Understanding the poem 'Storm on the Island'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Heaney presents the power of nature and ‘The Troubles’ of Northern Ireland in ‘Storm on the Island’.
Key learning points
- ‘Storm on the Island’ can be read as a poem about the power of nature on the Aran Islands.
- Heaney may have been influenced by the conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.
- ‘Storm on the Island’ was published in 1966, when the IRA were carrying out military operations in Northern Ireland.
- The storm can be read as an extended metaphor for ‘The Troubles’.
- 'The Troubles' refers to a violent thirty-year civil conflict in Ireland which led to around 3,500 deaths.
Keywords
Extended Metaphor - a metaphor that extends over the course of several lines
Civil - relating to citizens of the same country
Unrest - a state of disturbance, involving public disorder
Common misconception
There is only one interpretation of the poem 'Storm on the Island'.
The poem can be a reflection of the power of nature, conflict between humans and nature, the political conflict or all.
Teacher tip
Consider using videos or other resources to contextualise 'The Troubles' for students if they have no prior knowledge of this historical event.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the AQA Power & Conflict Poetry Anthology for GCSE.
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 an extended metaphor?
Q2. is information which allows us to understand the social, historical or cultural background of a text.
Q3.What is sibilance?
Q4.What might be the definition of a civil war?
Q5.A is a group of words closely related in meaning.
Q6.What connotations might we have of the word 'island'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does Heaney present nature in 'Storm on the Island'?
Q2.The conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland between the 1960s-1998 was known as...
Q3.Which two interpretations are most commonly explored in relation to 'Storm on the 'Island'?
Q4.What might the pronoun "we" used in 'Storm on the Island' suggest about the poem?
Q5.The ‘Storm’ in the title 'Storm on the Island' can be read as…
Q6.In 'Storm on the Island', Heaney uses a semantic field of __________ to describe nature in the poem.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'Storm on the Island', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'Storm on the Island', 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.