In Language class we read the poem “Orange Juice” by Michael Rosen, now we are doing an assignment to find out more about him and his life.
1. What was important about the church burning down next to Michael’s house?
The main thing about the burning of the church was that his mother never told him if the church burning down was he fault somehow. But all through his childhood the remains of the burnt out church were a place he could play in.
2. Were Michael’s memories of primary good ones or not?
He went to two schools while in primary, one was called Pinner Wood and the other one was called West Lodge, but both of them were a bit stuffy side, meaning it was so crowded that in classes he couldn’t even breath. West Lodge was a brand new school so he was one of the first kids to go there, that was exciting for him.
3. Why do you think Michael wrote so many books about his younger school days?
Because there are many things that you do, mischievous things, which you end up remembering forever, and they are hilarious, so thats why he wrote about it, because they are fun stuff that we all go through when we are young.
- Find out what important event for Michael happened in 1974
His first book for children was called Mind Your Own Business and it came out in 1974. Quentin Blake did wonderful line drawings for it.
- Here’s a very short poem. What is its title?
In days for yore verses for children were ever so pretty. But nowadays they are horrid and ugly and set in the city.
The name of the poem is “Couplet”.
(What do you think the word “yore” means? Do you agree with the sentiment of the poem?)
I think the word “yore” means past, or something that was young and now is old. I do partially agree wih what the poem says, and that now a days children spend more time to themselves, wich makes them horrible to be around with and are focused on technology and everything that has to do with it.
- Click on one of the “In the Media” pieces and report back to the rest of the class what it was about.
This is a video of MIchael Rosen telling one of his poems, this one is calld “Boogy Woogy Buggy” and it`s about a child with a boogy, he drives at very high speed aroung his neighbourhood and no one can stop it, he rules the neighbourhood.