KS2 & KS3 Lesson Plan: Exploring Siegfried Sassoon’s Narrative Poem ‘The Hero’

This engaging lesson plan for upper KS2 and lower KS3 students focuses on Siegfried Sassoon’s narrative poem, ‘The Hero’. Known for its angry, ironic tone, the poem uses the fear of a young soldier to highlight the futility and realities of war.

In this lesson, students will:

• Analyze the rhythm and structure of the poem

• Explore the concept of heroism and what it truly means to be a hero

• Examine the language, characters, and narrative of the poem

• Understand the poem’s use of strong contrasts and irony

Students will actively engage in drama-based activities including speaking aloud, mime, tableau, thought-tracking, improvisation, and freeze frames, culminating in a mini performance of the poem. This makes the session both interactive and inspirational, encouraging confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.

The lesson is designed to be completed in 75 minutes, with the final performance ideal for topic days, assemblies, or classroom presentations for parents' evening. Perfect for teachers looking to combine English poetry analysis with drama activities, this session brings Siegfried Sassoon’s powerful anti-war message vividly to life.