Starter quiz
- True or false? Joseph Coelho studied archeology at university.
- True ✓
- False
- True or false? His poetry book 'Werewolf Club Rules' was the second book he released.
- True
- False ✓
- Coelho's poem 'Miss Flotsam' was inspired by which group of people?
- his family
- his teachers growing up ✓
- his favourite superheroes
-
- True or false? 'Miss Flotsam' is described as being very well-travelled.
- True ✓
- False
- Finish the sentence. When the speaker is being bullied by a boy, Miss Flotsam steps in and ...
- ignores the boy.
- shouts at the boy.
- glares at the boy. ✓
-
- What does Miss Flotsam do when the speaker's mother is late to collect them after school?
- sends them to the office
- tells them to wait in silence
- reads to them ✓
-
Exit quiz
- Which of these is the name of Joseph Coelho's second published book of poems?
- 'Overheard on the street'
- 'Overheard in a house'
- 'Overheard in a tower block' ✓
-
- What is the name of Joseph Coelho's poem written about the wonder and mystery of libraries?
- 'There are Books in the Library'
- 'There are Things that Lurk in the library' ✓
- 'There are Things in the Library'
-
- Joseph Coelho describes books as having which of these?
- feet
- bones ✓
- skin
-
- Fill in the blank. In the poem, Coelho says the sounds of “parables” are like the rustling of ...
- leaves ✓
- clothes
- shoes
- stones
-
- True or false? Joseph Coelho’s poems often explore the theme of imagination.
- True ✓
- False
- Fill in the blank. __________ is a way of describing a non-living thing as if it acts or feels like a human.
- alliteration
- personification ✓
- simile
-
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Joseph Coelho’s poems are easy to read and engaging, with playful rhythms and subjects that young readers can relate to.
- Joseph Coelho often writes poems with imaginative themes.
- The poem ‘Things that Lurk in the Library’ is about the magic and wonder of libraries, books and reading.
- The poet uses personification to create vivid imagery and a sense of the mystery and magic of libraries.
Common misconception
Pupils may find it difficult to find examples of personification and explain the impact of using this.
You could show the whole poem on the slides and work as a class to find different examples, before children work in pairs to find more examples at their tables.
Keywords
Personification - a way of describing a non-living thing as if it acts or feels like a human
Figurative language - the use of metaphors, similes and personification to create imaginative and symbolic meaning
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