Developing interpretations of ‘Mother, any distance’ with Simon Armitage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use Simon Armitage’s comments to develop my interpretations of ‘Mother, any distance’.
Key learning points
- Armitage says personal writing must convey a specific emotion.
- He describes the poem as a "rite of passage" that explores the uncertainty of life transitions.
- Armitage identifies "Kite. Anchor" as the most significant part, highlighting its effective ambiguity.
- Armitage states that the "space imagery" is "generational", placing the poem in a particular time period.
- Armitage's ideas can help develop interpretations of the poem.
Keywords
Umbilical cord - the tube connecting a baby to its mother in the womb, supplying nutrients and oxygen
Disclose - to reveal or make information known
Sentimental - expressing or influenced by tender feelings or emotions, often excessively
Economy - careful use of resources to avoid waste
Common misconception
A poet will always make choices with a clear intention or meaning.
Armitage reveals that poetic choices can be deliberately ambiguous, allowing for multiple interpretations and personal responses.
Teacher tip
Consider using discussion as a way to respond to the videos.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson. The poem is also available in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Mother, Any Distance' is about...
Q2.The image of the anchor in 'Mother, any distance' could symbolise how...
Q3.What statement best describes the significance of the words “fall" and fly”?
Q4.Is the statement true or false? The poem uses the metaphor of measuring to explore the child’s increasing independence.
Q5.Which word completes this quotation from the poem 'Mother, any distance'? "I "
Q6.Which poetic technique is used in the line describing a "hatch" and a "sky" that is "endless" in 'Mother, Any Distance'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is the statement true or false? For 'Mother, any distance', Armitage was inspired by a party game played with matches, where each person has the time it takes for a match to burn to tell their story.
Q2.Which statement best describes what the poem ‘Mother, any distance’ represents?
Q3.Why does Armitage say he would not write the poem 'Mother, any distance' now?
Q4.How does Armitage describe his feelings towards the poem ‘Mother, any distance’?
Q5.Is the statement true or false? Armitage states that the the words "Kite" and "anchor" can be interpreted solely as the control of his mother and the freedom he craved.
Q6.What does Armitage say is significant about the “space imagery” in the poem 'Mother, any distance'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing interpretations of ‘Mother, any distance’ with Simon Armitage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing interpretations of ‘Mother, any distance’ 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 4 English lessons from the 'Love and Relationships' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.