New
New
Year 6

Exploring structure and language in 'London is the Place for Me'

I can develop understanding of a song by exploring the artist’s use of structure and language.

New
New
Year 6

Exploring structure and language in 'London is the Place for Me'

I can develop understanding of a song by exploring the artist’s use of structure and language.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘London is the Place for Me’ is a fixed verse song; it contains four verses each with five lines and a repeated refrain.
  2. The 1st and 2nd verses can be described as following the rhyme scheme of AABBA; the rhyme scheme varies in verses 3 - 5.
  3. ‘London is the Place for Me’ can be described as being in strophic form: it uses the same melody repeated for each verse
  4. Semantic mapping is a technique used to explore the rich meaning of a word or phrase.
  5. Impressions can be formed about a song once readers or listeners have a secure understanding of the language used.

Keywords

  • Form - the way that a text can be presented

  • Rhyme scheme - the pattern of rhyming words or sounds at the end of each line in a poem, often represented using letters to indicate the rhyme pattern (e.g., AABB, ABAB)

  • Semantic mapping - a visual technique used to organise and represent the relationships between concepts or ideas

  • Impression - initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a text

Common misconception

Pupils may over-rely on one method for developing comprehension of new or unfamiliar words.

Explain that words can be understood in different ways (e.g. “sociable” could be understood by 'reading around the word' or 'identifying the word class'). Encourage pupils to use a range of methods where applicable.

You may also wish to explore the use of hyperbole and enjambment when analysing the song lyrics.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the lyrics & recording of ‘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’ for this lesson.

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.
Lord Kitchener was born in which island nation? Trinidad and ...
Cuba.
Haiti.
Correct answer: Tobago.
Jamaica.
Q2.
Put the following historical events into chronological order.
1 - First World War, 1914-1918
2 - Second World War, 1939-1945
3 - National Health Service (NHS) established, 1948
4 - Queen Elizabeth II becomes Queen, 1952
5 - Notting Hill Carnival established, 1966
Q3.
The potential for higher earnings and improved living standards was a __________ factor for people from the Caribbean.
push
Correct answer: pull
stationary
Q4.
Which of these definitions best describes the theme of optimism?
the process of adapting to a new environment
Correct answer: being hopeful and confident about the future
being social and interacting with others in a warm way
Q5.
Which of the following strategies can be used to identify themes in songs?
Correct answer: considering actions and characteristics of the speaker and people they mention
looking at the title of the song
Correct answer: identifying repetition (actions, emotions, traits)
Q6.
The British Nationality Act was established in which year?
1939
1945
Correct answer: 1948
1966

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:form,the way that a text can be presented

the way that a text can be presented

Correct Answer:rhyme scheme,the pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line in a song

the pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line in a song

Correct Answer:semantic mapping,a visual technique used to represent the relationships between ideas

a visual technique used to represent the relationships between ideas

Correct Answer:impression,initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading

initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading

Q2.
What is the rhyme scheme of the first verse?
ABBBC
Correct answer: AABBA
ABCBA
Q3.
What form does the song 'London is the Place for Me' have?
free verse form
verse-chorus form
Correct answer: strophic form
Q4.
Match the three parts of the word "broadmindedly" to their individual definitions.
Correct Answer:broad,wide, extensive

wide, extensive

Correct Answer:minded,having a particular mindset or way of thinking

having a particular mindset or way of thinking

Correct Answer:ly,turns the word into an adverb

turns the word into an adverb

Q5.
Which meaning best describes the use of “broadmindedly” in the context of the song?
Lord Kitchener wants the listener to believe him.
Lord Kitchener is speaking loudly.
Correct answer: Lord Kitchener is offering his opinion openly.
Q6.
True or false? Describing the country as a “Mother” only conveys a positive image.
Correct Answer: False, false