Year 6 - English
Performing the poem 'London' by William Blake
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 perform the poem 'London' by William Blake, learning some sections by heart.
Key Notes
- After we have taken time to understand a poem's meaning, themes and structure, we can learn a poem off by heart.
- Learning poetry by heart offers a range of benefits, both emotionally and academically.
- Hiding certain words in a poem engages readers in active retrieval practice, strengthening our memory recall.
- Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
- We can improve our performances by considering the pace, the atmosphere and our own use of voice and movement.
Vocabulary To Learn
- by heart: to learn something in such a way that you can say it from memory
- 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
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find learning the entire poem off by heart challenging.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
After we have taken time to understand a poem's meaning, themes and structure, we can learn a poem off by heart. Learning poetry by heart offers a range of benefits, both emotionally and academically.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'by heart'
to learn something in such a way that you can say it from memory.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find learning the entire poem off by heart challenging. Correction: The lesson focuses on learning the first two verses by heart. If pupils are successful, they could try committing the entire poem to memory.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Comparing two poems on similar themes, 'Richmond Park' & 'The Old Farmer's Song' Study Guide
- 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 '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
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.