Mother, Any Distance - teaching resource

Mother, Any Distance

(26-slide PowerPoint and 5 worksheets)

This two-lesson mini unit enables GCSE students to explore Simon Armitage’s ‘Mother, Any Distance’ in detail. 

The first lesson covers the context of the poem and introduces the sonnet form. After a differentiated ‘Do Now’ activity, students undertake tasks in response to information about Armitage’s ‘Book of Matches’. Following this, they are introduced to the Italian and English sonnet and the concept of iambic pentameter. The lesson concludes with a brief ‘true or false’ activity as a learning review. 

In the second lesson, students apply what they have learnt to an exploration of Armitage’s poem. After a similarly differentiated 'Do Now' activity, students undertake a double-sided worksheet and respond to a range of questions that cover content, structure and form and finally, language and imagery. At the end of the lesson, students summarise what the poem is about in no more than 20, 15 or 10 words.  

Suggested answers are provided for all tasks. 

To preview Mother, Any Distance in detail click 'View All Slides' then click on the images to enlarge. 

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