Comparing two poems on similar themes, 'Richmond Park' & 'The Old Farmer's Song' | English

Starter quiz

Which of these is the most appropriate definition of a theme?
- a form of poetry that doesn't follow any set rules of rhyme or structure
- a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text ✓
- poetry that expresses personal emotions, thoughts, or experiences
True or false? All poetry has to contain rhyme.
- True
- False ✓
Who is the poet of the poem 'Eastbourne'?
- William Blake
- Liz Brownlee
- Joseph Coelho ✓
Match the following words to their definitions.
- ebbing
  
  ⇔
  
  when the tide is moving away from the shore ✓
- fossils
  
  ⇔
  
  impressions of plants or animals preserved in rock ✓
- synced
  
  ⇔
  
  happening at the same time ✓
True or false? Poetry can be set in a range of different locations.
- True ✓
- False
Match the following words to their definitions.
- rural
  
  ⇔
  
  referring to the countryside, often characterised by open spaces ✓
- urban
  
  ⇔
  
  referring to cities or towns ✓
- coastal
  
  ⇔
  
  referring to areas located near or along the coast ✓

Match these keywords to their definitions.
- theme
  
  ⇔
  
  a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text ✓
- imagery
  
  ⇔
  
  the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader ✓
- compare
  
  ⇔
  
  involves identifying similarities between two or more things ✓
- contrast
  
  ⇔
  
  involves identifying differences between two or more things ✓
Who is the poet of ‘The Old Farmer’s Song’?
- 'Matt Goodfellow' ✓
True or false? Joseph Coelho grew up near the place he describes in his poem 'Richmond Park'.
- True ✓
- False
Match the following words from both poems to their definitions.
- "veiled"
  
  ⇔
  
  to obscure or cover up ✓
- "calloused"
  
  ⇔
  
  developing thick and toughened areas on the skin ✓
- "flanks"
  
  ⇔
  
  the side areas of an animal's body between the ribs and the hip ✓
Which of the following themes are present in the poem 'The Old Farmer's Song'?
- urban life
- technology
- connection to nature ✓
- perseverance ✓
Comparing two things means finding ...
- similarities. ✓
- differences.
- both.

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‘Richmond Park’ is a free verse poem; the poem offers contrasting views of the setting it describes.
'Richmond Park' is based on a place which is near to where the poet grew up.
‘The Old Farmer’s Song’ can be described as a fixed verse poem; it has a consistent rhyme scheme.
Both poems describe the harshness and beauty of rural life.
We can compare and contrast poems with similar themes or messages, noticing the impact that they have on us as readers.

Pupils may find it challenging to visualise the two settings being described by the poets.

Additional photographs could be provided to develop understanding of the two locations.

Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Imagery - the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem
Compare - involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts
Contrast - involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts