Teaching Poetry Archives » Slow Teaching

Jun

09

2017

Teaching ‘To Autumn’ by John Keats

by Jamie Thom

in English Teaching

“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun” John Keats ‘To Autumn’ Time to be honest: the exam “season” is as far from “mellow fruitfulness” as can be imagined for everyone involved. It certainly isn’t a “close bosom-friend” of anything related to me, let alone how the poor students feel about it. Yet as Year 11 clutch their sweaty pens for a final time...

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May

05

2017

Teaching poetry at Key Stage Three: securing skills.

by Jamie Thom

in English Teaching

“If a poem hasn’t ripped apart your soul; you haven’t experienced poetry.” ― Edgar Allan Poe I would class myself as a poetry fan. In fact, in the obscurity of this space I can drop the conventional restrained politeness. I can wax lyrically without reserve, without the inevitable eyebrow arched response and the incredulous glance. I can euphorically pronounce a passion and love for it that usually has anyone...

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