between taught history and Black history.
- Plosives and monosyllabic words convey an indignant tone, showing the harm that is caused by colonial control.
- The poem is didactic, teaching the reader about Black history, encouraging them to find out about their own identity.
- Natural imagery and light imagery is used to portray figures from Agard’s heritage, celebrating their power.
- The final stanza shows Agard’s move from passively learning history to actively researching culture and identity.
Keywords
Didactic - determined to teach, often a moral lesson
Colonialism - the act of settling and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area
Precedence - if something takes precedence, it is considered more important than something else
Dual - consisting of two parts
Common misconception
Students may have not heard of the folk tales and nursery rhymes in the poem so may not be able to identify them as such.
The use of nursery rhymes and folk tale was a deliberate stylistic choice, perhaps Agard is indignant about the trivial nature of some of his education.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to conduct research about the key figures in the poem so they can better understand Agard's choice of language in describing them.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In the poem 'Checking Out Me History', who was Agard not taught about?
Q2.What is appropriate contextual link for the poem 'Checking Out Me History'?
Q3.When describing black figures in 'Checking Out Me History', Agard uses...
Q4.The tone of 'Checking Out Me History' seems to be both...
Q5.The last stanza of 'Checking Out Me History' reveals that Agard...
Q6.In 'Checking Out Me History' what does Agard reveal is one effect of colonialism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What type of structure is there in 'Checking Out Me History'?
Q2.What is the effect of monosyllabic words in the poem 'Checking Out Me History'?
Q3.What do the words "sunrise", "beacon" and "fire" from 'Checking Out Me History' have in common? What is the effect?
Q4.In 'Checking Out Me History' what does Agard suggest is impossible?
Q5.How is the poem ‘Checking Out Me History’ didactic?
Q6.Which of the below best explains Agard's inclusion of nursery rhyme and folk tale in 'Checking Out Me History'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History', 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 4 English lessons from the Power and conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.