51ºÚÁÏ

This fully-resourced lesson is designed to support Edexcel IGCSE Literature students in exploring Rudyard Kipling’s inspirational poem If—. The lesson guides students through a detailed reading and analysis of the poem, focusing on understanding tone, thematic ideas (especially maturity and resilience), and the use of poetic voice. Aimed at high-ability students or those ready to be challenged, it includes clear modelling, a structured annotation activity, and opportunities for independent and creative responses. There is easily enough material for two lessons on the poem (22 slides).

Lesson Stages:

• An overview of the Literature course and exam is provided.
• Starter: Students Mind Map everything they know about poetry - a generic activity, as this is the first poem in the teaching sequence.
• Poetic terms introduction: Key poetic terms/techniques displayed around the room and students put up definitions using sticky notes.
• Thematic engagement activity: students write down the top 5 qualities they think are important in a person - and the top 5 qualities they think are missing.
• Reading and initial impressions: a YouTube reading is embedded.
• Analysis of the title and reading of the poem. A contextualising slide is provided.
• A brief outline of Stoicism and its main proponents.
• Quotation hunt: students track down quotations related to the key qualities/values alluded to in the poem.
• Guided teacher-led analysis through annotated slides, demonstrating how students can engage with the poem.
• Detailed information on the form and structure of the poem.
• An exam style question with PETAL writing frame.