Performing ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can perform the poem ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols.
Performing ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can perform the poem ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘Cosmic Disco’ is a free verse poem without a strict line length or rhyming structure.
- Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
- We can improve our performances of poetry through practice.
- The rhythm and flow, our use of voice, gestures and movement & showing expression and emotion all help our performance.
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
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.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Performing ‘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: Performing ‘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
the mood created in a section or whole of a text
describing a non-living thing as if it is a person
the repetition of the same sound found at the start of words
informal term for fancy or stylish clothing
giving off light; bright or glowing
turning or spinning around an axis
groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky
occurring between galaxies
dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion