Year 5 - English
Reading and performing 'Blackbird' by John Foster &'Hawk Roosting' by Ted Hughes
Poetry inspired by animals
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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 classic and contemporary poetry about animals by a range of different poets. They explore form, structure and language, whilst developing personal responses. Finally, pupils use a range of strategies to support learning poetry by heart.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to read two poems aloud with confidence and expression.
Key Notes
- 'Blackbird' is a cinquain by John Foster with five lines of a set syllabic structure.
- 'Hawk Roosting' can be described as a fixed verse poem; it consists of six verses, each with four lines.
- 'Hawk Roosting' is written in first-person perspective.
- We can explore poems in depth by reading them aloud and performing them.
Vocabulary To Learn
- enjambment: when a line in poetry continues onto the next line without pause or punctuation, creating a sense of flow
- perspective: the point of view from which the poet writes, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood
- interpretation: the process of understanding and assigning meaning to a poem
- cinquain: a form of poetry consisting of five lines, typically with a specific syllable count or pattern
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find it challenging to discuss how perspective can have an effect on their understanding of the poem and its themes.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'Blackbird' is a cinquain by John Foster with five lines of a set syllabic structure. 'Hawk Roosting' can be described as a fixed verse poem; it consists of six verses, each with four lines.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'enjambment'
when a line in poetry continues onto the next line without pause or punctuation, creating a sense of flow.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to discuss how perspective can have an effect on their understanding of the poem and its themes. Correction: It may be useful to remind pupils of the different perspectives that writing can take and the effect they can have on a reader or listener.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Exploring human relationships with animals through poetry Study Guide
- Introduction to 'The Tyger' by William Blake Study Guide
- Learning animal poetry by heart Study Guide
- Performing 'The Tyger' by William Blake Study Guide
- Reading and performing 'The Snow Leopard' by Philip Gross Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'Pike' by Ted Hughes Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'The Invaders' and 'Kingfisher' by John Foster Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'The Tyger' by William Blake Study Guide
- Reading, responding to&performing 'A Bird came down the Walk' by Emily Dickinson Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.