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Year 10
Edexcel

Understanding how Bridges presents nature in 'Clear and Gentle Stream'

I can explain how Bridges presents nature and humanity's connection to nature.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Understanding how Bridges presents nature in 'Clear and Gentle Stream'

I can explain how Bridges presents nature and humanity's connection to nature.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Robert Bridges' poetry reflects his deep Christian faith.
  2. 'Clear and Gentle Stream' illustrates how Bridges was influenced by nature as well as his spirituality.
  3. Bridges' use of natural imagery implies that humans belong in nature and that this sense of belonging will be lasting.
  4. The religious connections in 'Clear and Gentle Stream' could suggest that our souls belong in nature.

Common misconception

That idleness means laziness.

Idleness can also mean enjoying periods of rest and relaxation.

Keywords

  • Belonging - a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group

  • Tranluscent - implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond

  • Content - in a state of peaceful happiness

  • Spiritual - relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things

  • Idleness - the enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity

It would be useful for pupils to share their ideas about the connections between religious imagery and the idea of belonging in nature so that they can conceptualise how the poem connects to the theme of belonging.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel Belonging anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'A feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group' is the definition of ...
Correct Answer: belonging
Q2.
We might associate something "clear" with ideas of ...
Correct answer: purity.
pollution.
corruption.
Q3.
Which of the following are synonyms of "content"?
Correct answer: pleased
Correct answer: happy
dissatisfied
dejected
Q4.
A stream is a ...
Correct answer: small, narrow river.
small body of still water.
very large expanse of water.
Q5.
Having an "old seat" somewhere implies that you ...
Correct answer: are a regular visitor.
are just passing through.
feel uncomfortable.
Q6.
Something that permits the passage of some light through it, is something ...
transparent.
Correct answer: translucent.
opaque.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The idea of returning to a place suggests that you feel there.
Correct answer: comfortable
uncomfortable
unhappy
Correct answer: happy
Q2.
'Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things' is the definition of .
Correct Answer: spiritual
Q3.
Which image from Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Stream' implies a deep, lifelong connection with nature?
"fish"
"grass"
"sun"
Correct answer: "swans"
Q4.
'The enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity' is the definition of ...
Correct Answer: idleness, idle
Q5.
The image of a "deep bell" in Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Spring' could be a reference to imagery.
Correct Answer: religious
Q6.
The idea that we can't properly see the edges of the stream in Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Stream' could imply ideas of ...
ephemerality.
Correct answer: eternality.
temporality.