New
New
Year 4

Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols

I can read the poem and can share my personal response.

New
New
Year 4

Introduction to ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols

I can read the poem and can share my personal response.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Poetry comes in many different forms and can be written by a variety of different people.
  2. Grace Nichols, the author and poet, was born in Guyana in the Caribbean and moved to live in the UK in 1977.
  3. ‘Cosmic Disco’ is linked to the science of the stars and the universe.
  4. Poetry can communicate a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world.

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.

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

Read and display other poems from the 'Cosmic Disco' collection for pupils to enjoy.
Teacher tip

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

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Poetry is a type of __________ text that is often short.
non-fiction
Correct answer: fiction
information
explanation
Q2.
Select the rhyming words.
Correct answer: replace
rice
Correct answer: face
black
Correct answer: space
Q3.
What is group of lines in a poem called?
rhyme
Correct answer: verse
fiction
Q4.
What is a person who writes poetry called?
a poetic
Correct answer: a poet
a preacher
a journalist
Q5.
What is a disco?
a type of flying insect
a traditional ceremony performed in the mornings
Correct answer: a type of party where people dance together
Q6.
What is the atmosphere of a text?
the rhyming structure of a text
Correct answer: the mood created in a section or whole of a text
the length of a text

6 Questions

Q1.
Select the true statement.
Poetry must always rhyme.
Correct answer: Poetry is found in many different forms.
Poetry is only written by men.
Q2.
Select the true statements.
Grace Nichols only writes poetry for children.
Grace Nichols was born in London.
Correct answer: Grace Nichols has written poetry for adults and children.
Correct answer: Grace Nichols was born in Guyana.
Q3.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:constellations,groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky

groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky

Correct Answer:inter-galactic,occurring between galaxies

occurring between galaxies

Correct Answer:glad-rags,informal term for fancy or stylish clothing

informal term for fancy or stylish clothing

Q4.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:luminous,giving off light; bright or glowing

giving off light; bright or glowing

Correct Answer:waltzing,dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion

dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion

Correct Answer:rotating,turning or spinning around an axis

turning or spinning around an axis

Q5.
What does 'awe' mean?
anything related to the vast expanse of outer space, including stars and planets
Correct answer: a feeling of wonder, reverence, or admiration caused by something majestic
the ability to attract or repel other objects due to magnetism
Q6.
What does 'cosmic' mean?
groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky
giving off light; bright or glowing
Correct answer: anything related to the vast expanse of outer space, including stars and planets