8E- Term 3

This term we will be studying poems from around the world.

You, as the ‘Express’ class, are going to be expected to work extremely hard, especially as we will be analysing poems studied at G.C.S.E level!

You will also have a project to complete. This will be your responsibility and you will have to manage your time accordingly. There will be a due date for this project, and consequences to face if you do not hand the work in on time.

I expect my students to work to the best of their ability at all times and will not allow anybody to be disrupted or disrespected.

You have the opportunity to show your teacher what you are able to do and set an example to the rest of your year group; do not let yourselves down!

L.O: to understand what ‘culture’ means through investigating ‘British culture’.

A culture is a way of life, and a way of thinking about the world, which is characteristic of a particular group.

In modern usage, ‘culture’ refers to the whole complex of thought and behaviour characteristic of a people – everything from their basic religious beliefs and values through to changing preferences of fashion or lifestyle.

Can you think of anything else?

Attitude

Politics

Relationships

ReligionNationality

Food

Music Sense of humour

Can you think of 5 more examples?

Method:

I am (two special characteristics)

I wonder (something you are actually curious about)

I hear (an imaginary sound)

I see (an imaginary sight)

I want (an actual desire)

I am (the first line of the poem restated)

I pretend (something you pretend to do)

I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)

I worry (something that really bothers you)

I cry (something that makes you very sad)

I am (the first line of the poem repeated)

I understand (something you know is true)

I say (something you believe in)

I dream (something you actually dream about)

I try (something you make an effort to do)

I hope (something you actually hope for)

Imagine that you have a cousin coming to visit you from America. He or she has never been to England before, and you have to explain what differences there are, so that he or she doesn’t get confused when they arrive.

You should also talk a little bit about what British culture is. You might include any of these:

•Famous places to visit,•Famous British people,•Types of food British people eat,•Hobbies and interests of British people•What the weather is like.•Differences between British English and American English•Any other information you can think of.

Your work should take the style of a letter, written to ‘Inform, Explain and Describe.’ You are writing to your cousin, so it can be quite informal.

Remember, you must write in paragraphs and full sentences. Aim for 8 paragraphs.

Task

This term, you will have to work independently on a project that will be submitted at the end of the term.

The due date for this project is Friday 5th February 2010.

You will be (metaphorically) travelling around the world, gathering information about the cultures and traditions of various countries from each of the six continents.

The first thing you will need to do is plan your trip...

Start in Britain and plot your journey around the world. You need to visit one country in each of the six continents...

South America

North America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Oceania

Cultures and traditions

Landscape and places of interest

Language

Religion

Poets and poetry

We will be working with Mrs Roche, using VoiceThread

We will be asking students from all over the world to add comments and ideas to poems that interest us.

You will be able to add your own comments to our very own VoiceThread.

In class, we will choose poems from different cultures and traditions for other school’s to comment on.

To start with, read the poem on the next slide, written by a poet who is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica, and add your comments...

Open up yu Bank Account an spendOpen up yu wallet an chech a fren,Open up de dance floor mek I danceOpen up yu body an luv romanceIf yu have not opened up, yu hav not triedSee de other side an open wideOpen up de border free up de landOpen up de books in de VaticanOpen up yu self to any possibilityOpen up yu heart an yu mentality,Open any door dat yu confrontLet me put it straight, sincere and bluntNarrow mindedness mus run an hideFe a shot of overstandingOpen Wide.

Open up yu mind mek some riddim cum inOpen up yu brain do some reasoningOpen up yu thoughts so we can connectOpen up fe knowledge an intellect,Open up de speaker mek we blast de soundOpen up de sky mek de Bass cum downOpen up yu eyes mek we look insideIf yu need fe overstand dis open wide.Open up yu house mek de Refugee cum inYu may overstand an start helpingOpen yu imagination, gu fe a rideIf yu want fe overstand dis open wideOpen up yu fiss an welcum a kissGetta loada dis open up business

Overstandingby Benjamin Zephaniah