Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History'
I can explore how Agard uses language and structure to present conflict and create a didactic tone.
Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History'
I can explore how Agard uses language and structure to present conflict and create a didactic tone.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dual structure, highlighted by the use of italics , shows the separation between taught history and Black history.
- Plosives and monosyllabic words convey an indignant tone, showing the harm that is caused by colonial control.
- The poem is didactic, teaching the reader about Black history, encouraging them to find out about their own identity.
- Natural imagery and light imagery is used to portray figures from Agard’s heritage, celebrating their power.
- The final stanza shows Agard’s move from passively learning history to actively researching culture and identity.
Keywords
Didactic - determined to teach, often a moral lesson
Colonialism - the act of settling and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area
Precedence - if something takes precedence, it is considered more important than something else
Dual - consisting of two parts
Common misconception
Students may have not heard of the folk tales and nursery rhymes in the poem so may not be able to identify them as such.
The use of nursery rhymes and folk tale was a deliberate stylistic choice, perhaps Agard is indignant about the trivial nature of some of his education.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History', 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.
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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 4 english lessons from the Power and conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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