Exploring Diverse Voices: A Comprehensive Scheme of Work for Poems from Other Cultures

This resource is a meticulously organised scheme of work designed to immerse secondary school students in the rich tapestry of poetry from various cultures. It is structured into thematic folders, each containing detailed lesson plans, activities, and assessments. Here’s a breakdown of the contents:

1. Introduction
   • This offers introductory materials to set the stage for the scheme of work. It includes background information, objectives, and an overview of the cultural significance of the selected poems.
2. Limbo
   • Featuring “Limbo” by Edward Kamau Brathwaite, this section provides lesson plans and activities that explore the historical and cultural themes of the poem.
3. Night of the Scorpion
   • This delves into “Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel. It includes comprehensive lesson plans, discussion points, and activities to enhance students’ understanding of the poem’s narrative and cultural background.
4. Nothing’s Changed
   • Focused on “Nothing’s Changed” by Tatamkhulu Afrika, this section includes lesson plans and resources to discuss themes of apartheid, social justice, and change.
5. Presents from My Aunts
   • Featuring “Presents from My Aunts in Pakistan” by Moniza Alvi, this folder offers materials to explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the immigrant experience.
6. Two Scavengers
   • This section focuses on “Two Scavengers in a Truck, Two Beautiful People in a Mercedes” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. It includes lesson plans and activities to discuss social class and disparity.
7. Unrelated Incidents
   • Including Tom Leonard’s “Unrelated Incidents,” this folder provides resources to examine dialect, language, and identity within cultural contexts.
8. Assessment (Blessing)
   • Focused on the poem “Blessing” by Imtiaz Dharker, this includes assessment materials to evaluate students’ understanding and appreciation of the poem’s cultural context and themes.