When you are old - W.B Yeats

This lesson focuses on the poem “When You Are Old” and incorporates a series of structured activities aimed at enhancing students’ reading comprehension, analytical skills, and vocabulary. Inspired by @PepsMccrea and @FunkyPedagogy, the lesson is designed to engage students through a combination of independent and collaborative tasks.

Lesson Description:

Pre-Reading Activity:

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and set the stage for the poem.
Task: Students independently read a redacted version of the poem and answer pre-reading questions to make predictions and set expectations.
Instructions: Students are given 8 minutes to complete this task in silence.

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction:
Objective: Introduce and explain key vocabulary words that will appear in the poem.
Task: Teach vocabulary such as “pilgrim,” “devotee,” and “worshiper,” using definitions and example sentences.
Instructions: Students use the new vocabulary in sentences related to the poem’s themes.

First Reading and Comprehension:
Objective: Ensure students understand the poem and its basic elements.
Task: Students read the poem “When You Are Old” and answer comprehension questions.
Instructions: Students write their responses to questions about the title, techniques, themes, and specific quotes in their books, working independently in silence for 10 minutes.

Class Discussion:
Objective: Facilitate deeper understanding through discussion.
Task: Discuss the comprehension questions as a class, encouraging students to share and compare their answers.
Instructions: Students refine their answers based on the discussion, adding more detail to their written responses.

Exam Preparation:
Objective: Prepare students for an exam-style question.
Task: Analyse how aging affects identity in the poem, using specific quotes and detailed analysis.
Instructions: Students have 50 minutes to write an exam-style response, focusing on language and structural devices, and using the provided success criteria to guide their work.

Feedback and Refinement:
Objective: Improve analytical skills through feedback.
Task: Discuss three additional quotes from the poem as a class, allowing students to enhance their analyses.
Instructions: Students add detail to their work based on the class discussion and teacher feedback.