Summary of Teaching Resources

Title of Resource  

Key Stages 

Description 

What is a manuscript 

2/3 

This and the following four resources are designed to be used together. 

Introduction to using / working with manuscripts.

Handwriting 

2/3 

This resource uses primary sources. 

Introduction to graphology – children study the handwriting in the primary sources; they then analyse their own handwriting and that of classmates in light of the information given. 

Mystery of the added slip of paper 

2/3 

Children look at an example of Wordsworth using his manuscripts as a working document – moving away from the idea of a manuscript merely as a historical object. 

Children are asked to consider the physical nature of writing and producing manuscripts 200 years ago in contrast with today. 

Drafting over existing material 

2/3 

Children replicate a process Wordsworth used in one of his manuscripts – using the spaces on a printed page to write his draft poem.  

First there is a chance to explore Wordsworth’s example using photographs of the original manuscripts. This is followed by an activity in which children make their own drafts on pages already containing poetry. They are then asked to explore if and how this affects their own work. 

As a follow-up there is the chance to explore how Wordsworth seems to have been influenced by the printed text – the poetry here is complex and more suitable for the upper end of KS3 

Home

2/3 

This section explores the idea of ‘home’.

It includes poetry, letters and journals of the Wordsworths and leads up to children producing their own work on the idea of ‘home’. As part of this section there is the opportunity, if wished, to look at primary sources (letters and journals) relating to the writing of the poem ‘Home at Grasmere’ 

‘Boat stealing’

3 / 4 

This resource is in the form of a lesson plan.  

The lesson looks at an extract of poetry Wordsworth wrote about his childhood. The idea is to explore three different ‘drafts’ of the poem, looking out for changes / improvements. The lesson ends with an exploration of the earliest manuscript. 

All materials for the lesson are included and available to print. 

‘The ravens nest’

3 

This resource is in the form of a lesson plan. 

The lesson looks at an extract of poetry Wordsworth wrote about his childhood. First the children look at a picture with the language from the poem in the landscape. The lesson then goes through the words and phrases exploring meaning, theme and feeling. 

A follow-up activity asks for creative writing based on children’s personal experiences 

‘Trapping woodcocks’

3 / 4 

This resource is in the form of a lesson plan. 

The lesson looks at an extract of poetry Wordsworth wrote about his childhood. Several group activities lead to children understanding the central themes of the extract. 

‘There was a boy'

3 / 4 

This resource is in the form of a lesson plan. 

The lesson looks at an extract of poetry Wordsworth wrote about his childhood. Children work in pairs to investigate some of the language and its effect on the poem. 

A follow-up activity asks for creative writing based on children’s personal experiences. 

An annotated version of the extract is provided as well as photographs of the original manuscript. 

‘Ice skating’

2 / 3 

This resource is in the form of a power point presentation, ideally for use with an interactive whiteboard. 

The lesson looks at an extract of poetry Wordsworth wrote about his childhood. The presentation uses words and pictures to develop a better understanding of the poem and its themes. As part of the presentation children are prompted to find and think about words and ideas. 

A follow-up activity asks for creative writing based on children’s personal experiences.