Comparing ideas of nature and identity in Robinson, Nichols, and Antrobus' poems
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare how Robinson, Nichols, and Antrobus use language, form and structure to explore ideas of nature and identity in their poems.
Key learning points
- Arguably, Robinson’s use of sensory language creates a sense of comfort while Antrobus creates a sense of discomfort.
- Arguably, both Nichols and Antrobus subvert poetic forms in order to critique humanity’s relationship with nature.
- Nichols’ use of irregularity may reflect the uncertainty of the planet’s future due to anthropogenic climate change.
- In contrast, Robinson’s use of irregularity may reflect the sense of freedom from daily life that “paradise” brings.
Keywords
Synchronise - a state in which two or more people or things move or happen together at the same time and speed
Empathise - to be able to understand how someone else feels
Anthropogenic - relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
Evocative - bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
Common misconception
When two poets use the same technique then they have the same intended outcome.
Poetic techniques can be interpreted in a number of different ways, so you can't assume that if a second poet uses the same technique as a first then it will have the same meaning.
Teacher tip
It may be useful to recap Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise', Nichols' 'Like an Heiress', and Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely' before this lesson.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Neither Nichols, Robinson, nor Antrobus' poems have a pattern to their structure in the AQA Worlds and Lives poetry anthology. This means they have __________ structure.
Q2.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise'?
Q3.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Nichols' 'Like an Heiress'?
Q4.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely'?
Q5.If a poem doesn't meet the expectations of a form then it's said to __________ the form.
Q6.Relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature is known as ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When two or more people or things move or happen together at the same time and speed it is known as being .
Q2.Both Robinson and Antrobus use in their poems from the AQA Worlds and Lives poetry anthology to allow the reader to empathise with the speaker.
Q3.Which of the following is the definition of evocative?
Q4.Nichols subverts the sonnet form in 'Like an Heiress' by .
Q5.Both Robinson and Nichols use an irregular structure in 'A Portable Paradise' and 'Like an Heiress'; however, while Robinson is arguably suggesting freedom, Nichols may be reflecting ...
Q6.The final word of Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise' is ...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Comparing ideas of nature and identity in Robinson, Nichols, and Antrobus' poems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Comparing ideas of nature and identity in Robinson, Nichols, and Antrobus' poems, 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 World and lives poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.