Year 4 - English
Preparing to write poetry about the heat
Poetry inspired by weather
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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 prepare to write a poem about the heat.
Key Notes
- A tanka is a traditional Japanese form of poetry that originated more than 1,300 years ago.
- Tankas consist of five lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5-7-7, totalling 31 syllables.
- Tankas often explore themes of nature, emotions and the passage of time.
- We can make specific language choices to describe the intensity of the heat.
- We can use vocabulary in different ways, depending on its position in a sentence, if it is a verb, adjective or noun.
Vocabulary To Learn
- form: the way that a poem can be presented
- tanka: a form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines with a specific syllable pattern (5-7-5-7-7), often expressing emotions, observations or narratives
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may be unsure of some of the definitions and synonyms of words associated with the heat.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A tanka is a traditional Japanese form of poetry that originated more than 1,300 years ago. Tankas consist of five lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5-7-7, totalling 31 syllables.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'form'
the way that a poem can be presented.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may be unsure of some of the definitions and synonyms of words associated with the heat. Correction: It would be beneficial to have completed the Y4 Mrs Wordsmith vocabulary unit on 'Weather: wind and hot words' ahead of this lesson, to support children with generating vocabulary.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Introduction to 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols Study Guide
- Performing 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols Study Guide
- Poetic devices used in 'Cosmic Disco' by Grace Nichols 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
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