Understanding the poem 'Checking Out Me History'
I can explain how Agard presents identity in ‘Checking Out Me History’.
Understanding the poem 'Checking Out Me History'
I can explain how Agard presents identity in ‘Checking Out Me History’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Agard received a Eurocentric perspective on history, growing up in Guyana whilst it was a British colony.
- Agard shares his indignation that the education system restricted him from understanding his full identity.
- In his poem, Agard affirms his Caribbean heritage through his use of Guyanese creole.
- Agard celebrates Caribbean figures, neglected in his history lessons, in the italicised sections of the poem.
- One of Agard’s messages could be the importance of breaking free from restrictive systems.
Keywords
Eurocentric - focusing on European culture to the exclusion of the rest of the world
Indignant - showing anger or frustration at unfair treatment
Creole - a language developed from a mixture of different languages
Colonisation - the act of settling and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area
Indigenous - the people inhabiting a land before the arrival of colonists
Common misconception
Students may think that Agard went to school in Britain and that is the reason for his Eurocentric education.
Agard was schooled in Guyana whilst it was a British colony, this is the reason for his Eurocentric education. Learning about the colonisation of Guyana can help students to understand Agard's indignation.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding 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: Understanding 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.
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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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