1. What do you think would be the biggest challenge in travelling into space? 2. What would be most exciting thing about space travel?
3. (a) What is the rhythm of this poem? Work with a partner to read through the poem and tap the beat.
(b) How does this rhythm contribute to the poem? Understand
1. What did the man who first flew beyond the sky see when he looked back? 2. What questions does the man ask planet Earth? 3. (a) What human characteristic does the poet give to planet Earth? (b) What is the name of this poetic device?
Explore
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1. In your opinion, who says the final line of the poem: ‘Because I am the mother of the human race’? Give a reason for your answer
2. Do you think dialogue within a poem is effective? Give one reason for your answer. Investigate 1. (a) Work in groups to research one of the space missions listed below.
Pioneer 10 & 11 Chandra Viking Juno
Rosetta Hubble Spitzer New Horizons
Spirit and Opportunity Voyager Apollo Dawn
Try to find out the following information about your chosen mission: when the mission took place the reason(s) for this mission who was selected to go on this mission how long the mission lasted the outcome of this mission.
(b) Work with your group to create a short presentation to be delivered to your class on the mission that you have researched.
Create
Work in pairs to continue the conversation between Earth and man. Give them each three more lines that you think could be added to this poem. Do not forget to adhere to the rhyming pattern Adrian Mitchell uses in the poem.
