KS: Upper KS2
Year Group: Year 5
Literary Theme: Legends & Folklore
Author(s): Walter De La Mare
This is a 10-session Literary Leaf for the narrative poem, The Listeners by Walter De La Mare. Children begin by exploring and analysing the language within to define and provide context for the events of the story. The language used within the poem is archaic and therefore we have to use the context to identify and explore meanings which provides a wonderful way to look at word classes and etymology.
We chose this narrative poem for a Literary Leaf because of the huge amount of mystery surrounding the visitor and the listeners themselves, which makes for some great whole class and paired discussion.
A traveller on horseback arrives to a deserted house in a deep forest. He knocks on the door and asks if there is anybody in. The house appears to have a presence that cannot be seen. Those within hear the traveller’s voice but do not show themselves. He leaves, reminding them of his reasons for visiting and that he made a promise.
Poetry, narrative poetry, ghosts
