Understanding the poem ‘Us’ by Zaffar Kunial
I can explain how Kunial presents societal and individual conflict.
Understanding the poem ‘Us’ by Zaffar Kunial
I can explain how Kunial presents societal and individual conflict.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Kunial was born in Birmingham, to an English mother and Pakistani father.
- Kunial's poems often refer to identity and cultural heritage.
- In his poem 'Us', Kunial uses the collective pronoun to highlight how society needs to be more tolerant.
- Kunial's poem is about both divisions and togetherness.
- Although the speaker of the poem believes in unity, they admit this is difficult with their personal relationships.
Keywords
Societal divisions - differences within society based on class, race, religion, or other factors
Unity - working together; joined as a whole
Fluid - flexible, adaptable; capable of flowing or changing shape easily
Abstract - existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
Concrete - opposite of abstract; something clear and specific you can see, feel or sense
Common misconception
The speaker of the poem wants everyone to be more tolerant and united.
Although the speaker does claim to want this, he does also confess that he finds it challenging at times, especially when it comes to his personal relationship with "you".
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Us’ by Zaffar Kunial, 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 ‘Us’ by Zaffar Kunial, 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 Belonging 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 'Us' by Zaffar Kunial (included in the Edexcel GCSE Poetry Anthology - 'Belonging' cluster).
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
flexible, adaptable; capable of flowing or changing shape easily
existing in thought or as an idea but not in the physical world
something clear and specific you can see, feel or sense