Performing ‘Cosmic Disco’ by Grace Nichols | English

Starter quiz

Match the word to its definition.
- atmosphere
  
  ⇔
  
  the mood created in a section or whole of a text ✓
- personification
  
  ⇔
  
  describing a non-living thing as if it is a person ✓
- alliteration
  
  ⇔
  
  the repetition of the same sound found at the start of words ✓
Which sentence contains alliteration?
- The circular Sun is a sizzling sphere. ✓
- The Moon gazes serenely.
- The Sun looks on warmly.
Which sentence shows personification?
- The universe is infinite.
- The universe is a grand celestial symphony.
- The universe hides its secrets so that nobody can find them. ✓
What poetic device is used in this sentence? The universe is a grand symphony.
- alliteration
- metaphor ✓
- personification
- simile
What is body language?
- the language spoken by people in the UK
- the way people communicate through movements and gestures, without words ✓
- words that have the root word 'body'
Match the words to their definitions.
- glad-rags
  
  ⇔
  
  informal term for fancy or stylish clothing ✓
- luminous
  
  ⇔
  
  giving off light; bright or glowing ✓
- rotating
  
  ⇔
  
  turning or spinning around an axis ✓
- constellations
  
  ⇔
  
  groups of stars forming patterns in the night sky ✓
- inter-galactic
  
  ⇔
  
  occurring between galaxies ✓
- waltzing
  
  ⇔
  
  dancing in a smooth, gliding, and rotating fashion ✓

Exit quiz

What is free verse?
- a poem with five verses
- a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure ✓
- a poem with only one verse
What does 'pace' mean in poetry?
- the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed ✓
- the mood created in a section or whole of a text
- a movement that helps express an idea or meaning
What is a gesture?
- facial expressions
- a movement that helps express an idea or meaning ✓
- a type of exercise
Which phrases describe the atmosphere of the poem 'Cosmic Disco'?
- positive and energetic ✓
- scary and menacing
- awe-inspiring and amazing ✓
- dull and lifeless
What could help to improve your performance of a poem?
- speaking clearly and with appropriate volume ✓
- speaking as fast as you can
- speaking into your hand
- speaking with the right pace and timing ✓
What could help to improve your performance of a poem?
- standing behind a door
- using facial expressions ✓
- using gestures ✓
- looking at the ground

Worksheet

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

Lesson Details

Key learning points

‘Cosmic Disco’ is a free verse poem without a strict line length or rhyming structure.
Understanding a poem, its language and the impression it creates will help us to create an impactful performance.
We can improve our performances of poetry through practice.
The rhythm and flow, our use of voice, gestures and movement & showing expression and emotion all help our performance.

Common misconception

Pupils may think a person can be 'good' or 'bad' at performing.

Explain that successful performances need practice, like any skill. By identifying the elements that contribute to a successful performance, we can then practise them. You could show videos of real poets performing their own poetry.

Keywords

Free verse - a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure
Atmosphere - the mood created in a section or whole of a text
Pace - the speed or rhythm at which a poem is read or performed
Gesture - a movement that helps express an idea or meaning