KS3 Year 8: Approaching Poetry

A bundle consisting of the following resources:

A two-lesson sequence introducing Andrew Forster’s poem “Brothers”, designed to support mixed-ability Year 8 students in developing confidence with poetry analysis, interpretation, and discussion of relationships as a theme.

A three-lesson sequence introducing Andrew Forster’s poem “Mother, Diving”. The lessons develop skills in poetry analysis, personal interpretation, and evaluative thinking, with an optional fourth lesson for green-pen reflection and redrafting.

Two lessons, one introducing Grace Nichols’ poem “Praise Song for My Mother”, the other is preparation for a timed writing task based either on PSFMM or another poem based on the theme of relationships.

The slides include:

• A simplifed framework for approaching unseen poetry.
• Scaffolded tasks that move from surface meaning to deeper analysis.
• Guided annotation on language, structure, and imagery.
• Big Questions to frame discussion of parent–child relationships.
• Group activities encouraging collaborative interpretation.
• Modelled writing and planning grids.
• A recap and plenary task consolidating learning.

These lessons are designed for a mixed-ability Year 8 English class. The lessons develops skills in poetry analysis and annotation; personal interpretation and wider connections on the theme of relationships. The timed writing prep develops independent planning skills.