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Year 11
Edexcel

Comparing ideas about transience in unseen poetry

I can compare ideas about transience in unseen poetry.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Comparing ideas about transience in unseen poetry

I can compare ideas about transience in unseen poetry.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The transience of life is an idea that impacts us all.
  2. The idea of transience is explored across literature, including many different poems.
  3. Arguably, both Laskey and Robertson consider ideas of transience in their poems.
  4. Laskey's 'Nobody' could relate to how we need to take opportunities in life when we have the chance.
  5. Robertson's 'Donegal' may relate to how our relationships with others are always growing and changing.

Common misconception

That the idea of life being temporary must always be a sad notion.

The idea of life being temporary might inspire us to live life to the fullest.

Keywords

  • Transience - the state or fact of lasting only for a short time

  • To muse - to think about something carefully and thoroughly

  • Temporary - lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent

  • Optimistic - hopeful and confident about the future

  • Permanent - existing perpetually; everlasting

These are difficult concepts so it would be useful for pupils to share their ideas around transience as a whole class discussion to ensure understanding by all.
Teacher tip

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.
Building a snowman is something you can do ...
Correct answer: some of the time
all of the time
never
Q2.
You're generally considered a teenager when you turn ...
sixteen.
twenty.
Correct answer: thirteen.
Q3.
'Hopeful and confident about the future' is the definition of being ...
Correct Answer: optimistic
Q4.
A child's relationship with their parents is likely to as they grow older.
stay the same
Correct answer: change
grow distant
Q5.
Ardent means ...
Correct answer: very enthusiastic.
a lack of interest.
slightly enthusiastic.
Q6.
To muse means to ...
Correct answer: think deeply.
feel regretful.
think briefly.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which natural image appears in Laskey's 'Nobody'?
Correct answer: snow
flowers
sand
Q2.
Which statement about the father and daughter in Robertson's 'Donegal' is the most accurate?
Correct answer: The father feels as if the daughter doesn't need him anymore.
The father is trying too hard to hold onto his daughter.
The father feels as if the daughter relies on him fully.
Q3.
'Lasting for only a limited period of time' is the definition of being ...
Correct Answer: temporary
Q4.
'Existing perpetually; everlasting' is the definition of being ...
Correct Answer: permanent
Q5.
Which of Laskey's 'Nobody' and Robertson's 'Donegal' arguably has a more optimistic tone?
Correct answer: Laskey's 'Nobody'
Robertson's 'Donegal'
neither
Q6.
'The state or fact of lasting only for a short time' is the definition of ...
Correct Answer: transience., transient

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