Poetic devices used in ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can identify a range of poetic devices.
Poetic devices used in ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols
I can identify a range of poetic devices.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Poets can use a range of poetic devices to enhance the meaning or impact of their poems.
- Personification is describing a non-living thing as if it is a person.
- Imagery is the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader or listener.
- Alliteration is when words that begin with the same sound are placed close together.
Keywords
Personification - describing a non-living thing as if it is a person
Metaphor - a poetic device that makes a comparison between two things by stating that one thing is another
Imagery - the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader or listener
Alliteration - when words that begin with the same sound are placed close together
Common misconception
Pupils may confuse a metaphor with a simile.
Explain that both metaphors and similes are ways of using language to compare. Metaphors compare by saying something 'is' somthing else, whilst similes use the word 'as' or 'like'. There are no similes in this poem.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Poetic devices used in ‘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: Poetic devices used in ‘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
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky
occurring between galaxies
dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion
informal term for fancy or stylish clothing
giving off light; bright or glowing
turning or spinning around an axis