Exploring memories of home in the poem ‘Childhood Tracks’
I can explore how James Berry presents memories of his hometown and use this to help me write about my own experiences.
Exploring memories of home in the poem ‘Childhood Tracks’
I can explore how James Berry presents memories of his hometown and use this to help me write about my own experiences.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Berry uses sensory language in 'Childhood Tracks' to evoke a vivid image of his hometown, Jamaica.
- Berry describes details unique to Jamaica to help us have an insight into what it is like to live there.
- Berry also uses prepositions to add detail to each of his memories.
- Berry creates a nostalgic tone throughout the poem.
- Using triplets can add even more detail when writing about our memories.
Keywords
Vivid - producing strong and clear images in the mind.
Nostalgia - longing for a time in the past.
Unique - belonging or connected to one particular place or thing.
Preposition - a word usually signifying the direction, time or place of something else.
Common misconception
Students may be used to starting any sensory language sentences with 'I can see, I can hear ...'
Poetry allows us to innovate with traditional writing structures to help a rhythmic flow and sense of nostalgia; help students recognise the difference between 'I can see ...' and 'Seeing ...'
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Childhood Tracks' by James Berry for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
The aroma of fresh bread wafted through the kitchen.
The sweet juice of the apple seeped onto her tongue.
She swept her fingers over the soft silk.
The orange and pink hues of the sunset were mesmerising.
Loud caws echoed in the cave.