Understanding the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey
I can explain how Casey presents the conflict between the ruling and the working classes.
Understanding the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey
I can explain how Casey presents the conflict between the ruling and the working classes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Casey shows pride in her working class roots.
- The poem was written when Margaret Thatcher came to power as UK Prime Minister.
- Some people argue Thatcher waged a 'class war' against the working classes.
- Casey's poem reflects the way some people looked down on the working class.
Keywords
Trade unions - associations of workers formed to protect and promote their collective interests
Exacerbated - made worse or more severe
Hierarchy - a system where groups of people are ranked above one another according to status, authority, or importance
Sociolect - variations in language influenced by social factors like class, education or ethnicity within a community
Privatisation - the transfer of ownership/control of public services from the government to private companies
Common misconception
Casey was working class and wrote about her own life experiences in the poem.
Not much is known about Mary Casey. She did come from a working class background but we cannot be certain if this poem reflects her own life experiences. This is why it is important to use tentative language when analysing a literary text.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey, 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 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the Edexcel Poetry Anthology for this lesson to read ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey. We will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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