Year 6 - English
Performing the poem 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova
Poetry of place
Study Hub
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 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 'The City of your birth' by Karl Nova.
Key Notes
- 'The City of my birth' is a poem that was written by Karl Nova in 2017 and it is influenced by hip-hop culture.
- The atmosphere that the poem creates is one of a busy, energetic and joyful city.
- There is a natural rhythm and flow throughout the poem.
- Making notes on the poem about which words to emphasise can help a performer get ready to perform the poem.
- Practising the poem ahead of time helps to improve a performance.
Vocabulary To Learn
- atmosphere: the feeling or mood created in a section or whole of a text
- rhythm: the pattern of sounds made by the words and stresses when spoken aloud
- flow: how smoothly the words of a poem move from one to the next
- syllable: a beat within a word
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that free verse poems have no structure to them.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'The City of my birth' is a poem that was written by Karl Nova in 2017 and it is influenced by hip-hop culture. The atmosphere that the poem creates is one of a busy, energetic and joyful city.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'atmosphere'
the feeling or mood created in a section or whole of a text.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think that free verse poems have no structure to them. Correction: Ensure that pupils read and re-read the poem many times. Each time they do so, they will hear more of the natural rhythms, beats and flow within it.
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 'London' by William Blake 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.