New
New
Year 6

Comparing and contrasting 'London is the Place for Me' and 'Sweet Jamaica'

I can make comparisons between songs with different perspectives.

New
New
Year 6

Comparing and contrasting 'London is the Place for Me' and 'Sweet Jamaica'

I can make comparisons between songs with different perspectives.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘London is the Place for Me’ was written by Aldwyn ‘Lord Kitchener’ Roberts in 1948.
  2. ‘Sweet Jamaica’ was written four years after his arrival on the Empire Windrush, in 1952.
  3. We can compare and contrast songs with similar themes or messages, noticing the impact that they have on us as readers.
  4. Understanding the context of the songs can support readers to form deeper reflections.
  5. From reading, listening and discussing songs about migration, we can make connections to our own lives and experiences.

Keywords

  • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text

  • Context - the setting or background that helps us to understand something better

  • Imagery - the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the song

  • Compare - involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts

  • Contrast - involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts

Common misconception

Pupils may discuss other similarities and differences between the songs (such as song structure, genre).

Verbally model examples based on themes and imagery used.

You may wish to explore the changes in the pupils' take away ideas from their first encounter with 'London is the Place for Me' (the second lesson in this unit). Ask pupils to note how their opinions have changed, having learnt more about the context of 'Sweet Jamaica'.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the lyrics & recording of ‘Sweet Jamaica’ & 'London is the Place for Me' by Lord Kitchener which is featured on the 2013 Honest Jon’s Records album ‘London Is The Place For Me’.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Lord Kitchener had visited Jamaica before migrating to Britain.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q2.
Which of the following is the most suitable definition of nostalgia?
Correct answer: sentimental longing for past experiences or times
part of a song that is repeated several times
phenomena or beings that are beyond the natural or ordinary world
Q3.
Which of the following best describes the atmosphere of the lyrics of 'Sweet Jamaica'?
happy and joyful
Correct answer: nostalgic and regretful
adventurous and explorative
Q4.
Match the following words from the song to their definitions.
Correct Answer:"bugging",annoying or bothering

annoying or bothering

Correct Answer:West Indian,an antiquated term to refer to people from the Caribbean

an antiquated term to refer to people from the Caribbean

Correct Answer:"passage",the cost or ticket for traveling from one place to another

the cost or ticket for traveling from one place to another

Q5.
True or false? Montego Bay is a famous location in Britain.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
Match the following words from the song to their definitions.
Correct Answer:"darling",a term of endearment, expressing affection and love

a term of endearment, expressing affection and love

Correct Answer:"heaven",a place of ideal happiness and peace

a place of ideal happiness and peace

Correct Answer:"saviour",someone or something that can save someone else

someone or something that can save someone else

6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Both songs describe London using positive imagery.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q2.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:theme,a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text

Correct Answer:imagery,the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader

the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader

Correct Answer:compare,involves identifying similarities between two or more things

involves identifying similarities between two or more things

Correct Answer:contrast,involves identifying differences between two or more things

involves identifying differences between two or more things

Q3.
Which of the following are similarities between the two songs?
the imagery used is linked to fond memories of Jamaica
Correct answer: the author's pursuit of a better life
the imagery used describes a thriving, busy city
Correct answer: the theme of migration
Q4.
True or false? Exploring the context can allow us to develop a deeper understanding of the songs and their impact.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q5.
What is the most appropriate definition of the word belonging?
something that is not known, identified, or understood
a state of being alone, peaceful or secluded
Correct answer: a sense of fitting in or feeling like you are an important member of a group
Q6.
True or false? Lord Kitchener’s views of migration changed between the release of ‘London is the Place for Me’ and ‘Sweet Jamaica’.
Correct Answer: True, true