Lesson video

Hi there, how are you today? I hope you are doing well.

My name's Miss Afzal.

I'm doing well today because we're gonna be exploring some poetry, and I really love poetry.

Today, we're going to look at a poem called "In the Heart of a Book." It's by Liz Brownlee, and I think it's gonna be a great exploration to discover this poem together.

Let's begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can read and respond to a poem before performing it.

We have some keywords in our lesson today.

Let's go through them.

My turn, your turn.

Anaphora.

Atmosphere.

Imagery.

Gesture.

Pace.

Great to hear those words.

Let's find out what they mean.

Anaphora is when a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple lines in a poem or speech.

Atmosphere is the mood created in a section or whole of a text.

Imagery is the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader or listener.

Gesture is a movement that helps express an idea or meaning.

Pace is the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed.

These are our key words.

Let's be on a lookout for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They will be coming up in our lesson today.

So our lesson today, Reading, Responding to, and Performing "In the Heart of a Book," has two parts to it: exploring "In the Heart of a Book" and performing "In the Heart of a Book." Let's begin by exploring "In the Heart of a Book." In the heart of a Book" is a poem found in the poetry collection "Being Me: Poems about Thoughts, Worries, and Feelings." The collection contains poems written by Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow, and Laura Mucha.

Illustrations are made by Victoria Jane Wheeler.

"Being Me" features a diverse range of poems that explore various aspects, that explore various aspects of what it means to be ourselves, including topics like individuality, friendship, family, and personal growth.

What interesting topics.

Through the poems in "Being Me," readers are encouraged to celebrate their differences, embrace their strengths and weaknesses, and navigate the challenges of growing up.

What a helpful book.

Before we read the poem, what do you predict it might be about based on the title "In the Heart of a Book?" Pause the video, share with someone nearby.

Here's Izzy.

"I predict that the poem will be about the power of storytelling and how you can sometimes get lost in a book." Oh, love that.

Alex says, "I think that a poem will explore emotions, such as love, compassion, empathy, and kindness." Oh my goodness, feels wonderful to hear those words, "Because hearts are symbolic of these emotions and feelings." Thank you, Alex.

I wonder what you predicted.

Were these similar or different to your responses? And were your responses positive or negative? I wonder.

The poem we are looking at today uses Anaphora.

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

It's a poetic device.

Anaphora is used in poetry to emphasise key ideas or themes.

It can also create a rhythmic pattern in a poem, contributing to its overall structure and flow.

Let's have a look at an example of anaphora.

Hope is the light that guides us through darkness.

Hope is the beacon that leads us home.

Hope is the strength that lifts us higher.

By emphasising the word 'hope is' at the beginning of each line, anaphora can draw attention to the concept of hope while maintaining the poem's pace and momentum.

True or false? Anaphora and alliteration are the same.

Pause the video while you decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

Now, I'd like you to justify your answer.

Choose from one of these two statements.

anaphora is linked to the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of a line; alliteration is linked to repetition of the same sound.

Or anaphora can create a rhythmic pattern in a poem, contributing to its overall structure and flow.

Pause the video while you decide which of these statements links to your earlier answer and justifies it.

Well done if you selected the first statement.

And now, it's time to read the poem "In the Heart of a Book" written by Liz Brownlee.

The poem is also available in the additional materials.

"I found myself a story with a place in me to store it.

I found myself a wide, new world, so set off to explore it.

I found a scary monster, plus the way to banish it.

I found a pool of sadness and the strength to manage it.

I found the dragon in my soul, but learned the way to tame it.

I found a new ambition, a path to take and aim it.

I found a way to rest my head while my worries all unplug.

I found a curl of comfort, where each word was a hug.

I found a web of wonders, things I dream about at night.

I found a pair of magic wings and flew into the light." And now I'd like you to discuss, did the poem match your predictions from thinking about its title? Why or why not? Pause the video while you share with someone nearby.

Let's hear from Izzy.

"The poem was about the power of books.

I liked how it connected to a wide range of feelings and emotions.

I know books can be happy, sad, scary, surprising, and everything in between." Oh yes, Izzy, I love that.

Thank you for your answer.

"In the Heart of a Book" is a 20-line poem split into 10 two-line verses.

These two-line verses can be described as couplets.

The final eight lines include rhyme.

Now, I'd like you to refer back to the poem.

What is the repeated word or phrase? What effect does the anaphora have on the poem's atmosphere? Pause the video.

Share with someone nearby.

Here's Jacob.

"Repeating the words "I found" draws our attention to the different aspects of ourselves we can find in books.

The use of anaphora gives the poem a sense of wonder.

Using I made me think of texts that I have read that made me feel the different emotions Liz Brownlee describes." Thank you for sharing that, Jacob.

I could really relate to that as well.

Each of the verses present a new discovery or experience found within the world of books.

And now, I'd like you to refer to the poem, which was your favourite verse? What impression does it give you about books? Pause the video.

Share with someone nearby.

Here's Aisha.

"I like the description of the book as a "curl of comfort" and "each word as a hug." It made me think back to books that have comforted me." Oh yeah, it's so special to have books like that, isn't it, Aisha? Thank you for sharing.

And I wonder what your favourite verse was and what impression it gave you of books.

I hope you enjoyed sharing.

Liz Brownlee uses imagery to convey the poem's atmosphere.

I'd like you to refer back to the poem.

What atmosphere do you feel is conveyed in the poem? How does the poem convey this? Pause the video.

Share with someone nearby.

Here's Sofia.

"I think Liz Brownlee creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder.

She describes books as allowing readers to discover worlds different to their own when she says, "I found myself a wide new world." The poem ends by the reader taking flight." Oh, I love that bit.

That was my favourite part of the poem.

Which of the following words would best describe the poem's atmosphere? Imaginative and comforting, sad and full of despair, boring and routine.

Pause the video while you decide.

Well done if you selected imaginative and comforting.

What a great combination.

Although texts can describe and make us feel negative feelings and emotions, the poem's tone is optimistic and celebrates the power of books.

The poem has the potential to connect with readers of all ages, and it captures the universal experience of finding comfort, inspiration, and self-discovery through books.

Describe a text that you have had an emotional connection with.

What was the text? How did it make you feel? And why do you still remember it? And you could begin your answers with sentence starters such as, "The text made me feel," or, "I still remember the text because." So pause here and share your answers with someone nearby.

Here's Sofia.

"The text "Finn Jones was Here" by Simon James Green made me feel both sad, comforted, and happy.

It was memorable in how it explored themes of grief and still makes me think about making the most of every situation that I have." Oh, wonderful.

Thanks for sharing that with us, Sofia.

I think maybe a number of people might be inspired to read that based on your sharing.

So how did you get on with this task of describing a text that you had an emotional connection with? Did you remember to mention the text's title, author, and illustrator? Describe the emotions that the text made you feel? Say why the text is so important or memorable to you? And I hope you enjoyed sharing.

And as we all connect to text in different ways, our responses will be unique to just as we are.

And now, let's move on to performing "In the Heart of a Book." Reflecting on the structure and atmosphere of the poem will help communicate the meaning when we perform.

There are several other elements to consider and practise when getting ready to perform.

This includes exploring the rhythm and flow of the poem and our use of voice, gestures, and movement.

Rhythm and flow refer to the natural musicality of the poem's language.

Some poems have a strict, regular form, and this can affect a flow of how we read them aloud.

The poem "In the Heart of a Book" is a fixed verse poem.

It has two lines in each verse and includes anaphora at the beginning of each verse.

We need to find the right pace and timing when reading aloud to create a smooth and engaging performance.

Which of the following is true about the poem? "In the Heart of a Book" has no rhyming words.

The final eight lines of "In the Heart of a Book" include rhyme.

"In the Heart of a Book" is written in free verse.

Pause the video while you decide which of these statements is true.

Well done if you selected statement B.

Indeed, the final eight lines of the poem include rhyme.

Now, I would like you to reread the poem aloud and focus on rhythm and flow.

Pay attention to any patterns, including anaphora.

Think about where the words flow and where you will pause.

The line endings and punctuation can help you.

And here's a little top tip from Jun.

"Often we need to read a poem more slowly and clearly than we think, as the audience might be hearing it for the first time." Such a good point.

So pause here while you reread the poem aloud, focusing on rhythm and flow.

Our use of voice can really affect the performance of the poem.

We must enunciate clearly so that the audience can understand us.

We can also vary our tone and our volume to create different effects.

A loud volume could show excitement or intensity, while a softer volume could show mystery.

I'd like you to reread the poem.

Look out for sections that you think could be louder or quieter.

Pause the video while you do this.

I hope you enjoyed rereading the poem.

And I'm wondering why did you make the choices that you made around being louder and quieter? Pause the video while you reflect on this.

And now, I will read aloud using the following tones of voice: optimistic and uplifting, thoughtful and reflective.

And now, over to you.

I'd like you to try reading "In the Heart of a Book" using the following tones of voice: firstly, optimistic and uplifting, and then, thoughtful and reflective.

Pause the video while you do this.

What did you notice? Does each verse have a pattern you could follow with the tone of your voice? Our facial expressions and body language can help to convey meaning as we perform.

We can show surprise, wonder, or mystery with our expressions or with body movements, actions, and gestures.

I'd like you to reread the poem.

Are there any moments in the poem that you think would benefit from a particular action or gesture? Pause the video while you reread the poem and bringing in some action, expression, and gesture.

Great job, everyone.

And now, I will show you some gestures that could be used for the following imagery: opening or closing a book; reflective, deep thought; flight.

And now, over to you.

Can you show me a gesture that you could use for the following imagery? And embrace or hug.

Pause the video while you show me this.

So lovely.

How about a path or a journey? Pause the video while you make a gesture that shows this.

Wonderful, and dreaming? Pause the video while you make a gesture that shows dreaming.

Mm, dreamy, dreamy stuff.

And will you use any of these in your final performance? I wonder because it's coming up soon.

Performing with expression and emotion means showing the feelings and atmosphere of the poem through your performance.

It's about bringing a poem to life and connecting with the audience on an emotional level.

You can use all of the techniques we have practised to help you: pace and flow; tone and volume; facial expressions and body language, or gestures.

And now, I would like you to read "In the Heart of a Book" with expression and emotion.

Pause the video while you do this.

Here's Lucas.

"I emphasised the word found and use the syllable beats to help me ensure my reading flows smoothly and had a clear rhythm.

I included some gestures, but did not want to use too many.

I wanted my audience to focus on the words most of all." Oh, wonderful, Lucas.

Great finding that balance.

And now it's time for your task.

I would like you practise and then present your final performance of the poem.

You could perform the poem individually, in a pair, or in a group.

Think about rhythm and flow, use of your voice, gestures and movement, showing expression and emotion.

Pause the video while you practise and then present your final performance of this incredible poem.

Enjoy.

It is good to be back with you.

How did you get on with practising and then presenting your final performance of the poem? Pause and reflect.

Did you vary the rhythm and flow of the poem? Did you speak clearly and vary your volume? Did you use facial expressions or body movements? Did you enjoy performing? That's the main thing, I really, really hope so.

Poems can be interpreted in many different ways.

Therefore, each performance may convey different feelings and emotions to the audience.

In our lesson, Reading, Responding to, and performing "In the Heart of a Book," we have covered the following: "In the Heart of a Book" is a 20-line poem written by Liz Brownlee.

The poem is split into 10 two-line verses; the poem includes repetition through the use of anaphora; anaphora can draw attention to what books can provide readers with emotionally while maintaining the poem's pace and momentum; the poet uses imagery to convey the poem's atmosphere; Understanding a poem, its language, imagery, and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance; we can improve our performances by considering the rhythm and flow of the poem, our own use of voice, gestures and movement, and by showing expression and emotion.

Well done, everybody.

You have done so much today in this lesson, and just in the same way that Liz Brownlee has done so much in that 20-line poem, she takes us so many places and I've loved all of it.

So well done, everyone.

I'll see you again soon.

Wishing you well.