To let dd perform this for english

[redheadandgoingtobed]

wonderingminstrels.blogspot.co.uk/2000/11/deep-sorriness-atonement-song-glyn.html

She really wants to do it and it is her last english lesson this year. Teachers, what would you think. Is it too rude? She is in y7.

DD (12 at the time) recently learned If by Rudyard Kipling.

I wouldn't, but then I don't think it's a very good poem anyway.

You must prepare your bosom for his knife,
said Portia to Antonio in which
of Shakespeare's Comedies? Who killed his wife,
insane with jealousy? And which Scots witch
knew Something wicked this way comes? Who said
Is this a dagger which I see? Which Tragedy?
Whose blade was drawn which led to Tybalt's death?
To whom did dying Caesar say Et tu? And why?
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark - do you
know what this means? Explain how poetry
pursues the human like the smitten moon
above the weeping, laughing earth; how we
make prayers of it. Nothing will come of nothing:
speak again. Said by which King? You may begin

Perhaps she could do this one by Carol Ann Duffy, instead.

At 12, I read Contributory Negligence by Attilla the Stockbroker in an English class. Straight over most of the kids' heads but the teacher loved it...

Whatever poem you chose OP, I think it needs to be something she actually understands, and maybe something a bit more age appropriate.

For what it's worth I like the poem. However my dd is going up to year 7 in September with a lot of girls she was in juniors with. The majority of their mothers live in a little bubble and believe that not only do their darlings not use bad words they actually get extremely distressed when other people's dc have the audacity to use such terrible words. Unless you want a stream of indignant mummies beating a trail to the ht complaining I would find something else. How about some Dylan Thomas it's dark and foreboding

I think if she doesn't understand it, then it's a waste. Far better to recite something she comprehends. There are so many to choose from, and if she enjoys poetry that's fab. Try some Auden?

I wouldn't be happy with it in my class mainly because we have some parents who are very pfb about their little darlings. Those saying it would go over year 7 heads clearly don't spend a lot of time with 12 year olds. They are very clued up and I would also, from a parents point of view, be worried about the ignorant little tit who will pick up on the masturbation references and mock her mercilessly about it asking her how she likes to do it etc. Honestly some, generally boys, at the age are that stupid.

If your daughter would be able to read that in front of her class without being embarrassed then I'm very impressed, but I think that the reaction that both she and the teacher will get makes it a bad idea. No way that a teacher would have let us read that out in year 7. Some parents would have complained at GCSE in my school.

It could be worse. She could want to do Evidently Chickentown.

This is a good one, Auden wonderingminstrels.blogspot.co.uk/2003/12/christmas-oratio-w-h-auden.html

I think dd should choose her own poem and if the teacher doesn't like it, it's between them, surely?

I actually know this poem off by heart and think it's very funny.

I read "The Naming of Cats" for a similar performance in Year 7 but I'm guessing your dd wants something a bit grittier. How about Phillip Larkin?

A Salford accent surely Mrs Devere? He's v particular about that!

Well it's not just between her and the teacher is it? It between her, the teacher, the 25 other kids and their parents.
If she doesn't understand it then why do it? You can't perform something you don't understand.
I think maybe you should help her choose something less controversial.

Try www.poetrybyheart.org.uk

It's the website for a poetry exciting competition for secondary pupils- your dad might be intestate in entering but also it has a great searchable anthology.

I'm probably not the best for guidance in this.
In year 9 or thereabouts in modern day equivalent (I'm old) i calmly (honest) tread the Philip Larkin poem on parents f you up.
Still remember it now word for word so it had more educational value than my teacher so...

That would be entirely wasted on my year 7. Only a couple of them would get it at all other than the vague gist. So for that reason I'd say no.

How about this for shock value and crowd approval - www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lesson?

I like the poem, but isn't it a bit long if the whole class have to do one? Can't she find something a bit shorter so they all get a chance to perform?

If she really wants to do it I'd let her but not sure it's the best of choices. It doesn't sit that well within the 'poetry for performance' category to me

I run a poetry recitation competition in the school I teach in and popular choices among Year 7 have included:
Albert and the Lion
The Highwayman
Macavity
If
The King's Breakfast
The Listeners
Helen the Hippo
Charge of the Light Brigade
Lots of the Roald Dahl Revolting Rhymes and Fairy Tale poems