The Planners: Boey Kim Cheng

This 24-slide lesson explores Boey Kim Cheng’s poem, ‘The Planners’.

The lesson introduces the life and work of Boey Kim Cheng before interrogating the philosophical relationship between construction and destruction. We consider the purpose of history and discuss the concept of cultural amnesia. Students are taught about the growth of Singapore since its independence from the British Empire.

Students then read the poem and delve into its language and imagery. Analysis of extended metaphor leads to exploration of form, structure, and rhyme. We think about the tone and key themes of the poem, and Boey Kim Cheng’s message in view of ever-expanding urban environments and global industrialisation. Students are given ambitious vocabulary to help them to produce sophisticated and precise analysis of the poem.

Questions and discussion points are included throughout for students. An exam-style question is also featured at the end of the lesson.

PowerPoint saved as PDF.