Year 7 - English
Exploring memories of home in the poem 'Childhood Tracks'
Poetry about place and home
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 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 explore how James Berry presents memories of his hometown and use this to help you write about your own experiences.
Key Notes
- Berry uses sensory language in 'Childhood Tracks' to evoke a vivid image of his hometown, Jamaica.
- Berry describes details unique to Jamaica to help us have an insight into what it is like to live there.
- Berry also uses prepositions to add detail to each of his memories.
- Berry creates a nostalgic tone throughout the poem.
- Using triplets can add even more detail when writing about our memories.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Vivid: producing strong and clear images in the mind.
- Nostalgia: longing for a time in the past.
- Unique: belonging or connected to one particular place or thing.
- Preposition: a word usually signifying the direction, time or place of something else.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students may be used to starting any sensory language sentences with 'I can see, I can hear ...'
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Berry uses sensory language in 'Childhood Tracks' to evoke a vivid image of his hometown, Jamaica. Berry describes details unique to Jamaica to help us have an insight into what it is like to live there.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Vivid'
producing strong and clear images in the mind.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students may be used to starting any sensory language sentences with 'I can see, I can hear ...'. Correction: Poetry allows us to innovate with traditional writing structures to help a rhythmic flow and sense of nostalgia; help students recognise the difference between 'I can see ...' and 'Seeing ...'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing 'Search for My Tongue' Study Guide
- Analysing 'This Poem is Taking Place on Stolen Land' 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 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
Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.