Analysing the poem 'Poppies'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Weir uses language and structure to explore grief.
Key learning points
- The title could be suggestive of remembrance, the many grieving mothers of war or the outward display of deeper grief.
- Bird imagery may reflect the mother letting go of her son or the way in which she represses her grief.
- Two sestets either side of two longer stanzas may suggest the mother trying hard to contain her emotions for her son.
- The domestic and textile imagery may also show the mother’s containment of grief.
- Textile imagery also suggests the limitations of the mother’s ability to protect her son outside of the home.
Keywords
Grief - intense sorrow usually associated with the death of something or someone
Repress - to keep something under control and not let it come to the surface
Selflessness - concern more with the desires and needs of others rather than one’s own
Common misconception
Pupils may not notice the significance of the textile imagery.
The textile imagery was carefully chosen for the poem, Jane Weir would have been very conscious of putting this in as she was a textile designer.
Teacher tip
When on the feedback task in the second learning cycle, you may want to live mark a pupil's response on the visualiser.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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.Who is 'Poppies' written from the perspective of?
Q2.in the poem 'Poppies', Weir describes how the mother "smoothed" her son's shirt "collar". How does the mother seem?
Q3.Throughout the poem 'Poppies', Weir uses frequent...
Q4.Which symbol in the poem 'Poppies' best links to the idea that the mother may be at peace with her son's death?
Q5.Look at these words: "steeled", "blockade", "reinforcements". All of these words fit the semantic field of...
Q6.Through the dramatic monologue form used in 'Poppies'...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Poppies', Weir describes how the the mother "steeled" her face. What could this reflect?
Q2.The act of "releasing" the bird in 'Poppies' could represent...
Q3.In 'Poppies', the two sestets either side of long stanzas could reflect…
Q4."The word “stitch” could further reflect how the mother tries to keep her grief neat and tidy." This response to the poem 'Poppies' contains...
Q5.What is one way to ensure a nuanced answer when writing essays about poems?
Q6.Why might Weir have chosen the title "Poppies"?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Poppies', 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 'Poppies', 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 Conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.