Roller Skaters by Grace Nichols

Learning Objectives As we study this poem you will learn: the story of the poem More about the terms, Free Verse: Assonance: Metaphor: Oxymoron: Enjambement: Alliteration: Imagery: Pace/Tempo how to read out one stanza to the class in a group You will also complete some mini tasks and a test on the poem.

Roller Skaters Flying by on the winged-wheels of their heels Two teenage earthbirds zig-zagging down the street Rising unfeathered – in sudden air leap Defying law death and gravity as they do a wheely Landing back in the smooth swoop of youth And faces gaping gawking, impressed and unimpressed Only Mother watches – heartbeat in her mouth

Roller Skaters - Test 1: What is the ‘Story Of The Poem?’ 2: There are two metaphors in Stanza 1 below. Identify one of the and explain what it means: Flying by on the winged-wheels of their heels 3: Write down one example of an Oxymoron from the poem. 4: Write down one example of Assonance from the poem.

The Story Of The Poem Two teenagers, boys or girls or both, are roller-skating and doing tricks in a public street. Some of the people watching are impressed by their stunts, but others are not impressed. Their mother is also watching, terrified that they will hurt themselves.

The Stucture Of The Poem The poem is composed of six three line stanzas with a final single line stanza. MINI TASK 1: Count the line length for each stanza in the poem. What do you notice?

The Stucture Of The Poem The poem is composed of six three line stanzas with a final single line stanza. The line length is very short 2-6 syllable long. The exception is the final line/stanza which is 11 syllables long . However each stanza is between 11-13 syllables long which does give the poem a unity and even feel.

The Key Feature Of The Poem ….is Imagery. The poem essentially describes a single stunt performed by two roller–skaters and the effect the stunt has on their ‘audience’ and their mother. MINI TASK 2: List what you think are the main images in the poem.

The Key Feature Of The Poem ….is Imagery. The poem essentially describes a single stunt performed by the roller–skaters and the effect the stunt has on their ‘audience’ and their mother. Ex. the way the skaters are described as flying by Zig-zagging Leaping into the air and doing a ‘wheely’ Landing safely and The faces of those watching, especially their mother.

Enjambment Flying by  Defying law on the winged-wheels  of their heels Two teenage earthbirds zig-zagging down the street Rising unfeathered – in sudden air leap Defying law death and gravity as they do a wheely Landing back in the smooth swoop of youth And faces gaping gawking, impressed and unimpressed Only Mother watches – heartbeat in her mouth MINI TASK3: On your copy, put the enjambment in for the rest of the poem.

Enjambment Flying by  Defying law  on the winged-wheels  of their heels Two teenage earthbirds zig-zagging  down the street Rising  unfeathered – in sudden air leap Defying law  death and gravity as they do a wheely Landing back in the smooth swoop  of youth And faces gaping  gawking, impressed  and unimpressed Only Mother watches – heartbeat in her mouth

Other Fearues Assonance: is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close to each other Ex L14, smooth swoop. Oxymoron: two words used together which have, or seem to have, opposite meanings. Ex L4 earthbirds. Alliteration: Similar sounding beginnings to words that are close to each other. Ex L2 ~ winged-wheels & L14 ~ smooth swoop.

Other Fearues Pace: The pace of the poem is fairly fast, reflecting the speed at which the skaters ‘fly’ past. The fast pace is helped by the occasional use of assonance and rhyme/chime: Ex. ‘wheels’ & ‘heels’ ‘street’ & ‘leap’ ‘gravity’ & ‘wheely’ ‘smooth swoop’ & ‘youth’ Rhythm: All of this gives the poem a fairly strong rhythm and a tone of excitement/danger.

Other Fearues Metaphor: If an object/person is not being described literally, then the chances are they are being described metaphorically.. In the poem the skaters are described as ‘Flying by’ and as having ‘Winged wheels'. Both of these descriptions are metaphors as the skaters are not ‘flying’ nor do they have ‘wings’ on their heels. ‘Earthbirds’, ‘unfeathered’ and ‘heartbeat’ are examples of other metaphors used in the poem.

Other Fearues Metaphor: The whole poem can be viewed as one extended metaphor that explores the rebellious nature of youth and the risks young people with take when growing up as they seek thrills and excitement. It also makes reference to the most difficult thing a parent has to do – learn to let go and trust their children.

Task Write about a time, real or imagined, that you took part in a ‘dangerous’ or exciting activity that your parents would not, or did not approve of. What did you feel when you took part in this activity and how did your parents react when they found out? What did you think/feel about their reaction?