Year 7 - English
Analysing 'This Poem is Taking Place on Stolen Land'
Poetry about place and home
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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 and respond to poems that explore the links between place and identity. They start by exploring a selection of poems including Grace Nichol's 'Island Man' and Lemn Sissay's 'Anthem of the North'. They then write and perform their own poems about place and home.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Clarke presents colonisation in 'This Poem is Taking Place on Stolen Land'.
Key Notes
- 'This Poem is Taking Place on Stolen Land' is a poem about the colonisation of Native America.
- Clarke shows her condemnation of Native America's colonisation through the title and the description of the colonisers.
- Clarke laments the devastating effects that colonisation has had on Indigenous populations.
- Clarke ends the poem by emphasising the strength and resilience of Indigenous populations.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Indigenous: people inhabiting land before the arrival of colonists
- Colonialism: the practice of acquiring control over another country
- Displaced: move something from its usual position
- Connotations: the feelings, images or associations that come to your mind when you hear a word
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students may not immediately understand the title if they have never come across 'colonialism' before.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'This Poem is Taking Place on Stolen Land' is a poem about the colonisation of Native America. Clarke shows her condemnation of Native America's colonisation through the title and the description of the colonisers.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Indigenous'
people inhabiting land before the arrival of colonists.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students may not immediately understand the title if they have never come across 'colonialism' before. Correction: Take some time unpicking why Clarke equates colonisation to stealing.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing 'Search for My Tongue' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Island Man' by Grace Nichols Study Guide
- Comparing poems about place and home Study Guide
- Considering the nature of home Study Guide
- Exploring example poems about place and home Study Guide
- Exploring memories of home in the poem 'Childhood Tracks' Study Guide
- Exploring regional pride in the poem 'Anthem of the North' Study Guide
- Exploring the link between place and identity Study Guide
- Exploring what home means through the poem 'Filter' Study Guide
- Performing our poems about place and home Study Guide
- Planning ideas for a poem about your home Study Guide
- Using punctuation in poetry Study Guide
- Writing our own poetry about home Study Guide
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