KS3 Poem: First Day At School

First Day At School

A millionbillionwillion miles from home
Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?)
Why are they all so big, other children?
So noisy? So much at home they
Must have been born in uniform
Lived all their lives in playgrounds
Spent the years inventing games
That don’t let me in. Games
That are rough, that swallow you up.

And the railings.
All around, the railings.
Are they to keep out wolves and monsters?
Things that carry off and eat children?
Things you don’t take sweets from?
Perhaps they’re to stop us getting out
Running away from the lessins. Lessin.
What does a lessin look like?
Sounds small and slimy.
They keep them in the glassrooms.
Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine.

I wish I could remember my name
Mummy said it would come in useful.
Like wellies. When there’s puddles.
Yellowwellies. I wish she was here.
I think my name is sewn on somewhere
Perhaps the teacher will read it for me.
Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.

Hello, KS3! Today, we’re going to explore a fun and thoughtful poem called “First Day At School” by Roger McGough. This poem captures the feelings of a young child on their first day of school, filled with excitement, fear, and curiosity. Let’s break it down together and understand what the poet is trying to convey.

Understanding the Poem

Overview

The poet uses playful language and imaginative ideas to express the experience of being a new student. The child feels very far from home, surrounded by older and more confident children. Here are some key points to think about:

• Imagery: The phrase “a millionbillionwillion miles from home” shows how distant and alone the child feels.
• Questions: Many lines include questions (e.g., “To go where?”) that reflect the child’s confusion and wonder about school.
• Playground Games: The child observes other kids playing games that seem exclusive and intimidating.
• Fear and Safety: The poem hints at fears of “wolves and monsters,” which can represent the unknown fears children have when starting school.
• Learning: The child is curious about what a “lessin” (lesson) is and imagines “glassrooms,” which suggests a sense of wonder about school.

Key Themes

1. Fear of the Unknown: The child feels anxious about being in a new environment.
2. Inclusion vs. Exclusion: The other children seem to have their own established groups and games.
3. Childhood Innocence: The way the child mispronounces “teacher” as “tea-cher” highlights innocence and humour.

Language and Style

• Humour: The poem includes funny moments, like the misunderstanding of the word “teacher.”
• Childlike Perspective: The poem captures how children think and feel, making it relatable for anyone who has experienced their first day at school.

Questions for Understanding

To help you think more deeply about the poem, here are some questions to consider. We’ll have questions at different levels: easy, medium, and hard.

Easy Questions (20)

1. What does the child feel like in the beginning of the poem?
2. What is the child waiting for?
3. How does the child describe other children?
4. What does the child think playgrounds are for?
5. What does the word “lessin” mean in the poem?
6. Why does the child wish they could remember their name?
7. How does the child feel about their mother not being there?
8. What does “yellowwellies” refer to?
9. What does the child think the teacher does?
10. Why does the child think the other kids were “born in uniform”?
11. What kind of games do the other children play?
12. What does the child imagine is in the “glassrooms”?
13. How does the child describe their feelings about school?
14. What do the “wolves and monsters” represent?
15. Why does the child think the games might keep them out?
16. How does the child feel about being left out of games?
17. What does the phrase “waiting for the bell to go” suggest?
18. Why does the child feel “a millionbillionwillion miles from home”?
19. What do you think the child means by “I think my name is sewn on somewhere”?
20. What is the overall mood of the poem?

Medium Questions (20)

1. How does the poet convey the theme of fear in the poem?
2. Discuss how imagery is used in the poem. Give examples.
3. What does the child’s confusion about the word “lessin” tell us about their age?
4. How does the repetition of questions enhance the poem’s meaning?
5. In what ways does the child feel isolated?
6. Compare the child’s view of school to the reality of school. What differences can you identify?
7. How does the use of humour help to convey the child’s feelings?
8. What can we learn about childhood from this poem?
9. Why do you think the poet chose to use a child’s perspective?
10. Discuss the significance of “tea-cher” in the context of the poem.
11. How do you think the child’s feelings might change by the end of the day?
12. What does the phrase “spend the years inventing games” suggest about the other children?
13. Why are the “games” described as “rough”?
14. What role does imagination play in the poem?
15. How does the poem reflect common feelings about starting school?
16. What might “things you don’t take sweets from” refer to in a broader sense?
17. How is the concept of safety portrayed in the poem?
18. Discuss how the child’s longing for their mother adds to the overall theme.
19. What does the line about “keeping out wolves” imply about the school environment?
20. How does the poem end, and what feeling does it leave you with?

Hard Questions (20)

1. Analyze the significance of the poem’s title. What does it suggest about the theme?
2. How does Roger McGough use language to create a childlike voice in the poem?
3. Discuss how the poem portrays the transition from home to school.
4. What literary devices does McGough employ, and how do they enhance the poem?
5. Examine the idea of belonging as presented in the poem. How is it depicted?
6. How does the poet’s choice of words affect the reader’s perception of school?
7. Discuss the implications of the phrase “must have been born in uniform.”
8. In what ways does the poem reflect broader societal views on education and childhood?
9. How does the notion of ‘fear’ evolve throughout the poem?
10. What does the child’s misunderstanding of “lessin” symbolize in the context of learning?
11. Explore the theme of memory in the poem. How does it affect the child’s experience?
12. Consider the use of contrasting imagery (such as home vs. school) in the poem. What effect does it create?
13. Discuss how McGough presents the concept of games in the poem. What do they signify?
14. How does the poem’s structure contribute to its overall impact?
15. What role does nostalgia play in the poem for older readers?
16. Analyze how the child’s perspective on “glassrooms” reflects their understanding of the world.
17. Evaluate the poet’s use of humour. How does it balance the poem’s serious themes?
18. What might the “teacher” represent beyond just the figure in a classroom?
19. How does the setting influence the emotions expressed in the poem?
20. Discuss the cultural significance of the poem in understanding children’s experiences in school.

Answers and Explanations

Easy Questions – Answers

1. The child feels far from home and nervous.
2. The child is waiting for the school bell to ring.
3. The other children seem big and noisy.
4. The child thinks playgrounds are places where kids play games.
5. “Lessin” means “lesson.”
6. The child wishes to remember their name to feel more secure.
7. The child feels sad that their mother is not there.
8. “Yellowwellies” refers to yellow rubber boots.
9. The child thinks the teacher is someone who makes tea.
10. The child thinks the other kids seem very accustomed to school.
11. The other children play games that do not include the child.
12. The child imagines “glassrooms” as classrooms made of glass.
13. The child feels anxious and confused about school.
14. The “wolves and monsters” represent fears of the unknown.
15. The games may keep the child from feeling comfortable or safe.
16. The child feels lonely and excluded from the games.
17. It suggests anticipation and anxiety about what comes next.
18. The phrase shows how lost and scared the child feels.
19. It hints that the child may have their name on their clothes.
20. The mood is a mix of anxiety and curiosity.

Medium Questions – Answers

1. The poet uses imagery and questions to show the child’s fear.
2. Imagery like “a millionbillionwillion” creates a sense of vastness.
3. The confusion shows that the child is very young and new to school.
4. Questions create a sense of curiosity and uncertainty.
5. The child feels left out and overwhelmed by the other kids.
6. The child sees school as scary, while it can also be fun.
7. Humour lightens the mood and makes the poem relatable.
8. It reminds us of the innocence and confusion of childhood.
9. The child’s viewpoint makes the experience feel genuine.
10. It adds a humorous twist to the role of the teacher.
11. The child may feel more comfortable after making friends.
12. It suggests that the other children are experienced and confident.
13. The games seem rough and intimidating to the child.
14. Imagination makes the experience more vivid and real.
15. It captures the anxiety many children feel starting school.
16. It suggests caution and the need to be careful.
17. It emphasizes the anticipation of learning.
18. The longing shows a deep connection to home and comfort.
19. It suggests that school is an unfamiliar territory.
20. The ending leaves us with a sense of innocence and hope.

Hard Questions – Answers

1. The title suggests the focus on a child’s experience during a significant life event.
2. McGough uses simple and playful language to mimic a child’s thoughts.
3. The poem contrasts the safety of home with the uncertainty of school.
4. Devices like similes and metaphors enhance understanding and emotion.
5. Belonging is depicted through the child’s feelings of exclusion.
6. The choice of words creates a sense of discomfort and confusion.
7. It suggests that uniforms are a norm in school and signify belonging.
8. The poem reflects common feelings about starting school and the pressures of fitting in.
9. Fear evolves from anxiety about being alone to a deeper understanding of school.
10. Misunderstanding “lessin” symbolizes the child’s learning journey and innocence.
11. Memory plays a role in shaping how the child views their experience.
12. Contrasting imagery emphasizes the safety of home versus the challenges of school.
13. Games represent social dynamics and the challenge of making friends.
14. The structure creates a flowing narrative that mirrors the child’s thoughts.
15. Nostalgia brings back memories of innocence and childhood fears.
16. “Glassrooms” reflect transparency and vulnerability in learning environments.
17. Humour balances the serious themes of anxiety and fear.
18. The “teacher” symbolizes guidance and care in a new environment.
19. The setting influences emotions by contrasting familiarity with newness.
20. Cultural significance helps us understand the pressures children face in education.

Feel free to discuss your answers and thoughts in class, and remember that everyone’s experience of school is unique!