Checking Out Me History - teaching resource

Checking Out Me History by John Agard – AQA GCSE Power and Conflict Poetry Teaching Resource

This comprehensive two-lesson unit focuses on John Agard’s poem Checking Out Me History, featured in the AQA GCSE English Literature Power and Conflict poetry anthology. Designed to deepen students’ understanding of the poem, this resource also provides structured guidance on how to compare it effectively with other anthology poems in the GCSE exam.

The teaching pack includes a 49-slide fully editable PowerPoint presentation and three accompanying worksheets with a wide range of engaging and exam-focused activities.

Lesson One:

• Context: Introduction to John Agard and the social and historical background of the poem

• First Reading: Guided reading of Checking Out Me History with comprehension and consolidation questions (answers included)

• Language & Imagery: Detailed line-by-line analysis exploring language choices and key images, with model answers provided

• Essay Writing: An extended essay question assessing initial understanding, including an example response

Lesson Two:

• Imagery: Further analysis of Agard’s use of visual and metaphorical imagery

• Themes: Exploring identity, culture, and history within the poem

• Structure & Form: Analysing how Agard uses rhythm, rhyme, and structure to convey meaning

• Exam Focus: Comparing Checking Out Me History with London by William Blake, including guidance on how to write an effective comparison essay

Fully editable and easy to adapt, this resource is ideal for classroom teaching, homework, intervention, or revision, helping students prepare confidently for the AQA GCSE English Literature exam.

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