An introduction to themes in the Power and Conflict poetry anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and explore modern and historic ideas about power and conflict which could be relevant to poems in the Power and Conflict anthology.
Key learning points
- We can identify and explore modern and historic ideas about power and conflict.
- Power might entail tyranny, hierarchy, dictatorship, tradition, progress, historical dominance or force.
- Conflict might be: war; tradition vs progress; man vs nature; psychological; moral; personal vs national duty.
Keywords
Power - control or influence over others
Conflict - a disagreement or struggle between opposing forces or individuals
Tyrannical - exercising power in a cruel, oppressive way.
Sovereignty - the authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
Exploitation - treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work.
Common misconception
Conflict only refers to physical conflict e.g. war
Conflict can be psychological, moral and between ideas, not just physical.
Teacher tip
Introduce pupils to a selection of poem titles. Ask pupils to predict what themes each poem may cover based on the exploration of the big ideas within 'power' and 'conflict'.
Equipment
You may want access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is power?
Q2.What is conflict?
Q3.What is unique about poetry compared to novels?
Q4.How are power and conflict related?
Q5.How can environmental issues (e.g. global warming) relate to power and conflict?
Q6.A statue of a cruel leader crumbles in the desert after many years. This example could illustrate...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This image might be said to represent...
Q2.Sovereignty relates to power and conflict because...
Q3.Which of the below is an example of abuse of power?
Q4.The use of artificial intelligence is a modern day example of...
Q5.Having difficulty choosing between a right and wrong action is an example of...
Q6.The purpose of a poem about the traumatic effects of war might be...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: An introduction to themes in the Power and Conflict poetry anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: An introduction to themes in the Power and Conflict poetry anthology, 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' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.