Year 4 - English
Performing 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols
Poetry inspired by weather
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read, respond to and perform four different poems associated with weather. They discuss the poetic devices used and explore structure and imagery. Finally, they write their own poems inspired by the weather.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to perform the poem 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols.
Key Notes
- 'Cosmic Disco' is a free verse poem without a strict line length or rhyming structure.
- Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
- We can improve our performances of poetry through practice.
- The rhythm and flow, our use of voice, gestures and movement & showing expression and emotion all help our performance.
Vocabulary To Learn
- free verse: a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure
- atmosphere: the mood created in a section or whole of a text
- pace: the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed
- gesture: a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think a person can be 'good' or 'bad' at performing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'Cosmic Disco' is a free verse poem without a strict line length or rhyming structure. Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'free verse'
a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think a person can be 'good' or 'bad' at performing. Correction: Explain that successful performances need practice, like any skill. By identifying the elements that contribute to a successful performance, we can then practise them. You could show videos of real poets performing their own poetry.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Introduction to 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols Study Guide
- Poetic devices used in 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols Study Guide
- Preparing to write poetry about the heat Study Guide
- Preparing to write poetry inspired by rain Study Guide
- Publishing an original poem Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'First Snow' by John Mole Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'When the Wind Blows' and 'Heatwave' by John Foster Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'Who Has Seen the Wind?' by Christina Rossetti Study Guide
- Writing a poem about the heat Study Guide
- Writing a poem about the rain Study Guide
- Writing a poem about the snow Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 4 English guide library.