Writing and developing a response to an unseen poem
I can write and then build on a response to an unseen poem.
Writing and developing a response to an unseen poem
I can write and then build on a response to an unseen poem.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When approaching an unseen poem, you might ask questions about the voice, perspective, structure and imagery.
- In order to build on that initial response, you might use discussions in order to build on your ideas.
- Dunmore's 'Next Door' may be interpreted as the speaker being judgemental of their neighbours.
- On the other hand, it may be interpreted as an exploration of how we are all reflections of each other.
Keywords
Ambiguous - open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations
Reflection - casting back a light or heat, mirroring or giving back or showing an image
Merge - combine or cause to combine to form a single entity
Perspective - the position from which something is viewed
Judgemental - to express a bad opinion of someone's behaviour, often because you think you are better than them
Common misconception
Analysing a text is an individual exercise.
Having discussions around a text can help us build on our ideas and reconsider different ways of interpreting the text.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Writing and developing a response to an unseen poem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Writing and developing a response to an unseen poem, 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 4 english lessons from the Unseen poetry unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Helen Dunmore’s ‘Next Door’ which is available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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