YEAR TWELVE LESSON THIRTY [25th June 12]: Homework.

THANKS TO ALICE FOR THIS FANTASTIC 'DECIDER'.

Students discussed the poetry of Philip Larkin and considered the themes being explored in THE BUILDING and BRIDGE FOR THE LIVING. Students were asked to consider the themes being explored by Larkin and how his use of language, structure and form shape meaning. The class were also asked to consider whether the poems that we have discussed could in anyway fuel the belief that Larkin is a racist misogynist!!

HOMEWORK: Next week we will be making a media text that explores issues relating to the study of Literature. The aim is to provide material for a resource that can be used to provide Year 11 students with an overview of the Year 12 AS Literature course.

The content of the film will expect students to consider/include:

• A consideration of the value of Literature. Why bother studying Literature? What skills are developed through literary study? What is the value of this course?What is the purpose of Literature?
• What advice would you offer Year 11? What can they expect if they select AS Literature?What is the difference between the study of Literature at GCSE and AS Level?
• Which text have you found the most interesting this year?Why?
• What is your favourite text...EVER? Why?
• Offer one word that captures the nature of AS Literature! What is your word??

Next week we will begin to film the footage. The film also needs to include some examples of visual metaphor. This will be a three hour session. BRING YOUR OPINIONS!

Click on link below to access Dave Lee's filmic

interpretation of BRIDGE FOR THE LIVING:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNUZ-s7FmYw

Dave Lee also made a film to accompany Tom Courtney's reading of Larkin's HERE. This is the poem that represents the landscape of Hull before moving east to Spurn Point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZEgh5vhPVk

YEAR TWELVE LESSON TWENTY-NINE [18th June 2012]: Homework.

Students discussed the poems printed within my 'little' anthology of poetic beauty. Students were encouraged to consider the notion of the canon and how metaphor is used to shape meaning. Reference was made to Larkin's The Mower, Wordsworth's Daffodils, Stevie Smith's Not Waving But Drowning, the work of Dorothy Parker, and Wind by Ted Hughes.

Students were encouraged to link William Wordsworth's Daffodils with Wind by Hughes. Class discussion explored how metaphor shapes meaning and how historical context could inform interpretation.

HOMEWORK: Those students who failed to provide A DECIDER need to create A Decider and hand this to me at the beginning of the next session. This can be an illustration, a collage, a painting etc. Students need to read my anthology and the articles in the official AQA anthology.

Next week we will be discussing the poems of Philip Larkin. Students need to read Bridge for the Living, The Building, Here and the poems in my anthology [Afternoons, Days, The Mower]. Feel free to read ANY of Larkin's work as this will allow us to have an INFORMED discussion in next week's lesson.

In today's lesson I encouraged students to read:

• The Love Song Of J.Alfred Prufrock by T.S.Eliot.
• The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde.
• Daddy and Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath

Click on link below to access THE POETRY ARCHIVE. READ SOME POETRY...:
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/home.do

SIMON ARMITAGE article in The Guardian: POETRY SHOULD BE SUBVERSIVE.

Click on link below to read a newspaper article from the very great Simon Armitage. This was published in the 13th June 2012 edition of The Guardian newspaper.

NOTE THE 282 READER COMMENTS!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/12/poetry-should-be-subversive?INTCMP=SRCH

JOHN STEINBECK'S NOBEL PRIZE SPEECH 1962. Give it your ears.

This is aimed at Year 12 but relates to all Literature students.

'...Man himself has become our greatest hazard..and our only hope..,'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SKEODtaQUU

First Year 12 Lesson after exams..LESSON TWENTY-EIGHT [11th June 12]: Homework.

The aim of today's session was to introduce students to the content of A2 Literature, the texts involved, the structure of the course, and some of the philosophical issues that will be discussed. Students were provided with an Anthology of poetry and class discussion explored issues relating to metaphor and the notion of 'The Canon'. Class discussion considered whether John Cooper Clarke could be considered a canonical poet and whether the lyrics of Smokey Robinson had any literary merit. Click on links below to access both texts.

John Cooper Clarke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qN9pduox0

Smokey Robinson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coh7n6dYj5Y

I expect all students to have mastered the dance moves of Smokey's Miracles before we begin the next lesson.

HOMEWORK: Read ALL the poems in the Anthology and produce an illustration of 'A DECIDER' or a group of 'DECIDERS'. Who are these creatures that rate textual value? Who are these judges? What do they look like? Your challenge is to create an image that captures the nature of THE DECIDERS....cheers Lydia!

I would also advise students to read this essay. Here, Nobel Prize winning Literature giant MARIO VARGAS LLOSA explores the value of Literature. This is a classic essay. Enjoy.

http://www.uwec.edu/pnotesbd/Llosa_article.htm