Conflict Poetry – Year 8/9

Conflict Poetry (KS3)

(5 lesson unit of work, 135-slide editable PowerPoint, 39 worksheets)

This upper KS3 (Year 8/9) unit of work explores war poetry from World War One to the modern day. Ideal for Year 9 or the final term of Year 8, the unit’s chief focus is on the poetry of World War One, and in particular that of Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke and Siegfried Sassoon.

The unit is designed to help learners develop the key poetry analysis skills that are essential for GCSE success. It explores context, language, techniques, rhyme, rhythm, tone, theme and the author’s viewpoint through the close study of war poems such as The Soldier, Suicide in the Trenches and Dulce et Decorum Est.

The final section of the unit brings the study of war poetry up to date with a focus on 21st Century war poems written by children, soldiers and the partners of those impacted by war.