Hello, and welcome to today's lesson.

My name is Ms. Watson, and I'm delighted that you've decided to join me today.

We've got a really interesting lesson lined up where we are going to be exploring the theme of nostalgia and comparing how nostalgia is presented in poems from the Edexcel Belonging Anthology.

So when you're ready, when you have your anthology, we'll get started.

So the outcome of today's lesson is that you will be able to compare how poets present their nostalgic memories of childhood.

We're going to start by looking at the key words.

There are five key words today, all really useful for unlocking your learning.

The first one is nostalgia.

This is a feeling of pleasure but also mixed with slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past.

If something is subtle, it is not obvious, and it requires a careful attention to notice or understand it.

Something that is tenuous is weak, unimportant, or in doubt.

So a tenuous link is a doubtful or a weak link.

That's going to be really relevant when we come to look at choosing which two poems to compare.

And melancholic is an adjective describing, expressing feelings of sadness.

And the word belonging refers to a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group.

So if you would like a little bit of time to familiarise yourself with the key words, please feel free to pause the video and return to the lesson when you're ready.

So we have three learning cycles today.

We're going to start by conceptualising nostalgia, looking at what it means, and then we are going to compare themes and attitudes in poetry.

And we are going to finish by comparing poets' use of methods.

Now the four poems I would like us to work with today are these.

Wordsworth's "To My Sister," Landon's "Captain Cook, To My Brother," Bridges' "Clear and Gentle Stream" and Hood's "I Remember, I Remember." Now let's have a discussion.

I would like you to discuss how you would summarise each of the four poems. And if you are working by yourself, just make a few notes.

Either way, you need to pause the video and have a think about those four poems. Off you go.

So welcome back.

What a fantastic discussion.

I'd like to share with you what the Oak pupil said.

So Sam summarised "To My Sister" and said that "To My Sister" depicts the speaker trying to convince their sister to spend the day in nature.

And Sofia said that, "I Remember, I Remember" is about a speaker reminiscing about their happy childhood.

And Laura said that "Clear and Gentle Stream" is about a speaker recounting their continued joy in nature.

And Izzy said that "Captain Cook, To My Brother" is about a speaker reminiscing about their childhood with their brother.

There are four really good summaries there, so let's move on and think more about nostalgia.

So let's recap what nostalgia means.

It is that feeling of pleasure but also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past.

It's really important that you understand that it is a mixed feeling, both pleasure and slight pain.

Now thinking about what it means, I would like you to discuss which of the following four poems has the most tenuous link to nostalgia and why do you think that? Remember tenuous means weak.

So which of those four has the weakest link to the feeling of nostalgia? So, please, can you pause the video while you have that discussion, or if you're working by yourself, pause the video and just make a few notes.

Off you go.

Again, a really interesting discussion.

Let me share what Izzy said.

She thought that Wordsworth's "To My Sister" has the most tenuous link because while it portrays an idyllic view of nature, the speaker is looking forward to spending time in nature rather than looking back.

So that was a very good explanation there.

Let's move on.

Now we are going to have a check for understanding.

Would you say it's true or false to say that Landon's "Captain Cook, To My Brother" links effectively to the theme of nostalgia? True or false? Have a think.

Make your choice.

It's true.

But why is it true? Well, you might say it's true because Landon's "Captain Cook, To My Brother" evokes the speaker's joyous happy memories of imaginative play with their brother who they no longer have a close relationship with.

Can you see how the mixture of pleasure and slight sadness is there? There are happy memories of the play, but we can also appreciate that there is grief that there is no longer a close relationship.

Well done if you've got that right.

Let's move on.

Now all of the poems that we've discussed so far are part of the Edexcel Belonging Anthology.

You can see belonging is another of our keywords, that's why we've put it in bold, and it means a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group.

And we're focusing on the theme of nostalgia.

So what I want you to think about and discuss is how might the theme of nostalgia relate to the bigger idea of belonging? And what might a consideration of nostalgia tell us about the concept of belonging? They're two quite challenging questions, but I really, really want you to dig deep into them and make connections between those two ideas.

Pause the video to have the discussion or pause the video while you make a few notes.

Off you go.

So welcome back and congratulations again on such a fantastic discussion.

I was really impressed with the respectful way that you listen to each other.

I would like to share with you Sam and Sofia's discussion, and I'd like you to think about how much, how well do their ideas align with yours.

So Sam says that considering ideas of nostalgia helps us to see where people previously felt safe and happy.

You might think the Landon poem is a good example of that and Sofia said that it can then help us to consider what has changed, either to make the place no longer feel as safe or happy, but also to think about what that says about humanity and society.

So I think Sofia there is really touching on this idea that when we think about the past and our role in the past, we are also thinking about human beings and what society is like and how society can change, and not always for the better.

So if you want to think a little bit more about those ideas, maybe add them to yours, please, you can do that now.

You can pause the video while you do that and then rejoin the lesson for the next part.

So we've made really good progress today.

We've been thinking about nostalgia and we've been thinking about how we make links between poems and ideas.

And now we are gonna move on and compare themes and attitudes.

Now when comparing two poems, it's always best to focus on connections between key themes and ideas in order to avoid feature spotting.

And it may be useful to ask yourself the following questions.

What do you think both poets would say to one another if they were in the same room? I really love that approach.

I think it's quite imaginative and it really brings the poems alive to think of them as the poets having a conversation.

And do you think they would say something similar, a similar thing about a certain theme or idea? And how have the poets created subtle differences in meaning around a similar theme or idea? Often the best comparisons look at subtle differences: small, slight, ones you really have to think about to notice.

And lastly, why do you think the poets might've created subtle differences? What was their motivation and intention? So they're four really good questions to have in your mind to consider when you start looking at two poems. So imagine you've been given this question.

How do the poets present nostalgia in "Captain Cook" and one other poem? And I'd like you to have a discussion.

And the discussion is how would you answer the following questions, these, to compare the key ideas? So pause the video, keep the ideas in front of you, and have a discussion in which you answer those questions.

If you're working by yourself, just keep the ideas there and think about those questions, and make a few notes.

So off you go.

Welcome back.

What a fantastic discussion you had there.

I'm going to share Izzy's answers with you.

And as I'm doing that, I'd like you to think how well do they align with your ideas? So in response to this question, what do you think both poets would say to one another if they were in the same room? Izzy wrote, "Both poets may discuss how their own life experiences influence their writing and the ideas explored in their poetry." Really interesting answer, making reference to how you might use context when you are discussing the poets and their ideas.

And then this question.

Do you think they would say a similar thing about a certain theme or idea? Well, Izzy wrote, "Well, both poems may have similar ideas about nostalgia, in particular around happy memories of childhood juxtaposed with melancholic notions of the present." Juxtaposed meaning side by side.

So really good answers there.

And this question, how have the poets created subtle differences in meaning around a similar theme or idea? Izzy thought that Landon's nostalgic view considers the breakdown of a relationship whilst Hood's "I Remember, I Remember" reflects on a changing personal perspective on life.

So here she's looked for the difference within the nostalgia.

And for the last question, why do you think the poets might have created subtle differences? Izzy wrote, "Contextually, Landon's relationship with her brother broke down in adulthood while Hood suffered from ill health throughout his adult life." So I want you to think about how well those ideas align with yours.

Compare your responses with Izzy's.

Let's have a check for understanding.

After identifying initial similarities, the best comparative analysis will explore the, blank, between both poems, and what should go in that blank? Is it, a, obvious differences, b, subtle differences, c, tenuous differences or, d, the wider contexts? Have a think.

Make your choice.

Did you say b, subtle differences? That's the right answer.

That exploring subtle differences between text helps to produce a detailed and nuanced analysis.

Well done if you've got that right.

Let's move on.

Now one way to effectively write about similarities and differences is to use comparative conjunctions, correlative conjunctions and comparatives.

Now examples of comparative conjunctions are equally, likewise, similarly, in contrast, whereas, however, and alternatively.

And correlative conjunctions, examples are either or, neither nor, both and, not only but also, and whether or.

And for comparatives, there is the simple word more, which is very useful when talking about the differences between two poems. Now let's move on and see these grammatical structures in action.

For example, we might say Landon explores a nostalgic view of childhood imaginary play, similarly, Hood also depicts the loss of childhood innocence with sadness.

And you can see that similarly, we're using a comparative conjunction there.

And we might say that neither Landon nor Hood express the concept that the joy and innocence of childhood can be carried into adulthood, neither nor to show that neither of them are doing it.

And, arguably, we might read Hood's "I Remember, I Remember" as the more evocative, given Hood's struggles with ill health in adulthood.

So we have that very simple comparative there.

So now let's have a check for understanding.

Is it true or false to say that both Landon and Hood express a nostalgic view of childhood using comparative conjunctions? Have a think.

Make your choice.

Did you say that it was false? Well done.

Why is it false? Have a think.

You might say that both dot dot dot and is an example of a correlative conjunction.

So well done if you've got that right.

Let's move on.

So now I want you to practise comparing two poems. You're going to be comparing Hood's "I Remember, I Remember" with "Clear and Gentle Stream." So one that we have looked at in this lesson and then another one.

And you're going to be comparing how Hood and Bridges present nostalgia.

A reminder of the questions that you will find useful when you answer that question.

One, what do you think both poets would say to one another if they were in the same room? Two, do you think they would say a similar thing about a certain theme or idea? Three, how have the poets created subtle differences in meaning around a similar theme or idea? And four, why do you think the poets might have created subtle differences? So pause the video while you answer those questions.

Make sure you have the poems open in front of you, and off you go.

Welcome back, before we move on to the last part of the lesson, I would like you to reflect on the comparisons that you have done so far.

I want you to answer these two questions.

Which comparison did you find it easier to make? The comparison between Landon's "Captain Cook, To My Brother" and Hood's "I Remember, I Remember," or the comparison between Hood's "I Remember, I Remember" and Bridges' "Clear and Gentle Stream"? And when you've decided that, I want you to think about why do you think you might have found one set of poems easier to compare than another? I think reflecting on that second question will really help you decide what it is you need to work on next.

So pause the video while you reflect on the comparisons and then rejoin me for the last learning cycle.

So what we are going to be looking at in the last part of the lesson is methods, the techniques that poets use to convey their ideas.

And we are going to be comparing poets' use of methods.

So once you've identified connections between the key ideas in both poems, you can then begin to explore similarities and differences between how both poets convey these ideas.

And it is best to select your evidence that links to the key ideas you've identified and then analyse the language form and structure.

So when I say select your evidence, find the appropriate quotations.

Now I'm gonna share an example that Sam made.

He was making the following connection between Landon's "Captain Cook, To My Brother" and Bridges' "Clear and Gentle Stream." And Sam said that both poets depict nature in an idealistic, yet nostalgic way.

And Sam uses a single paragraph outline to plan this paragraph.

The topic sentence, remember we write the topic sentences in full.

Both poets depict a nostalgic view of childhood and evoke a sense of a loss of joy and innocence in later life.

And the supporting detail that Sam intends to use is "We leave in leaving childhood, life's fairy land behind." From "Captain Cook," and "Clear and Gentle Stream, this quotation, "The idle dream of my boyish day." Really interesting quotations have been chosen there by Sam.

And I would like you to discuss can you identify any literary methods in these quotations? Pause the video while you have that discussion or pause the video and just make a few notes.

Let me share with you what Sam noted.

That for "Captain Cook," the fantastical language.

The word fairy, which creates a sense of magic and mystery.

And for "Clear and Gentle Stream," again, fantastical language.

The word dream evokes a sense of the joy and freedom of childhood.

So identified similarities, yes, well done, Sam, but has strayed from the focus of the topic sentence because the topic sentence is about nostalgia and the sense of loss of joy and innocence in later life.

So Sam had another go.

And much better.

So we have semantic field, leave, leaving, behind, which implies that the idealised fairy land of childhood is now in the past.

Hasn't lost that quotation about fairy and fairy land, but is now rooting it securely in the idea of there being a loss.

And in "Clear and Gentle Stream," the link of dream and boyish implies that wishes and hopes for the future are no more.

So we could summarise by saying that this time Sam has managed to identify nuanced similarities in the poet's use of language and ensure that the analysis is relevant to the topic sentence.

So let's have a check for understanding.

There are gaps in the paragraph below.

Lemme read it to you.

The most effective comparative analysis writing leads by comparing key, the word begins with an I, supported with a word beginning with E, from each poem.

It's a really good idea to identify similarities in how the poets use a word beginning with L, then a word beginning with F, and a word beginning with S, to convey these key, a word beginning with I.

And this helps to ensure your analysis is, a word beginning with D and then a word beginning with N.

So have a think about what you think should go in those blank.

You can pause the video while you do that and then I will share the correct answers with you.

So welcome back.

Are you ready for me to share the answers.

Here they are.

The most effective comparative analysis writing leads by comparing key ideas, supported with evidence from each poem.

It's a really good idea to identify similarities in how the poets use language, form and structure to convey these key ideas.

And this helps to ensure your analysis is detailed and nuanced.

Very well done if you've got those right.

Let's move on.

Now what I'd like you to do is to complete your own single paragraph outline in which you compare "Captain Cook, To My Brother" and "Clear and Gentle Stream." So the topic sentence is going to be this, both Landon and Bridges evoke a melancholy sense of the present day.

And then for the supporting detail, you are going to select some supporting evidence from each poem and analyse it, identifying subtle similarities and differences in how both poets convey their key ideas.

And then you are going to summarise your comparative analysis and consider why you think both writers convey their ideas in this way.

Remember, the concluding sentence of a single paragraph outline also needs to be written out in full.

All the discussions you've had and the notes you've made in this lesson will be really, really useful for this task, so make sure you have everything you need and then pause the video, and off you go.

Welcome back.

Well done on your intense focus here.

That was excellent.

Let me share with you how you could have completed the single paragraph.

So there's the topic sentence.

Both Landon and Bridges evoke a melancholy sense of the present day and the supporting detail could be, "The life that cometh after dwells in a darker shade." And the repetition of that plosive d with dwells and darker really enhances the melancholic sense of life becoming darker after childhood.

And My voice is spent with my old lament" for "Clear and Gentle Stream." And you might have looked at the notion of being spent, because it implies that the speaker has no energy left.

Rather than dreams, they now have lethargy, which is an extreme form kind of exhaustion and can't be bothered.

And the concluding sentence, you could've written something like this, that both Landon and Bridges depict the present day in a dark, lethargic tone in comparison to the joy of their childhood.

If there's anything you would like to take from this single paragraph outline to add to yours, pause the video while you do that and then return for the end of the lesson.

So before we say goodbye, I would like to summarise what you have been learning today.

You've been learning that poems can be linked by theme, for example, nostalgia.

And that poems can be linked by attitude, considering how the poets feel about the subject they are addressing.

And you've also learned that poems can be connected by how poets use similar imagery or techniques to address different issues.

And you have learned that correlative and comparative conjunctions are useful for signposting the similarities and differences between both texts.

So can I just say thank you again for coming to the lesson? I wish you a brilliant rest of the day and I look forward to seeing you in another lesson about the poetry of belonging.

Bye for now.

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