Inspired by: Market Scene in a Northern Town - Week 5

In a creative exploration of poetry, students are introduced to the concept of a Kenning poem. A Kenning is a descriptive device that uses compound expressions to describe an object or person in a metaphorical manner. The children are first taught that Kennings are written as a list of paired words that depict various attributes or actions. An example is provided with 'Spider – web maker', and the class is encouraged to brainstorm additional phrases that capture the essence of a spider's nature, such as 'insect catcher' and 'blood sucker'. The activity extends beyond spiders, prompting students to reflect on their own activities and the vibrant scenes depicted in a painting, from which they are asked to create Kennings for market stall holders, shoppers, and dogs, culminating in a performance of their poems.

Another activity focuses on the use of subordinating conjunctions 'when' and 'because' to construct complex sentences. The children revisit the painting, this time to weave a narrative around a dog without a lead. They are encouraged to speculate about the dog's backstory and its connection to a boy in the painting. Through discussion, they explore possible reasons for the dog's wandering, using the conjunctions to express cause and effect within their ideas. Additionally, the children engage in a practical task of designing a Lost/Found dog poster, considering essential details that would help reunite the dog with its owner. Lastly, they are tasked with writing a report for the market newsletter, detailing a fictional incident involving the dog and a butcher's stall, thus practising their ability to write down ideas and encapsulate them in coherent sentences.