-NiE ,
INTERMEDIATE Poem
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
A toxic environment
Poisoned Talk
THE different voices heard in this poem bring the message of the slow but sure destruction of the environment. Each party admits their role in this destruction but they are ultimately agents of pollution caused by industrialisation pointing towards man’s greed. Some of these agents themselves like the “worm” and the “fish” are also, in fact, victims of the effects of industrial pollutants like acid soil and mercury.
Who killed cock robin? I, said the worm, I did him great harm. He died on the branch of a withered tree From the acid soil that poisoned me.
In groups of four, rewrite two stanzas of the poem on a sheet of A4 paper. Do so by replacing the word “killed” with “saved” and the other missing words with words of your own. Use at least five words from The Star to complete the stanzas and illustrate your poem with pictures from The Star. When you have finished, read them out to the rest of the class.
Who killed the heron? I, mouthed the fish, With my tainted flesh I killed tern, duck and drake, All the birds of the lake.
Creative thinking ● Imagine
Who saved the lake? I, boasted …………………………………………….. I ………………………… with ……………………....., ………………………… and ……………..…………… To ……………………...………………........................
● Invent
Problem solving ● Present
● Recreate
Who saved the flowers? I ………………………… the …………………………, I ………………………………....................................., ……………………………........................................... Over …………….., ……….…….. and ………….....
Communicating ● Oral
11 OCTOBER 2017
EXAMPLE
● Written
Collaborating
Who killed the lake? I, boasted Industry, I poisoned with mercury Fish, plant and weed To pamper men’s greed. Who killed the flowers? I, moaned the wind, I prowl unconfined, Blowing acid rain Over field, flood and fen. Who killed the forest? I ensured that it died, Said sulphur dioxide. And all life within it, From earthworm to linnet.
● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully
Raymond Wilson
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Organise
Problem solving
Creative thinking ● Brainstorm ● Connect
● Question
● Recreate
Communicating ● Written
● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen
● Contribute respectfully
Alliteration is a literary device used by writers where words begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. A repetition of similar sounds in the sentence is thus created. In this poem, we find alliteration in the line “field, flood and fen”. In groups of four, create three more examples of alliteration with three words that can be used in any line of the poem. At least one word in each example must be from The Star. Use a sheet of A4 paper for this activity.
NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Problem solving
Creative thinking ● Imagine
● Invent
● Question
● Recreate
Communicating ● Written
● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen
Among those elements of nature that were “killed” in the poem include the lake, forest, flowers, heron and cock robin. What do you think each of them would have said before they “died”? In groups of four, choose three of the elements from nature that were “killed”. Create “famous last words” for each of them. Your sentences should be between seven and 20 words in length. Each sentence must include at least three words from The Star. When you have completed the task, take turns to role-play your “famous last words” in class.
EXAMPLE Famous last words!
● Contribute respectfully
EXAMPLE
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