Reading and responding to 'The Invaders' and 'Kingfisher' by John Foster | English

Starter quiz

What is the most appropriate definition of a simile?
- the similarity of sounds between the ending syllables of words
- a way of comparing two things using 'like' or 'as', highlighting similarities ✓
- a single line or a group of lines within a poem
What is the most appropriate definition of a metaphor?
- the repeated use of sounds, words, phrases or structural elements
- the feeling or mood created in a section or whole of a text
- a way of describing and comparing something by saying that it is something else ✓
Which of the following poetry lines use personification?
- The rain fell steadily from the grey clouds.
- The stars danced in the night sky. ✓
- The flowers nodded their heads in agreement. ✓
- The river flowed gently downstream.
- Time crept slowly forward, dragging its feet. ✓
What is a poet responsible for when creating a poem?
- crafting the words that make up a poem ✓
- introducing and inviting different speakers to the debate
- creating the pictures, drawings, or images that connect to the poem
What is an illustrator responsible for when creating a poem?
- timing each speech
- creating the pictures, drawings, or images that connect to the poem ✓
- converting content between languages
True or false? A poem can only have one theme.
- True
- False ✓

Match the following keywords to their definitions.
- theme
  
  ⇔
  
  a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text ✓
- imagery
  
  ⇔
  
  the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience ✓
- atmosphere
  
  ⇔
  
  the mood created in a section or whole of a text ✓
True or false? All readers' impressions of a poem will be the same.
- True
- False ✓
Which of the following is true about the poet, John Foster?
- John Foster was born in 1941. ✓
- John Foster has a collection of poems titled ‘Poetry Treasures'.
- John Foster was born in the south of England.
- John Foster’s poetry contains themes of nature. ✓
Which of the following is applicable to sparrows?
- highly social ✓
- rely on humans for food and shelter ✓
- fly in an aerial display called a murmuration
- are considered an invasive species
Put the following events from the poem 'Kingfisher' into chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The kingfisher dives through the air, entering the water.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  The kingfisher turns and makes its way back to the water’s surface.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The kingfisher returns to its perch.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  A fish is in its beak.
True or false? A silver fish is the prey in the poem.
- True ✓
- False

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‘The Invaders’ and ‘Kingfisher’ are two poems based on a similar theme: birds.
Both poems are written in free verse, they do not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter.
‘The Invaders’ describes the competition between two rival species, the sparrows and starlings.
‘Kingfisher’ describes the story of a kingfisher who successfully hunts for its food.
Both poems use imagery to convey an atmosphere to the reader or listener.

Pupils may not know the birds described prior to reading the poems.

Pupils could research the three species before reading. Alternatively, the poem could act as a stimulus to prompt further reading.

Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Imagery - the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience for the reader or listener
Atmosphere - the mood created in a section or whole of a text
Impression - refers to initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a poem