Starter quiz
- What is 'oppression'?
- to defeat someone or something
- to take back something that was yours
- a person’s racial, religious or cultural background
- cruel or unfair treatment ✓
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- What does Agard present as unfair in his poem 'Checking Out Me History'?
- the fact he only learnt Caribbean history in school
- the fact he only learnt European history in school ✓
- the fact he had a balanced and rich education
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- Why did the speaker of 'The Émigrée' leave her native country?
- she had a chance of a better education elsewhere
- her country was at war and under cruel leadership ✓
- she was forced out for breaking the law
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- How do both Agard and Rumens present 'identity' in their poems 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée'?
- something to be proud of ✓
- something to be ashamed of
- something that is fixed
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- Both Agard and Rumens use __________ imagery to highlight the power of their heritage.
- light ✓
- identity
- religious
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- What is a multiple paragraph outline?
- a detailed essay plan ✓
- a mind map with quotes
- a full written essay
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Exit quiz
- How could Agard's education be considered 'oppressive'?
- it neglected to teach him about his own heritage and culture ✓
- it prioritised a diverse curriculum
- it taught him about European history
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- How do both Agard and Rumens present insitutional power in their poems 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée'?
- they both approve of institutional power
- they both show bitterness towards institutional power ✓
- they are both indifferent to institutional power
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- Both Agard and Rumens experience a __________ identity due to oppressive external factors.
- complete
- fractured ✓
- assured
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- What method do both Agard and Rumens use to present the power of identity in 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée'?
- epistrophe
- light imagery ✓
- onomatopoeia
- inclusion of dialect
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- Which word best describes the tone at the end of both 'Checking Out Me History' and ‘The Émigrée’?
- pessimistic
- fearful
- defiant ✓
- hopeful
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- What might both Agard and Rumens message be about identity through their poems 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée'?
- other people will always control your identity
- your identity will never truly be yours again after it is lost
- you can reclaim power over your identity ✓
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Both ‘The Émigrée’ and ‘Checking Out Me History’ explore big ideas of oppression, power and identity.
- Both poems criticise oppressive systems due to the detrimental effect they can have on identity.
- Both poets reconnect with their heritage: Rumens personifying her country and Agard telling stories in his dialect.
- Both poems use the motif of light to show the power of personal identity.
- Both poets ultimately reveal how one can reclaim their sense of identity.
Common misconception
Pupils may notice the theme of oppression in ‘The Émigrée’ due to the mention of war, but not notice this in 'Checking Out Me History'.
'Checking Out Me History' explores how Agard presents colonisation and its effects as oppressive.
Keywords
Oppression - cruel or unfair treatment
Triumph - to defeat someone or something
Heritage - a person’s racial, religious or cultural background
Reclaim - to take back something that was yours
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