Understanding how Wordsworth presents nature in 'To My Sister'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Wordsworth presents nature.
Key learning points
- The poem is set in spring and depicts nature as calm and peaceful.
- Wordsworth implies that nature can offer an escape from life and a chance to simply relax.
- The poem was written during a time of violent, political upheaval.
- Arguably, Wordsworth may have depicted nature as calm as a contrast to the divisions in humanity.
Keywords
Romanticism - an artistic movement from the late 18th and early 19th century, focused on emotions and nature
Sublime - the mixed feelings of awe and terror in response to a phenomenon
Idleness - the enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity
Spiritual - relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things
Temper - a frame of mind; mood or humour
Common misconception
That 'temper' means anger.
While we might associate 'temper' with a 'temper tantrum', 'temper' can refer to any emotional frame of mind.
Teacher tip
It would be useful for students to share their ideas of how the poem relates to belonging so they can conceptualise where it sits within the anthology.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel Belonging anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following words is a synonym for 'mild'?
Q2.'An artistic movement from the late 18th and early 19th century, focused on emotions and nature' is the definition of ...
Q3.The poet Wordsworth is typically known for writing about ...
Q4.References to "joy" and "sing[ing]" imply a atmosphere.
Q5.Which revolution happened in 1790?
Q6.'Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things' is the definition of ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Wordsworth's 'To My Sister'?
Q2.Which season is the poem 'To My Sister' set in?
Q3.'The enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity' is the definition of ...
Q4.'The mixed feelings of awe and terror in response to a phenomenon' is the definition of the ...
Q5.Which of the following words might connect Wordsworth's 'To My Sister' to ideas of the sublime?
Q6.'A frame of mind; mood or humour' is the definition of ...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding how Wordsworth presents nature in 'To My Sister', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding how Wordsworth presents nature in 'To My Sister', 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 'Belonging' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.