Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can read the poem and can share my personal response.
Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can read the poem and can share my personal response.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Poetry comes in many different forms and can be written by a variety of different people.
- Grace Nichols, the author and poet, was born in Guyana in the Caribbean and moved to live in the UK in 1977.
- ‘Cosmic Disco’ is linked to the science of the stars and the universe.
- Poetry can communicate a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world.
Keywords
Poem - a piece of writing that uses creative and rhythmic language to express thoughts, feelings or ideas
Cosmic - anything related to the vast expanse of outer space, including stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial bodies
Metaphor - a poetic device that makes a comparison between two things by stating that one thing is another, creating deeper layers of meaning
Awe - a feeling of wonder, reverence, or admiration caused by something majestic, beautiful, or extraordinary
Common misconception
Children can think that there is only one way to respond to a poem and you can have the right or wrong understanding of it.
Avoid posing questions which may lead children to the idea that there is a right or wrong answer when discussing the poem. Try to encourage open responses to the poem, celebrating each unique response from individuals.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols, 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 inspired by weather unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2013 Frances Lincoln Children’s Books edition of ‘Cosmic Disco’ written by Grace Nichols for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky
occurring between galaxies
informal term for fancy or stylish clothing
giving off light; bright or glowing
dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion
turning or spinning around an axis