Year 8 and 9 Creative Poetry

Both Years 8 and 9 have been studying poetry in English lessons recently. Year 9 have explored ideas of identity through a variety of nature poems from Judith Wright and Ted Hughes to Edwin Muir. Hughes’ poem Pike, in particular, inspired students to create poems through a technique called Blackout Poetry.

Students found non-fiction texts about the pike fish and then selected words and phrases which characterised the animal. Any unused words were covered with ink or paint. The example here is from Daria Kurganova who portrays the fish as a violent, aggressive predator.

Students then created performances of their own poems through an application called Flipgrid. Here is a memorable performance from one of our Year 9 students Muhammad.

Year 8, on the other hand have been investigating pre-20th century poetry from the likes of William Blake and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. As well as writing an analytical essay comparing two Blake poems, students also constructed dioramas to illustrate Tennyson’s The Kraken, about a legendary sea monster.

This dramatic example, by Kristina Spanarova and Anaga Sudin (first image), was voted the best diorama in Year 8 English group 4, whilst Manqi Liang and Laura Madaras’ entry (second image) was a very close runner up.

Congratulations to all the students who wrote poems, constructed dioramas and gave dramatic interpretations of their own poetry, showing creativity, problem-solving and a willingness to take risks.  

Douglas Allan

Teacher of English