personify your hopes, wishes , concerns and dreams- "The Hide Behind" using picture and poem

This is an upper KS 2 /LOWER KS 3 activity as it requires some skills in introspection and self investigation more suited to this age group.The lesson is based around my own back story , poem and illustration called the Hide Behind.It is lesson that needs to be dealt with sensitively as students are asked to share aspects of their characters and personalities with others in discussion.At no time should anyone be pressured to share anything they do not wish, keep it light, based around common childhood concerns and collect these in a shared bank of ideas and examples.The students are to read the poem and report back on what they think the meaning/intention is and to dig out any sub text they may feel underlies the words and phrases.A look at some of the literary devices is suggested.Students create their own character which is essentially an extension of themselves made into a fantasy invisible counterpart.
Once armed with a finished character the poem creation will be a great deal easier as it acts as a concrete stimulus upon which to build their poem.The lesson plan asks that they include a repeated and adapted refrain to build up a sense of expectation and mood.This task addresses personal and social issues, art and literature and makes a great classroom display too.