Lesson on poetry

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Introduction

We are going to watch a video in which people play a game of tug o' war. 

Does the game of tug o' war look very friendly to you?

Do you think that these people are likely to become friends?

Writer of this poem

Discussion

Step 1: What is this poem about? What does it literally mean?

- Discuss in fours

Step 2: What do you think the writer of this poem was trying to say in this poem? What is it about?

- Discuss in fours

How much do you like or dislike this poem? Rate the poem on a scale of 1-10

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Get to work!

Your are going to work on one of two poems. At the end you will do an assignment on that topic. Choose:

Green - If you want to work on a poem that is the base level for this lesson.

Blue - If you want to challenge yourself with a more difficult poem.

What is peer pressure?

1. The feeling of pain in your body. It feels like pressure on your chest and/or stomach.
2. The feeling of having to do something because others are doing it or telling you to do it.

What is the Dutch word for peer pressure?

Have you experienced peer pressure yourself? Write down one example below.

Vocabulary: Drag the Dutch descriptions to the English words or phrases

Dejected

odd one out

Swim against the tide

being left out

To go with the flow

Buiten-gesloten worden

Met de stroom meegaan

Gevoel van verdriet

Tegen de stroom ingaan

Iets of iemand die er niet tussenpast

You are now going to read the poem "Peer pressure" by Karl Nova. Read it carefully and look up any words you might not know. 

The writer of this poem

In the next slide you will see the writer of this poem recite (voordragen) his poem. Listen carefully to how he does it and pay special attention to his rhythm and emphasis on words 

Analysing the poem

In your notebook:

1. Write down quite literally what the poem is saying. 

2. What is your personal interpretation of this poem? What is it trying to say? What is the message?

How much do you like or dislike this poem? Rate the poem on a scale of 1-10

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R.A.P - Rhythm and Poetry?

It's unlikely that you have made a comparison between poetry and rap music before. But are they really that different? Listen to the song "I'm gonna make it" by Karl Nova. 

Do you recognize:

- The rhyme in many of his lines?

- The type of message he is sending?

Assignment: Get to work!

You have read a poem by Karl Nova on peer pressure. It is now time to do one of the following assignments.

1. Write a message/letter to someone who is going to high school next year. Write about how to handle peer pressure situations in the years to come (min 150 words)

2. Think of a time where you might have done something because of peer pressure. Describe that situation. Do you regret your decisions looking back on them? How would you handle it now or in the future? (min 150 words)

The death of a mate

Watch the following sketch about a group of friends who are having a funeral for their lost friend.

Is it an actual funeral? 

Why are they having this funeral?

Note: Some of language is quite harsh

Have you experienced a friend spending less time with you after they had gotten a boyfriend or girlfriend?

Yes, I have

No, I haven't

Why would it be important to not forget about your friends after you get into a relationship?

In the next slides you will get some very useful vocabulary for the poem to come. Read it so you will beter understand the poem. Next, you are going to read the poem and you can hear someone recite (voordragen) it in the slide thereafter. 

Useful vocabulary

Rose-briar: Rozenstruik

Holly-tree: Hulstboom

Bloom: Bloeien

Bloosom: Bloesem

Scorn: Verachten/minachten

Deck: Iets aankleden

Garland: (Kerst)krans

The writer of this poem

Analysing the poem

In your notebook:

1. Try to write down, as literal as possible, what this poem is describing.

2. What is your personal interpretation of this poem? What is it trying to say? What is the message?

How much do you like or dislike this poem? Rate the poem on a scale of 1-10

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Assignment: Get to work!

You have read a poem by Emily Brönte about how important it is to not forget your friends when you find yourself in a relationship. It is now time to do one of the following assignments.

1. Write a memoir about a friend that you lost to a relationship. Act like he or she has passed away and how you will miss him or her. Talk about at least two memories that you share (min 150 words)

2. Write a missionplan for a secret mission to get your friend back. Get as creative as possible. How are you going to, step by step, reclaim your friend or make the boyfriend or girlfriend disappear? (min 150 words)