New
New
Year 4

Performing ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols

I can perform the poem ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols.

New
New
Year 4

Performing ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols

I can perform the poem ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘Cosmic Disco’ is a free verse poem without a strict line length or rhyming structure.
  2. Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
  3. We can improve our performances of poetry through practice.
  4. The rhythm and flow, our use of voice, gestures and movement & showing expression and emotion all help our performance.

Common misconception

Pupils may think a person can be 'good' or 'bad' at performing.

Explain that successful performances need practice, like any skill. By identifying the elements that contribute to a successful performance, we can then practise them. You could show videos of real poets performing their own poetry.

Keywords

  • Free verse - a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure

  • Atmosphere - the mood created in a section or whole of a text

  • Pace - the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed

  • Gesture - a movement that helps express an idea or meaning

You could film pupils' performances of the poem to share with others. This can help to add a sense of purpose to their performances.
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.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:atmosphere,the mood created in a section or whole of a text

the mood created in a section or whole of a text

Correct Answer:personification,describing a non-living thing as if it is a person

describing a non-living thing as if it is a person

Correct Answer:alliteration,the repetition of the same sound found at the start of words

the repetition of the same sound found at the start of words

Q2.
Which sentence contains alliteration?
Correct answer: The circular Sun is a sizzling sphere.
The Moon gazes serenely.
The Sun looks on warmly.
Q3.
Which sentence shows personification?
The universe is infinite.
The universe is a grand celestial symphony.
Correct answer: The universe hides its secrets so that nobody can find them.
Q4.
What poetic device is used in this sentence? The universe is a grand symphony.
alliteration
Correct answer: metaphor
personification
simile
Q5.
What is body language?
the language spoken by people in the UK
Correct answer: the way people communicate through movements and gestures, without words
words that have the root word 'body'
Q6.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:glad-rags,informal term for fancy or stylish clothing

informal term for fancy or stylish clothing

Correct Answer:luminous,giving off light; bright or glowing

giving off light; bright or glowing

Correct Answer:rotating,turning or spinning around an axis

turning or spinning around an axis

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

dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion

6 Questions

Q1.
What is free verse?
a poem with five verses
Correct answer: a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure
a poem with only one verse
Q2.
What does 'pace' mean in poetry?
Correct answer: the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed
the mood created in a section or whole of a text
a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
Q3.
What is a gesture?
facial expressions
Correct answer: a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
a type of exercise
Q4.
Which phrases describe the atmosphere of the poem 'Cosmic Disco'?
Correct answer: positive and energetic
scary and menacing
Correct answer: awe-inspiring and amazing
dull and lifeless
Q5.
What could help to improve your performance of a poem?
Correct answer: speaking clearly and with appropriate volume
speaking as fast as you can
speaking into your hand
Correct answer: speaking with the right pace and timing
Q6.
What could help to improve your performance of a poem?
standing behind a door
Correct answer: using facial expressions
Correct answer: using gestures
looking at the ground