Please share your poems with us here.
This week you were studying Geography Lesson by Brian Patten. Please share your thoughts with us here.
If you’ve created a piece of poetry or some writing inspired by poetry, please share them with us here too.
Remember to take time to read poems by other students too and leave an encouraging comment.
I really like the poem “Geography Teacher”. I have mix emotions about it. I think the teacher dies so the boy go and follow the teachers dream. Also I think the little boy was the poet and he was talking about his geography teacher.
I also think that the teacher dies in this poem ,but I didn’t realise the pupil wrote this poem until I got to the end.
Maybe the teacher doesn’t die. I think he is out looking for that island he wanted to find and kept talking about in his geography lesson.
That’s an interesting possibility.
This poem made me sad as the teacher died and was forgotten about.
HI Maryam,
Thank you for your thoughtful response.
How do you know the boy was the poet?
i think the same , and i really love the geography teacher.
i like the way you feel about the poem its how i feel about it to
I don’t think the teacher died. I think he went out looking for it and he’s still there
That’s an interesting idea. Is there anything in the poem that supports your point?
My favourite poem is Bishop Hatto because what he done was really mean and in the end he got what he deserved for burning all the poor people!
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/god-s-judgment-on-a-wicked-bishop/
my favourite poem is our teacher told us one day and it is by Charles Darwin this is half of the 4thnd 5h bit of the poem
Then half way through his final term
he took ill and never returned
and he never got to the place on the map
where the green leaves of the orange trees burned.
The maps were pulled down from the classroom wall,
his name was forgotten it faded away
but a lesson he never knew he taught
is with me to this day.
HI Georgia,
Thank you for sharing the poem with us. I’ve never read it before. It’s certainly gruesome and fascinating.
I like Michael rosen chocolate cake.I like it because its funny and interesting
I know this poem really made me laugh.I like a lot of Micheal Rosens poems.
I have heard this poem before too and it is one of my favourite.It is one of your favourite too or do you just like it? It made me laugh alot too.
It is one of my favourites to.
I like Michael rosen chocolate cake.I like it because its funny and interestinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yerwwZWXtdQ
I enjoy this poem to and find it very funny. Michael Rosen is very talented.
i like the poem the warm and the cold because you can see the cold and the warm in your head this poem is by Ted Hughes .
It also has a lot is simlies in it for example
the freezing dusk is closing like a slow trap of steel
I like Michel Rosen chocolate cake too.
Why do you like Chocolate Cake?
What makes it fun?
I really like choclate cake too because i think its funny the way he makes his eyes pop in the same time as he is reading. The way he also uses different types of sentences make you feel as if your really there
My favourite poem is “To have my bestest friend again” because, it is about someone who lost their dog and found him again. My favourite animal are dogs and reading a poem of them puts me in a really good mood.
I agree too.This is one of my favourite and it made me laugh alot.
Could you share it with us?
My favourite is Mister Cat had far to go written by Richard Macwilliam . I like this poem because the child was looking out the window at his cat in the freezing cold icy snow, reminded me of myself watching my own cat Princesss.
i really like the poem by Roald Dahl the juicy rimes one
I really enjoyed the poem “Chocolate Cake” by Micheal Rosen. I also like “Geography teacher”! #funny
https://youtu.be/7BxQLITdOOc this is a video of chocolate cake by Michael Rosen!
Hi Bea,
Thank you for sharing the video with us.
Its good and awsome
THE POEM WAS GOOD
I think “Geography Teacher” is a wonderful poem because it is moving and sad but it still has a happy ending. The poem has its story to tell and lesson to teach. It’s a wonderful poem!
Hi Betty,
I’m really pleased you enjoyed it. What do you think is the lesson it is teaching us?
To: Michael Walsh
I really enjoyed listening to my teacher read out the poem yesterday. I believed in the teacher dreams it was really sad when the part of the story when it said
“he called off ill and never came back again he never got to places he dreamed of. His name was forgotten all his maps came off the walls.”
I cannot wait to read our next poem!!
Thank you
Hi Idil,
I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Must be interesting to hear a teacher read a poem about a teacher?
I hope you like The Visitor too. Tell us what you think about it
I like the Geography Teacher because it leaves me with questions. Where did the teacher go? Did he die?
What do you think Thomas? What do others think? Did the teacher die? Can we know?
I rather like the poem I will put in my box.It has amazing description and great use of repitition.
Do you have a poetry box? What a lovely idea.
My favourite poem is “chocolate cake Michael Rosen” I think it has a nice ring to it and I like the words he uses. Sometimes he would use a rhyming couplet but not all the time as he wouldn’t want his poems to turn into nursery rhymes he is a great poet I like quite a lot of his poem they are amazing.
Hi Ellie,
I really like the way you’ve clearly explained why you like the poem.
Could you explain what a rhyming couplet is?
I thought the poem was emotional and I think the boy or girl learnt a lesson about following your dreams so you can be happy in life!
Good point Tyler! Do we know if the speaker is a boy or a girl? Does it matter?
At Pakeman, we have been writing our own poetry based on ‘Geography Lesson’ by Brian Patten. We hope you enjoy them.
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would flee,
And cruise across a crystal-clear ocean,
To the most tranquil islands he had only known from maps,
And all his life he desired to be.
The house he lived in was dull and dismal,
But in his mind’s eye he imagined,
The most fragrant smell of orchid clinging to the walls,
And green leaves burning in the scorching sun on orange trees.
The palm trees swayed,
The waves rocked back and forth,
Elegant parrots soar through the sky,
And boats bob on the sapphire-blue ocean.
He spoke of the islands he craved to visit,
Where it was never drab or dreary,
I never understood why he never left,
And shook off the school’s throttlehold
By Joshua
Hi Joshua,
Super poem. I really like the changes you made to Patten’s poem but you’ve managed to create your own dream destination.
Keep up the hard work!
Michael.
Our teacher told us one day he would flee,
And explore and sail across a subtropical aqua-marine sea,
To land he had only discovered from scrolls,
And from the past years had yearned to be.
The house he lived in was dismal and bleak,
But in his adventurous ambitions he would see,
The crystal-clear ocean and the banana tree,
Swaying through the whistle of the gentle breeze,
The Mediterranean warmth covers the land,
As the golden-like sand fills the plants.
Palm trees balm from side to side ,
The exotic tropical weather breezed the plants,
Vivid birds glide through the sapphire-blue sky ,
Filled with vibrant colours and Jacuzzis-like ocean,
The peaceful atmosphere covered his ears ,
No speck of dull or dreary or drab.
He talked of the countries he craved to meet ,
Where it was never depressing or dull,
I couldn’t take in why he never cruised,
And uncover the schools aching throttlehold.
By Najma Hussein
,
HI Najma,
The addition of scrolls changes the whole poem and makes it sound like an adventure!
You should be very proud of your own version. Have you read it aloud to others?
I really like the changes you have made because it sounds so different when you add some different bits of persuasive language!
wow! That was a really good poem! You made up yourself it is amazing! very adventures and descriptive! It was like I was there!!
Our charming teacher told us one day he would flee
And travel across a tranquil turquoise sea
To countries he had only known from maps and tv
His life had desire to be.
The cramped house he lived was striking and depressing
But in his imagination he could see coconut trees swaying through the summer breeze
And sapphire crystal-clear sky.
Wave after wave slowly drifting
And the brightness pulling against my eye
And relaxing on the burning hot sand
He spoke of the lands he yearned to visit
Where it was never dull or dismal
I couldn’t get why he never left
And shook of the school’s stranglehold
BY MACIEJ
Hi Macie,
I really like the second last stanza. You create a gently rhythm with repetition. I also like the idea of brightness pulling agains the eye… It’s a striking image!
Keep up the hard work!
Geography Lesson
Our flabbergasting teacher told us one day he would flee,
And cruise across the warm, sapphire sea,
To discover lands he had only known from maps,
And his all-inclusive life he had dreamed to be.
The house he live in was ashen and soul-less,
But in his imagination he could smell is,
An Orchid flower clinging to the walls,
And the emerald-green leaves flaming on amber tree.
The towering palm trees swaying in rhythm,
The noisy seagulls gliding in the turquoise sky,
The crashing sound of the sea rolling,
And the peaceful balmy breeze.
He chatted of the countries he yearned to visit,
Where it was never, ever bleak or dismal,
I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And break off the school’s grip on him.
By Abdullahi
HI Abdullahi,
Some imaginative use of language. The “ashen” house is very effective. I’d imagine Patten would be impressed.
Keep up the hard work.
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would retire
And cruise across the shiny, blue ocean
To places he had only dreamed of
And all his life had yearned four.
The house he lived It was bent and ashen
But in mind eye he could see lovely sweet scented
Jasmine clinging to the walls
And emerald green leaves burning on light orange tree.
He always use to say a slightest breeze will make the trees
Sway and the big waves splash on the glistening gold
Beach and the sand of the beach is as cosy as a bed.
He spoke of the beautiful glorious lands
Lands longed to visit where it was never drab or cold
I wonder why he never left
And escape the schools choking strangle hold.
By Almas
Hi Alma,
Thank you for your poem. Again I really like your second last stanza and the luring rhythm you create. I think we’d all like to visit this land!
Keep up the hard work.
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would flee
And cruise across a summery ultramarine ocean
To places he had only know from maps
And all his life had craved to be.
The house he lived in was cramped an drab
But in his mind’s eye he could see
Cloying bouquet roses grabbing to the walls
And blush green leaves boiling on the pine trees.
The birds swiftly flew above the land
And apples falling from the vivid trees
But the land is very peaceful and birds singing
Leaves swaying side to side and the beautiful breeze.
He spoke of the land he yearned to visit
Where it was never dull or freezing
I couldn’t fathom why he never left
And swept off the school’s throttlehold.
By Layla
Hi Layla,
Thank you for your poem. The boiling leaves is a striking image …. I can almost see them bubbling with heat.
Thank you for experimenting with language and creating an imaginative phrase.
GEOGRAPHY LESSON
Our teacher told us one day that he would leave.
And sail across a hot turquoise ocean.
To place he really what to discover from the maps,
And all his life had to yearn to be.
The house he lived in was confined and grizzly
But in his mind’s eye he could see
Orchids clinging to the walls,
And olive leaves burning on a tranquil-orange trees.
The coconut trees quiet moving through the air
The colourful boats dancing into the sea
The peaceful birds swing through the sky
The tropical flowers standing calm in the green-grass.
He spoke about the land that really would to visit,
Where it was never drab or freezing
I couldn’t understand why he never left the school,
And shook off the school’s trapped.
By Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline,
You use repetition and a refrain (repeating a phrase) for effect in your second last stanza and it’s very powerful…. it works like a list.
Keep up the hard work.
GEOGRAPHY LESSON
Our teacher told us one day he would leave
The boring school and sail across a
Crystal – clear sea to places he had only known from
Silly old maps and all his life had craved to be.
The house he lived in was ashen and damp
But in his dreams he could see,
Aromatic lemons clinging to the golden trees
And jade – green leaves burning on a crimson branch.
He dreamed of drinking out of hairy, brown coconuts
Colourful, exotic birds soaring above him,
Parrots, flamingos he could also see exotic plants like
Honeysuckle and Venus flytraps
He spoke of all the tropical lands he wanted to visit
Where it was never dreary or bleak
And broke free from the schools tight straight jacket.
By: Molly
Hi Molly,
I like the way you appeal to the different senses… many poets do this. Look back at your poem how many of the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell do you appeal to?
Our loving tutor told us one day he would flee
And cruise across a scorching sapphire sea
To lands he had only memorised from maps
And all his life had dreamed to be
The house he lived in was cramped and bleak
But in his imagination could see
Lovely sweet-scented orchid clinging on the wall
And bright green leaves burning on the palm tree
The beautiful birds singing in harmony
The crystal-clear sky breathing fresh breeze
The vivid waves rapidly come closer
Vibrant trees sways slowly
He spoke of tropical lands he craved to visit
Where it was never frosty
I could not fathom why he never left
And shook off the schools throttlehold
By Subaita Pakeman Primary
Hi Subaita,
Some impressive use of alliteration in the poem. Can you see where you used alliteration? What does it add to your poem?
Our teacher told us one day he would quit
And cruise across a sapphire-blue ocean
To islands he had only known from maps
And all his life had wished to be.
The trap he lived in was small and gloomy
But in his imagination he could see
Vivid flowers holding on to the walls
And emerald-green leaves frying on a red-hot tree.
He chatted about the locations he longed to endlessly visit
Where it was never dark or icy or life-taking
I couldn’t guess why he never exited
And pull off his terrible straight-jacket.
Then almost through his last term
He died and left us all alone
And failed to reach the places he wished to live in
Where the colourful leaves swayed eternally.
By Kewin
Hi Kewin,
You use personification effectively in this poem. Can you see where you used it?
Keep up the hard work.
Our coach told us one day he would flee
And take a boat the sapphire- blue sea
To places he known from pirate maps
And all his life has longed to be.
The house he lived in was bleak and dismal
But in his mind’s eye he could see
Honey-scented orchids clinging to the walls
And emeralds –green leaves burning on a vibrant orange tree.
The swaying of coconut trees
The tweeting of birds that never sang
The voice of three mermaids singing
The crystal-clear waves splashing a-shore.
He dreamed of warm countries he longed to see
Where it was never rain or snow
I didn’t know why he never left
And shook off the school’s straight-jacket.
Hi Sabirah,
A wonderful last line… the school’s straight-jacket works very well.
How does your ending differ to Patten’s?
Keep up the hard work.
Our charming teacher told us one day he would flee
And cruise across a warm sapphire-blue ocean.
To islands he had only known from maps,
And all his life he had yearned to be.
The house he lived in was cramped and dusty,
But in his mind’s eye he could see,
Ruby-red roses growing in healthy bushes,
And emerald –green leaves hanging from the palm tree.
Coconut trees swaying gently through the breeze,
Crystal –clear waves bobbing 1 by 1,
The golden sand being made into sandcastles,
Cute dolphin’s jumping up and down happily.
He spoke of the lands he longed to visit,
Where it was never dull or frosty,
I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook of the schools throttlehold.
By Fariha
Hi Fariha,
Thank you for your poem. You should be very proud of it.
I wonder if you were to write it again if there would be any words you might change to improve it?
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would leave
And sail across a tropical, aqua ocean
To destinations he had only known from maps
And all his life had desired to see.
The house he lived in was dismal and dull
But in his head he could see.
Beautiful smelling flowers climbing up the walls
And the hot sun scorching the coconut trees.
Palm trees swaying in the sea breeze
And the turquoise waves rolling gently into the beach.
Colourful boat bobbed up and down by the jetty.
I couldn’t understand why he never left
And shook off the school’s throttlehold.
By Rahima Pakeman
HI Rahima,
It’s interesting the way you’ve changed the structure of the poem and made it shorter.
How does this change the mood/tone of your poem compared to Patten’s?
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would disappear
And swim into the hot scorching navy ocean
To lands he had only known from picture
And all his life he had craved to be.
The house he lived in was thin and dull
But in his mind’s eye he could spot
Big red cherry clinging to the walls
And olive green leaves flaming in the sunshine
On an orange tree
The palm tree swaying in the summer breeze
And the seagulls and parrots flying
In the aqua sky babes playing in the sea
And me playing with the sand at the sea bed
But in real life me sitting next to a dust bin
Is all I saw.
The halfway into the final term
He took ill and never returned
And he never got to the paradise on the picture
Where the grape green leaves of the bright orange trees burned.
By Bryan Pakeman
Hi Bryan,
Thank you for your poem. It’s almost as if you imagined yourself in the dream land.
Keep up the hard work.
Geography Lesson
Our teacher told us one day he would leave
And sail across a scorching turquoise ocean
To places he had known from maps
And all his life had dreamed to being.
The house he lived in was dismal and dull
But in his dreams he could see the beautiful looking orchid flower
And the emerald green leaves burning on an orange tree .
The scorching sea is as hot as the sun
And the sand is burning in the hot country
The coco nut tree was full of the delicious coconut.
And the man was laying down and he was calm and relaxed
He spoke of the lands he longed to visit
Where it was never dull or dismal
I couldn’t understand why he never left
And shook of the school‘s throttlehold
By Mucahit
HI Mucahit,
An interesting change to the original poem.. you seem to have the teacher visiting his dream land… or is he imagining it?
Could you explain more?
GEOGRAPHY LESSON
Our teacher explained to us one day he will flee
And cruse across a warm blue sea
To islands he had only known from maps
And all his life hade yearned to be
The building he lives in is cramped and dismal
But in his mind’s eye he could see
Aromatic flowers clinging on the faded walls
And jade-green leaves scorching on the palm trees
By DjiDji
Hi DjiDji,
This is an impressive start. I like the idea of scorching leaves…
I wonder if you could finish the poem? I think it would be worthwhile.
the poem really teaches you a lesson, follow your dreams
i liked this poem ,it got me thinking and had a moral.
I really enjoyed the poem. I couldn’t understand parts but I could understand most bits.
I don’t normally like poetry but this poem has a good moral but is very sad and that’s why I like it.
Hi India,
I wonder if you need to understand every word of a poem or perhaps the main message?
I think it was the wording. I understood them just not always in the text.
I really like the poem Geography Lesson By Brian Pattern I even wrote my own three stanzas here is my first two
Our teacher told us one day she would leave the school
And sail all the way to Spain
To places she had been in her dreams
Even though her back was in pain
The house she lived in was narrow and grey
But all she could afford to pay
Exotic dreams chilling on the beach
wishing to go there with her friend Fae
Thanks for reading my version of Geography Lesson
HI Ellie,
Thank you for sharing your poem with us.
It’s very different when you name the place … why do you think Patten choses not to name it in the poem?
For poetry week our class performed the poem in partners to another class. We did lots of actions , expression and lots of high volume and low volume. We even wrote out our own poems. The poem is by Brian Pattern. I have really enjoyed poetry week so far and learned a lot about what type of words could be in a poem , like Rhyming couplets , alliteration and much more .
Hi Hollie,
That sounds like fun.
Reading poetry aloud is very helpful… perhaps you could do this with all the poems?
I wrote myown 3 stanzas :
Our teacher told us one day she would leave the school
Beautifully painting the romantic Eifel tower
It would be outstanding and colourful
Fluently using her brush with her particular power
The house she lived in was narrow and grey
But in her minds eye she could see
Strolling Parisians gliding through the night
And shining lights reflecting on the River Sane Sea
She spoke of the art she longed to visit
Where she wanted her name in bold
And I couldn’t understand why she never left
Quickly shaking off our school stranglehold
HI Olivia,
How interesting to change the type of teacher to an art teacher? The maps seem to be the symbol in the Patten poem but what could be an effective symbol for an art teacher?
Our teacher told us one day he would leave the school,
And surf the Sandy beach,
While thinking about the snappy sharks,
And never go back to teach.
The house he lived in was dismal and dull,
He wanted so much more ,
Where he could eat delicious ice cream under the sparkling sun,
And pick up shells from the sea shore.
Even though he loved the sandy shore,
The dream never became old,
And I could never understand why he never left,
And shook of the schools stranglehold.
Hi both,
It’s encouraging to see you playing with rhyme… It can be tricky to use but worth trying!
I really liked the poem ‘Geography Lesson’ due to the fact it makes sad, happy and makes me laugh!
That’s interesting. Could you explain more?
I really enjoyed Geography Lesson poem because It gave me mixed emotions like sadness, happiness. Here is a poem I made. I hope you enjoy.
Our teacher told us one day she would leave the school
To explore the creative world of fashion
Searching her way around the city of London
Shocked of the beautiful fashions she belived was her passion .
If you enjoyed please comment. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing Grace.
What might the symbol for a fashion teacher be?
Our teacher told us one day that he would leave the school,
And stroll across the gold, soft sand,
And feeling happy he would gaze upon the swaying pine trees,
Grabbing a coconut in his hand.
The house he lived in was narrow and grey,
But he wished he could escape the cold,
And seek the soft, emerald lily-pads,
And walk across the beach which was soft and gold.
He spoke of the lands he longed to visit,
Where it was never drab or cold
And I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook off our stranglehold.
HI both,
Thank you for your version of the poem.
You manage to change it but keep the original tone.
Keep up the hard work.
I really enjoyed Geography Lesson poem because It gave me mixed emotions like sadness, happiness. Here is a poem I made. I hope you enjoy.
Our teacher told us one day she would leave the school
To explore the creative world of fashion
Searching her way around the city of London
Shocked of the beautiful fashions she belived was her passion .
If you enjoyed please comment. Thank you.
Will I was reading the geography lesson a poem by Brian Patterson I noticed that the boy in the poem was talking about someone who had died.
I really liked the poem geography lesson due to the fact it’s got lot’s of imagination to it.
Our teacher told us one day he would leave the school
And dive into the crystal clear sea
Where there was coconuts on a island
And where he was smiling with glee.
The house he lived was narrow and grey
But in his mind he could picture.
Exotic fruits among tall trees
And drinking a lovely mixture.
He longed to visit a wonderful land
It was like a story never to be told.
And I couldn’t understand why he never left
And shook off our schools stranglehold.
Hi Ben,
Super last stanza.. Especially the story never to be told.. That sums up the teacher’s experience although the poet tells his story in the end.
Keep up the hard work.
I like the poem Geography Lesson by Brian Pattern because it gives me mixed emotions
Miss Willis bragged one day she would abandon the school
And float away on the deep ocean
To places she had only been in her dreams
Could you explain the mixed emotions George?
Which poem are you talking about?
Our teacher told us one day that he would leave the school,
And stroll across the gold soft sand,
And feeling happy he would gaze upon the swaying pine trees,
Grabbing a coconut in his hand
The house he lived in was narrow and grey,
He wished he could escape the cold,
But he wished he could seek the soft Emerald lily-pads,
And walk across the beach which was soft and gold,
He spoke of the land he longed to visit,
Where it was never drab or cold,
And I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook off our schools stranglehold.
This is my version of ‘Geography Lesson’ by Brian Pattern
Our teacher told us day one day he would leave the school,
And travel around the wondrous world,
To places we never heard of,
And silky, white sand and the falling leaves that swirled.
Unfortunately the house he lived in was narrow and gloomy,
But to his imaginative eye,
Blue berry bushes grew,
And high up was a crystal, clear blue sky.
He spoke of luxurious islands surrounded by the warm turquoise sea, with schools of rainbows of fish,
That were colourful and bold,
And I never understood why he never left,
And shook of the schools stranglehold.
Hi Catherine,
You use contrasts effectively in your poem.
Can you spot them in your poem?
Our teacher told us one day he would leave the school
Slowly he fly’s over the crystal clear sea
And to lie on
shimmering gold sand that glisten in the sun,
Luckily he visits luxurious hotels with very small fee.
The house he lived in was icy and dark
But in his mind it’s warm and clear
Lying against a old palm tree,
Exotic birds tweeting in his ear
He dreamed of beautiful lands he wanted to visit
where it’s always hot and never cold
And I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook off our school’s stranglehold.
I really like Geography poem because it was very nice and sad it was kind of funny to I home I can read it again
From TJ
Glad you enjoyed it and read it again TJ
Here is one of my favourite first stanza
Our teacher announced one day she would quit the school
And float across the shiny turquoise sea
To land she had only knew from books
And all his life had longed to be
This is my unique version of Geography Lesson by Brian Pattern
Our teacher told us one day he would leave the school
And stroll upon a golden sand
To row across a glimmering ocean,
And to eagerly explore unknown land.
The house he lived in was narrow and grey
But twisted in his mind he could see
Heart – warming cinnamon scent in the breeze,
And bay leaves growing on a swaying tree.
He longed to visit a magical land,
Where it’s a story to be told.
And I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook off our school’s stranglehold.
I really liked the way this poem was written.
Our teacher told us one day he leave the school and sail across the warm blue sea to places he had only known from maps and all his life longed to be
The house he lived in was narrow and grey but in his minds eye he could see sweet scented jasmine clambering up. The. Walls and green leaves burning off an orange tree
He spoke of lands he longed to visit where it was never drab or cold and I couldn’t Understand why he. Never left and shook off our school stranglehold.
Hi Rebal,
Thank you for your poem. Some lovely expressions.
Do you think you might use more line breaks? if so, where?
Our teacher told us one day he would leave the school ,
And stroll across the gold soft sand,
And feeling happy, he would gaze upon the swaying pine trees,
Grabbing a coconut in his hand.
The house he lived in was narrow and grey,
He wished he could escape the cold,
And seek the soft emerald lily-pads,
And walk across the beach which was soft and gold,
He spoke of the lands he longed to visit,
Where it was never drab or cold,
I couldn’t understand why he never left,
And shook off our school’s stranglehold.
In our class all week we learn a poem called geography lesson by Brian pattern . I enjoy
the poem because it fun and funny.
I really liked Geography Teacher by Brian Patten because it was quite sad and interesting
i like the geography teacher because it makes me think to have a gigantic imagination and travel the world.
I really like the poem geography lesson but it is not my favorite poem ever.
What is Matilda?
why do you like the poem so much??
#I liked this poem cause its like the boy is remembering and is inspired by his teacher even though his teacher died and was forgotten about in the school he taught in. His maps had been taken from the walls and all his belongings taken out and all the memory that was left of him was his imagination of the lands he would visit when he was retired and old. Where it was never cold or rained and there were green leaves and orange trees with a blue sea.
Geography Lesson
I really liked the poem geography lesson because it tells the story of a child who was inspired by his teacher. I think his teacher was trying to encourage his pupils to follow their dream because he didn’t manage to follow his dream.
I think the poet was trying to tell the reader to follow their dream and that anyone can if they want to. The poem is sad and happy at the same time.
Hi Jemima,
You seem to have identified a clear message from the poet. Do you think this is based on a real teacher or something the poet imagined?
I really liked geography lesson because its sad but at the same time its quite sweet.
Our teacher told us one day he school and sail across would leave the and sail the
Crystal blue sea
To a paradise he had only seen in movies,
And so this is the place he longed to be.
The house he lived in was narrow and grey
In his mind he could see exotic animals lush burry bushes,
And emerald green leafs hanging from the trees
He spoke of lands he wanted to live
Where it was never blustery or cold
I couldn’t understand why he never left
And shook off our schools stranglehold.
i really like the poem geography lesson i think the poet has traveled to the places of the teachers dreams
Geography Lesson is really good but sad. I think it’s really good that the poet follows his dream but sad that the teacher dies
I LOVE CHOCOLATE CAKE BECUSE IT IS BY MICHEL ROSEN HES THE BEST AND THE POEM WAS FUNNY AND FANTASTICAL LIKE A UNICORN
i like the poem geography lesson becouse its sad
Gillespie the poem really teaches you a lesson follow your dreams.
ause I like the teacher poem because it teaches children to follow their dreams. It is also very emotional.
I agree its very emotional and has a great moral!
I like this poem because it has a great moral, follow your dream.
I think the teacher died in the end and he did not make it to the dream place where he has always longed to go. The lesson was to follow you dreams and heart before it is to late.
HI Zahra,
Can we know if the teacher died or not? Are there any clues in the poem?
There is a clue it said the teacher did not make it
Thanks for replying Michael Walsh,
I think that the boy is the poet because it sounds like it is from the boy’s point of view.
When I imagined it in my head, I saw the boy saying this out loud.
I think you’re right Maryam. It makes me wonder how much time has passed between when he was a pupil and when he wrote the poem. Any ideas?
I think that the boy kept a diary when he was younger and wrote about his teacher. Then about ten years later he decided to write a poem based on what was in his diary and he chose his teacher.
My favourite poem called “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll because the words are made up and it makes you thing what the meaning behind it.
I like the poem Geography Teacher because I like the way he laid it out . I think that the teacher died and the pupil followed the teachers inspiration and he learnt a lesson to always follow his dreams.
Hi Dalia,
Thank your for sharing your ideas. Could you tell us a little more about the way the poem was laid out?
In the poem Geography Teacher i think the teacher dies and his dream gets past on.
I agree with Jake the poem makes me think about my dreams and my future
I like the poem called the visitor because its quite adventurous.
My favourite poem is called “The Jabberwocky,” by Lewis Carroll because the words are made up and it makes you thing what the meaning behind it is .And how you feel, like expression.
I agree with Saeed because i also think that the poem Jaberwocky because it has a lot of made up words.
The poem The Geography Teacher Is a good poem, I don’t think the teacher dies. I think the teacher goes exploring for the place and he’s still there
I like the geography teacher because it was really inspirational i think the message was to always believe in your heart.
i like the poem the warm and the cold because you can feel the hot and cold pictured in your head and it has a lot of similies in it sutch as a freezing dusk is closing like a slow trap of steel
Grafton Primary school 15.10.15
i like the poem jabberwocky i recomend to everyone!!!!
The poem is very touching and I personally think the moral of it is to always follow your dreams because you don’t know how long you’ll be here for.
Dear Noorie,
You have inspired me. You have done a lot of great things in your life. You have always worked your hardest and I wish to be the same and work my hardest. I wish to follow your steps and be successful like you and always try and never give up. I want to have a positive personality and attitude towards my work and achieve what you did. I want to be confident and brave like you and have the confidence to speak to new people.
Zahra
This is my letter to the people I look up to.
Dear Suffragettes,
First of all thank you for standing up for women’s rights. If it wasn’t for you my mum would not be able to vote or me when I am older. You are the bravest women ive heard of. I love how you didn’t hold back how you were feeling and stood up for your own rights. I would like to inform you that if I met you in person I would ask you so many questions maybe even bore you with how many I have.
Since your brave act, men respect women and we are all equal. I wish more people had the potential you had to make a difference. I love debating and hope to use that skill to make a difference like you did. You are all amazing, and I hope to be just like you!
yours sincerely
India
Hi India,
Thank you for sharing your writing with us. You choose an interesting source of inspiration the suffragettes. There’s a new film released on the suffragettes that might interest you.
Your letter is very passionate and I’m sure the suffragettes would approve.
I thought the poem was extremely inspiring because it taught me that I shouldn’t waste my life and I should live each day as if it is my last.
Getou and Daisy
Ambler School
Hi Getou and Daisy,
Thank you for your response. I think that could be the message of Geography Lesson.
I look forward to hearing more of your ideas on the other poems.
i love the poem jabberwocky i reccomend it to all of you its a kind of gibberish poem
hey you guys my favourite poem is the……KENNINGS CATS …is goes like this
tail flicker
fur licker
tree scratcher
mouse catcher
basket sleeper
……
see it is amazing i love it
also if you want to read more search it up
I think that the visitor poem is amazing, also scary because the skeleton actually went inside the house and went in the BEDROOM!
MY opinion on the poem is that the meaning is saying do not pick up something you found on the floor ,because it might even give you bad luck!
my favorite part of the poem is when the poem said THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW THROW IT!!!!!!
hi i like the poem the jabberwocky we had to learn it we had to learn it of by heart
HERE IS SOME OF IT
twas brilig and the slithy toes didgire and gimble in the wabe
ALL MIMSY WERE THE BURROUGHGROVES AND THE MOMRATHS OUTGRABE
Hi Ayla,
thank you for sharing a poem you enjoyed with us.
I wonder if you could create a poem like Jabberwocky based on an imaginary creature?
MY opinion on the poem is that the meaning is saying do not pick up something you found on the floor ,because it might even give you bad luck!
my favorite part of the poem is when the poem said THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW THROW IT!!!!!!
I like the poem called ‘the visitors’ because it seems a bit spooky and it could give you bad nightmares.The poem teaches us not to take anything that’s not yours.
The poem will be good for bullies
HI Ihab,
Why would the poem be useful for bullies?
The poem, the visitor is really scary i don’t really like it. I recommend it to all of you because its funny but it gives you a scary chill…
we red the poem the visitor
its a bit scary it is about a skeleton that has a ring on it’s finger and it and a man takes it for his wife it was a beautiful ring so i think it is a girl because its a beautiful
i really love this poem
I liked the trouble with snowman by Roger McGough because it could be true and i like true storys
Very interesting Sude. I wonder how real it is? What do you think?
I find it quite sad that the teacher dies in the end .but this is one of my favorite all time poems because of how the teacher teaches the child the follows his dream.
An image from Ambler School
Another image from Ambler School
Final image Ambler School.
I like all the poems that you have shared with us
I’m delighted to hear you’ve enjoyed them Sarah. I’m sure it’s the conversations you’ve had that are really enjoyable.
I really like geography lesson because it shows how a teacher can have a friendship and tell them about his imagination.
http://www.sandaigprimary.co.uk/classes/primary_three-four_06-/rats/images/lauryn.gif07
I like this poem because it is really true and funny just go on the website and see poem