1A1 English

Tuesday, September 30th, 2014

First Day at SchoolBy Roger McGough

A millionbillionwillion miles from homeWaiting for the bell to go. ( To go where?)Why are they all so big, other children?So noisy? So much at home theyMust have been born in uniformLived all their lives in playgroundsSpent the years inventing gamesThat don’t let me in. GamesThat are rough, that swallow you up.

And the railings.All around, the railings.Are they to keep out wolves and monsters?Things that carry off and eat children?Things you don’t take sweets from?Perhaps they’re to stop us getting outRunning away from the lessins. Lessin.What does a lessin look like?Sounds small and slimy.They keep them in the glassrooms.Whole rooms made of glass. Imagine.

I wish I could remember my nameMummy said it would come in useful.Like wellies. When there’s puddles.Yellowwellies. I wish she was here.I think my name is sewn on somewherePerhaps the teacher will read it for me.Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.

Let’s talk about the poem!

Stanza 11. How old is the speaker of the poem?2. The speaker of the poem refers to other

children playing. Does he/she feel included?3. How are these games described? Are they

the kinds of games you would like to join?

Let’s talk about the poem!

Stanza 21. The speaker of the poem refers to railings.

What does he/she imagine that these are for?2. Do you think the speaker understands what a

lesson is?3. Does the word “lessin” appeal to the speakers

senses? (Touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight.)

Let’s talk about the poem!

Stanza 31. The young pupil cannot remember his/her

name. Can you explain why?2. The speaker associates teachers with making

tea. Why?3. Did you enjoy the poem? Is it a convincing

account of a child’s first day at school?