• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Theme). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Nadia wanted to win the art prize so badly that she copied another girl's idea. She won, but every time she looked at the trophy, she felt sick inside. What is the theme? (Art is difficult. / Winning dishonestly does not bring real happiness. / Trophies are shiny. / Always enter competitions.) → Winning dishonestly does not bring real happiness.Prompt: What big idea about life does the text explore?
2. The new boy didn't speak English yet. At first, Sam ignored him. Then they discovered they both loved football, and soon they didn't need many words at all. What is the theme? (Learning English is easy. / Football is the best sport. / Friendship can grow across differences. / New pupils should stay quiet.) → Friendship can grow across differences.Prompt: What big idea about life does the text explore?
3. The king had gold, jewels and a hundred rooms, yet he was lonely. The poor shepherd had only a hut, but his family filled it with laughter. What is the theme? (Love matters more than wealth. / Kings are cruel. / Huts are small. / Shepherds are poor.) → Love matters more than wealth.Prompt: What big idea about life does the text explore?

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Poetry forms: sonnet, haiku, limerick, ballad, free verse…. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which poetry term matches this description? A funny five-line poem with the rhyme scheme AABBA.
• Step 1: Poetic forms are defined by length, rhyme, rhythm and purpose.
• Step 2: limerick: A funny five-line poem with the rhyme scheme AABBA.
• Step 3: So the answer is: limerick
• Answer: limerick
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which poetry term matches this description? A 14-line poem, usually in iambic pentameter, with a set rhyme scheme. (free verse / ode / couplet / sonnet) → sonnetPrompt: Think about the number of lines, the rhyme pattern, and the purpose (to praise, to mourn, to tell a story, to amuse).
2. Which poetic form is this? (/ shows a new line) A cyclist who lived in Dundee / Rode into the side of a tree. / She said with a frown, / "I was looking down!" / And went home for a nice cup of tea. (ballad / limerick / free verse / couplet) → limerickPrompt: Count the lines and check whether they rhyme.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which poetry term matches this description? A poem of mourning for someone who has died. (ode / elegy / haiku / ballad) → elegyPrompt: Think about the number of lines, the rhyme pattern, and the purpose (to praise, to mourn, to tell a story, to amuse).
2. Which poetic form is this? (/ shows a new line) Cold rain on the roof / a cat curls on the warm stove / the kettle whispers (ode / free verse / sonnet / haiku) → haikuPrompt: Count the lines and check whether they rhyme.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.