Sign In
Sign In
Register for Free
PrimarySecondaryEnglish

Hollie McNish & Alfred Lord Tennyson – Connect Historical Poems with Contemporary Spoken Word

Key Stage

KS2, KS3, KS4

Age

Years 3-11

Subjects

This resource looks at the work of two poets, Hollie McNish and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It is designed to support the filmed performances available at poetrysociety.org.uk/education/page-fright.

Before you try the activities here, watch the films and explore the information provided alongside them.

By exploring the Page Fright webpages you will see how contemporary spoken word artists continue to be inspired by historical writers and how the same themes can prompt very different responses and very different poems.

Hollie McNish is a spoken word artist and former UK slam champion who has released a number of poetry books and spoken word albums. Alfred, Lord Tennyson was writing through the middle of the nineteenth century. He was appointed as Poet Laureate in 1850, succeeding William Wordsworth.

Both poems explored here focus on current affairs, and were written in response to events unfolding in the media at the time.

These exercises will help you explore poetic techniques and will guide you through writing your own poems inspired by the themes, form and style of McNish and Tennyson.


The Poetry Society is one of Britain’s most dynamic arts organisations, representing British poetry both nationally and internationally. Download more of its resources here or on its website at resources.poetrysociety.org.uk.

DOWNLOAD A FREE RESOURCE!
Hollie McNish & Alfred Lord Tennyson – Connect Historical Poems with Contemporary Spoken Word
PrimarySecondaryEnglish

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?

By signing up you agree to our Terms & Conditions and privacy policy

Explore teaching packs

Pie Corbett Ultimate KS2 Fiction Collection
Pie Corbett Ultimate KS2 Fiction Collection
Fire up KS2 pupils' imagination with this collection of 20+ fictional stories, written by literacy expert Pie Corbett. Each ... more
20 x resources
Pie Corbett KS2 Non-Fiction Collection
Use Pie Corbett’s non-fiction texts to inspire your KS2 pupils to get writing. Each resource contains an original text in ... more
6 x resources
Pie Corbett KS2 Poetry Collection
Inspire KS2 pupils to be creative and express themselves with this pack of Pie Corbett poetry. Each of these Pie Corbett Tal... more
7 x resources
WAGOLL classroom resources
WAGOLL Packs from Real Authors
Peer inside the mind of award-winning children's authors and help pupils understand how to create engaging characters, capti... more
7 x resources
Art KS2 inspiring medium term plans
Art KS2 Inspiring Medium Term Plans
Get pupils' creative juices flowing with these expert medium-term art plans for KS2. Each resource consists of a full half-t... more
6 x resources
Magical Harry Potter Teaching Ideas
Magical Harry Potter Teaching Ideas
Spark pupils' imaginations with these inventive and exciting teaching ideas, all themed around the wonderful world of Harry ... more
11 x resources