New
New
Year 5

Learning and reciting stanzas four to six of 'The Highwayman'

I can recite ‘The Highwayman’ and memorise one stanza.

New
New
Year 5

Learning and reciting stanzas four to six of 'The Highwayman'

I can recite ‘The Highwayman’ and memorise one stanza.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Poems can be learned by heart and recited.
  2. Understanding of the poem's meaning can be shown through intonation, tone, volume and action.
  3. Clear diction is essential for the audience to understand the words.
  4. Using a range of recital skills can enhance our performance and audience engagement.
  5. Eye contact is an important aspect of public speaking.

Common misconception

Pupils may find it challenging to use all recital skills.

Each skill of using projection, diction and body language should be explicitly modelled. Modelling non-examples is useful for pupils to see and hear what works and what doesn't in performance.

Keywords

  • Recite - to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience

  • Projection - using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly

  • Diction - involves pronouncing words clearly

  • Body language - how we use our posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings

  • Pace - the speed at which we speak

Having pupils work in pairs or groups to memorise a stanza of their choice may support collaborative working.
Teacher tip

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).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an accurate definition of 'reciting'?
Correct answer: to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience
to give a presentation in front of an audience
to read a text from the page in front of an audience
Q2.
Which of these is an accurate definition of 'projecting'?
speaking in front of others and listening to others
Correct answer: using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly
pronouncing words clearly
how we use our posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings
Q3.
'Projecting is the same as shouting.' Is this statement true or false?
Correct Answer: false, False, fols, fals
Q4.
Match the presenting skills to their definitions:
Correct Answer:diction,involves pronouncing words clearly

involves pronouncing words clearly

Correct Answer:body language,how we use our posture and gestures to convey meaning

how we use our posture and gestures to convey meaning

Correct Answer:pace,the speed at which we speak

the speed at which we speak

Q5.
Fill in the gap. When speaking with clear _________, we take our time to pronounce words carefully.
projection
pace
body language
Correct answer: diction
Q6.
Fill in the gaps. Successful presenters speak at a _____,_____ pace so that everyone can hear them.
fast, quiet
Correct answer: slow, clear
slow, quiet
fast, clear

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Correct Answer:recite,to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience

to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience

Correct Answer:projection,using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly

using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly

Correct Answer:diction,pronouncing words clearly

pronouncing words clearly

Correct Answer:body language,how we use posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings

how we use posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings

Correct Answer:pace,the speed at which we speak

the speed at which we speak

Q2.
Match the stanzas of 'The Highwayman' with their content:
Correct Answer:stanza four,description of Tim

description of Tim

Correct Answer:stanza five,the Highwayman speaks to Bess

the Highwayman speaks to Bess

Correct Answer:stanza six,the Highwayman leaves

the Highwayman leaves

Q3.
Fill in the gap. ___________ involves looking into the eyes of the people in the audience.
Reciting
Projection
Body language
Pace
Correct answer: Eye contact
Q4.
Why is eye contact important?
Correct answer: It helps us connect with our audience and for them to feel connected to us.
It allows us to take in our surroundings.
Correct answer: It keeps the audience engaged.
It encourages us to speak more slowly.
Q5.
Fill in the gap. ____________ refers to how we use our posture and gestures to communicate feelings.
Eye contact
Pace
Diction
Correct answer: Body language
Q6.
Why is strong body language important?
Correct answer: It helps us look confident.
It helps the reader understand the words we are saying.
It involves memorising a text.