Give
by Simon Armitage
WALT
Explore the main themes of the poem, and
comment on the speaker’s opinions and voice.
Explore the main themes of the poem, and
comment on the speaker’s opinions and voice.
Some comments on the themes and the
speaker’s voice (band 3)
Clear comments on themes and speaker’s voice
with well selected evidence to support points
(band 4)
Thoughtful comments showing clear
understanding and insight supported by
exploring language used in the poem (band 5)
Settler
TASK: For each of the words you are given,
write around it ALL of the connotations you can
think of.
Starter - Connections
What links
these
objects?
Can you
link them
to your
words?
What are your feelings towards the
homeless?
What is society’s attitude towards the
homeless?
How did he end up here?
TASK: In groups, discuss the reasons that people end up
on the streets. Are there some reasons which make
people more deserving of society’s help than others?
Simon Armitage
“I think we are a species that looks for pattern, and looks for
significance, and looks for meaning in a life, probably where
there isn't that much meaning or significance, you know, unless
you're devoutly religious. So I think it's a way of not finding
significance but actually inventing it, inventing significance and
sort of proving it to yourself.”
TASK: This is a quote from the poet we’re about to hear from.
Based only on this, what sort of person do you think he is? What
sort of topics do you think his poetry explores?
A Reading
TASK: As we watch the clip, think about what
Armitage is trying to make us think about.
1. He wants us to question ourselves, but what
about?
2. How does he feel about homelessness?
3. What does he suggest is the deeper meaning
of his poem?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/simon-armitage-on-his-poem-give/13453.html
Looking Back
TASK: Look once again at your words. Now
knowing the links and having discussed
homelessness, can you add anything to your
word connotations?
The Speaker
TASK: How does the speaker feel? What is the
viewpoint he is trying to get the audience to
see?
Highlight evidence on your poem to support
your ideas.
Free Annotation
TASK: Go through your copy of the poem and
make notes about any interesting words,
phrases, imagery or ideas used by the speaker.
What do they suggest about him?
Building analysis
Grade E/F: The writer uses emotive language like ‘locks and chains’.
Grade D: The writer uses emotive language like ‘locks and chains’ to show
how the speaker feels trapped and lonely.
Grade C/B: The writer uses emotive language like ‘locks and chains’ to show
how the speaker feels trapped and lonely. ‘Chains’ are hard to break without
a lot of force, and ‘locks’ require keys, demonstrating how escaping is
extremely difficult.
Grade A/A*: The writer uses emotive language like ‘locks and chains’ to show
how the speaker feels trapped and lonely. ‘Chains’ are hard to break without
a lot of force, and ‘locks’ require keys, demonstrating how escaping is
extremely difficult. These ‘locks and chains’ are not physical; rather, they
represent the boundaries the speaker is faced with within society.
Furthermore, they could represent the speaker’s mental state, where they
have become unable to get themselves out of their situation; they feel like
there is no escape, and it therefore becomes less likely that they will do so.
Plenary
TASK: Explain how Armitage creates the voice of
the homeless person in ‘Give’.
WILF:
• Detailed explanation of voice
• Precise evidence selected in support
• Analysis of how words selected create voice –
connotations, double meanings, intonation, etc.