Year 6 - English
Comparing two poems on similar themes, 'Richmond Park' & 'The Old Farmer's Song'
Poetry of place
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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 classic and contemporary poetry about a range of settings. They explore imagery and form, whilst developing personal responses and comparing poems. Finally, pupils write their own poem about a place of significance.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to compare and contrast two poems depicting a rural setting.
Key Notes
- 'Richmond Park' is a free verse poem; the poem offers contrasting views of the setting it describes.
- 'Richmond Park' is based on a place which is near to where the poet grew up.
- 'The Old Farmer's Song' can be described as a fixed verse poem; it has a consistent rhyme scheme.
- Both poems describe the harshness and beauty of rural life.
- We can compare and contrast poems with similar themes or messages, noticing the impact that they have on us as readers.
Vocabulary To Learn
- theme: a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
- imagery: the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem
- compare: involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts
- contrast: involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find it challenging to visualise the two settings being described by the poets.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'Richmond Park' is a free verse poem; the poem offers contrasting views of the setting it describes. 'Richmond Park' is based on a place which is near to where the poet grew up.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'theme'
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to visualise the two settings being described by the poets. Correction: Additional photographs could be provided to develop understanding of the two locations.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Developing background knowledge about 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Exploring form in 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Exploring imagery in 'Eastbourne' by Joseph Coelho Study Guide
- Exploring imagery in 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Exploring imagery in 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova Study Guide
- Exploring impact in 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Performing the poem 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Performing the poem 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'No. 115 Dreams' by Jackie Kay Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan Study Guide
- Writing a poem about a place Study Guide
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