Considering perspective in 'Sweet Jamaica'
I can explore the meaning of a song.
Considering perspective in 'Sweet Jamaica'
I can explore the meaning of a song.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 'Sweet Jamaica' was written by Lord Kitchener in London, 1952, four years after his arrival on HMT Empire Windrush.
- ‘Sweet Jamaica’ shows a change in perspective from Lord Kitchener, after he had spent time in London.
- The song creates negative imagery in its lyrics, portraying themes of regret, nostalgia and homesickness.
- By exploring the context, themes and perspectives, we can gain a better understanding of the song.
Keywords
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 poem
Perspective - the point of view or position from which the artist writes, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Context - the setting or background that helps us to understand something better
Common misconception
Pupils may feel that the Windrush experience was overly negative. Many people from the Caribbean experienced racial discrimination and found themselves in very challenging circumstances.
There were some positives that occurred as a result, including the setting up of the Notting Hill Carnival. Pupils may wish to explore this further.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Considering perspective in 'Sweet Jamaica', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Considering perspective in 'Sweet Jamaica', 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 2 english lessons from the Poetry about migration unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the lyrics & recording of ‘Sweet Jamaica’ by Lord Kitchener which is featured on the 2013 Honest Jon’s Records album ‘London Is The Place For Me’ for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a booklet issued during times when it was hard to get hold of items
traditional Jamaican dish made from the fruit ackee and salted cod
a well-known tourist destination in Jamaica
use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses
the point of view or position from which the artist writes
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
the setting or background that helps us to understand something better