Good morning Pads pens journals take them out

Good morning

Pads, pens, journals – take them out 24 th Sept

Heading Unseen Poetry 2

Last time, in English Class. • We examined ‘A Room in the Past’. • We explored what one should look for when faced with a unseen poem. • We confirmed that you, the students, are not mindless robots and that you have opinions. • You had homework – to answer the questions on the handout. • And some of you gave me Q. cards with questions you’d like answered.

Last weeks Q. Cards • Q. How many points do you need to be a teacher? • Answer – Roughly 320 – 380 to enter an arts course. • Points vary depending on the collage or the specific courses you choose. • Type CAO points and your interest into Google to find out more.

Q. Card 2 • I don’t like poetry. • Answer – We’ll have to change that now, won’t we.

What’s happening today. • We’re going to read another Unseen L. C. poem. • Choose one line you find interesting and explain why. • We’re going introduce the B. F. G. method (Brainstorming for greatness). • You’re going to answer the questions after we analyse poem one. • When we’re finished then, you’re going to use the same method to analyse poem two, by yourself (with some help).

Nettles • My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin, And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again. By Vernon Scannell

A line you found interesting? • What are the images? What could they mean? • Does it make you think of something else? (association or link) • Does it make you feel something? • Is there a purpose to the poem – ‘Am I meant to think or feel this way? ’ • You can also comment on the structure. There is a rhyming scheme here. Perhaps you like that.

ANSWE R

Images Feelings ANSWER Links Meanings

Idea Images Feeling Idea ANSWER Links Meaning Idea

Idea Images Feelings Answer Meanings Links Idea

Before we read the poem • What might help us? • What might give us hints as to what to focus on? • What should I read before the poem?

Question One • What impression of the nettles do you get from this poem? Give a reason for your answer. • Impression – there is more than meets the eye.

Question Two • What do you think the poet means by the last line of the poem? • There is something important in the last line of the poem.

Well done everyone • What line did you choose and why?

Nettles • My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

Nettles • My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

Nettles • My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

Nettles • The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

Nettles • The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

Nettles • The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

Nettles • And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

Nettles • And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

Nettles • And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

Nettles • A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Nettles • A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Nettles • A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Now • Would it surprise anyone if I told you that the poet, Vernon Scannell, fought in World War Two. His father fought in World War One. He left or ‘deserted’ the army, hates war with a passion and it is a central theme in many of his works.

The Questions • What is the question asking now, after we have read the poem?

Nettles • What do the Nettles represent and how? • How does the poet feel about them, how does he deal with them and does it work? • WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The last line • My son would often feel sharp wounds again. • Many words to focus on here: – Son – what does the son represent? – Often – what does this mean? – Feel sharp wounds – what does this mean? – Again – what does this mean?

Now Answer • Good luck.

Now do this all one more time • Sentimental Moment – by Robert Herson. • Read the questions • Read the poem • Brainstorm. Think of the images that you could use in a powerpoint presentation.