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Year 10 - English

Understanding the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather' by Andrew Waterhouse

'Love and Relationships'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Love and Relationships' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in four groups, and they pause after each group to compare how those poems present common themes.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how Waterhouse presents the multifaceted experience of reflecting upon memories of a loved one.

Key Notes

  • The speaker of the poem is reminiscing about a childhood memory of climbing their grandfather's body.
  • The speaker initially feels safe and secure when reminiscing about his grandfather.
  • The climb, and act of remembering, becomes increasingly difficult, risky and even dangerous.
  • The grandfather is presented as an ambiguous figure, both comforting yet also mysterious.
  • Waterhouse often wrote about the natural world and family relationships.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Reminiscing: reflecting on past experiences with fondness
  • Memories: recollections of the past that shape our history and identity
  • Ambiguous: something that is open to interpretation because it could have multiple meanings
  • Multifaceted: having various aspects or layers
  • Reassuring: offering comfort, support or confidence to alleviate concerns

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The speaker is actually climbing a mountain.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The speaker of the poem is reminiscing about a childhood memory of climbing their grandfather's body. The speaker initially feels safe and secure when reminiscing about his grandfather.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Reminiscing'

reflecting on past experiences with fondness.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The speaker is actually climbing a mountain. Correction: The speaker compares the experience of climbing up his Grandfather's body as a child to climbing up a mountain.

More Lessons In This Unit

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