1. Good
morning

2. Pads, pens, journals – take them out
24th Sept

3. Heading
Unseen Poetry 2

4. Last time, in English Class.
We examined ‘A Room in the Past’.
We explored what one should look for when faced with a unseen poem.
We confirmed that you, the students, are not mindless robots and that you have opinions.
You had homework – to answer the questions on the handout.
And some of you gave me Q.cards with questions you’d like answered.

5. Last weeks Q. Cards Q. How many points do you need to be a teacher?
Answer – Roughly 320 – 380 to enter an arts course.
Points vary depending on the collage or the specific courses you choose.
Type CAO points and your interest into Google to find out more.

6. Q. Card 2 I don’t like poetry.
Answer – We’ll have to change that now, won’t we.

7. What’s happening today.
We’re going to read another Unseen L.C. poem.
Choose one line you find interesting and explain why.
We’re going introduce the B.F.G. method (Brainstorming for greatness).
You’re going to answer the questions after we analyse poem one.
When we’re finished then, you’re going to use the same method to analyse poem two, by yourself (with some help).

8. Nettles By Vernon Scannell
My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin, And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.
By Vernon Scannell

9. A line you found interesting?
What are the images? What could they mean?
Does it make you think of something else? (association or link)
Does it make you feel something?
Is there a purpose to the poem – ‘Am I meant to think or feel this way?’
You can also comment on the structure. There is a rhyming scheme here. Perhaps you like that.

10. ANSWER

11. ANSWER
Images
Meanings
Links
Feelings

12. ANSWER
Images
Meaning
Links
Feeling
Idea
Idea
Idea
Idea

13. Idea Idea Images Feelings Answer Meanings Links

14. Before we read the poem What might help us?
What might give us hints as to what to focus on?
What should I read before the poem?

15. Question One
What impression of the nettles do you get from this poem? Give a reason for your answer.
Impression – there is more than meets the eye.

16. Question Two
What do you think the poet means by the last line of the poem?
There is something important in the last line of the poem.

17. Well done everyone
What line did you choose and why?

18. Nettles
My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

19. Nettles
My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

20. Nettles
My son aged three fell in the nettle bed. 'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears, That regiment of spite behind the shed: It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears.

21. Nettles
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

22. Nettles
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

23. Nettles
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw White blisters beaded on his tender skin. We soothed him till his pain was not so raw. At last he offered us a watery grin,

24. Nettles
And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

25. Nettles
And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

26. Nettles
And then I took my billhook, honed the blade And went outside and slashed in fury with it Till not a nettle in that fierce parade Stood upright any more. And then I lit

27. Nettles
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

28. Nettles
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

29. Nettles
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead, But in two weeks the busy sun and rain Had called up tall recruits behind the shed: My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

30. Now
Would it surprise anyone if I told you that the poet, Vernon Scannell, fought in World War Two. His father fought in World War One. He left or ‘deserted’ the army, hates war with a passion and it is a central theme in many of his works.

31. The Questions
What is the question asking now, after we have read the poem?

32. Nettles What do the Nettles represent and how?
How does the poet feel about them, how does he deal with them and does it work?
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

33. The last line My son would often feel sharp wounds again.
Many words to focus on here:
Son – what does the son represent?
Often – what does this mean?
Feel sharp wounds – what does this mean?
Again – what does this mean?

34. Now Answer
Good luck.

35. Now do this all one more time
Sentimental Moment – by Robert Herson.
Read the questions
Read the poem
Brainstorm. Think of the images that you could use in a powerpoint presentation.