New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Understanding how Wordsworth presents nature in 'To My Sister'
I can explain how Wordsworth presents nature.
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Understanding how Wordsworth presents nature in 'To My Sister'
I can explain how Wordsworth presents nature.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The poem is set in spring and depicts nature as calm and peaceful.
- Wordsworth implies that nature can offer an escape from life and a chance to simply relax.
- The poem was written during a time of violent, political upheaval.
- Arguably, Wordsworth may have depicted nature as calm as a contrast to the divisions in humanity.
Keywords
Romanticism - an artistic movement from the late 18th and early 19th century, focused on emotions and nature
Sublime - the mixed feelings of awe and terror in response to a phenomenon
Idleness - the enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity
Spiritual - relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things
Temper - a frame of mind; mood or humour
Common misconception
That 'temper' means anger.
While we might associate 'temper' with a 'temper tantrum', 'temper' can refer to any emotional frame of mind.
It would be useful for students to share their ideas of how the poem relates to belonging so they can conceptualise where it sits within the anthology.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel Belonging anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following words is a synonym for 'mild'?
harsh
heavy
Q2.
'An artistic movement from the late 18th and early 19th century, focused on emotions and nature' is the definition of ...
Q3.
The poet Wordsworth is typically known for writing about ...
animals
space
Q4.
References to "joy" and "sing[ing]" imply a atmosphere.
negative
neutral
Q5.
Which revolution happened in 1790?
The Glorious Revolution
The American Revolution
Q6.
'Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things' is the definition of ...
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following is an accurate summary of Wordsworth's 'To My Sister'?
The sister is trying to get the speaker to come outside for a walk.
The speaker is trying to get their sister to allow her son to come outside.
Q2.
Which season is the poem 'To My Sister' set in?
summer
winter
autumn
Q3.
'The enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity' is the definition of ...
Q4.
'The mixed feelings of awe and terror in response to a phenomenon' is the definition of the ...
Q5.
Which of the following words might connect Wordsworth's 'To My Sister' to ideas of the sublime?
"mild"
"idleness"
"heart"
Q6.
'A frame of mind; mood or humour' is the definition of ...