https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2152331/sadiq-khan-new-year-eve-fireworks-eu
What do you see in the picture, where is is, what is happening, what is the story about?
This picture was taken on New Year's Eve last year. You might remember the assembly we had using this picture in January.
Why is September a bit like New year for us in school?
Part of the London fireworks included a speech called, "This is what England means to me"
The author of the poem was Sonny Green, a spoken word poet from Essex. Later in the year, Sonny appeared on Britain's Got Talent and performed the poem.
The full video of new years eve fireworks is in this link. Sonny's poem is from 4:25 - 5:20
Here is a transcript of the new year's eve version of Sonny's poem:
Here's what England means to me - the real England
When it's sunny, it's too hot
When it's cold, the weather's rubbish
England to me is a cup of tea
How many sugars?
I'm sweet enough.
England to me is Caribbean barbers with a sharpish trim.
It's Christian neighbours saying Happy Hanukkah mate and Muslim mums saying Merry Christmas, love.
And you think you're seeing flags now? Wait until the World Cup's on. And then you'll know about flags, my son
Because this is what England means to me. It's about loving each other no mater what colour you are, where you're from or who your God is. Because this is England, this is the United Kingdom.
Which lines stand out to you?
What message do you think Sonny has here?
What is the author saying here about religions and nationalities in England today?
There is a longer version of the poem that Sonny performs today. It includes all the lines above but also mentions Tesco meal deals and "Sweet Caroline" on the terraces. There is a line,
"It's not 'Where are you from?', it's 'Who do you support?
What do you think Sonny is saying in that line?
Here is Sonny performing the full poem a few weeks ago.
The end of the full version is:
I remember what my nan used to say
If you 'aint got nothing nice to say,
Don't say nothing at all.
Life's too short to care what people think
Just keep smiling and getting on with it.
Cos this is England.
Whether your staple diet is mash potato or rice,
Yeah it's nice to be important,
But it's more important to be nice.
Which lines stand out to you in this section?
What do the last two lines mean to you?
What message do you think Sonny has here?
If we were to write poems influenced by Sonny's poem about our school, what would we say?
Maybe we could have a display: "Here's what our school means to me" with Sonny Green's original poem and then our poems influenced by Sonny...
Do you think we could use some of Sonny's lines if we referenced him? Which lines would you want to keep for your version?
Here is a BBC interview with Sonny where he talks about growing up and finding his voice starting with hip hop and grime and today working as a spoken word poet. Sonny says, "Anyone can do it. All you need is literally a pen and paper or notes on your phone and you can make something of yourself.
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British value is this about?
What England means to me is from Sonny Green's self published book of spoken word and poetry available on Amazon.
Do you want this assembly as a power point? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org
I usually send these out on a Sunday morning.
No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat (scheme of work for primary schools)
Register to be a No Outsiders school (get access to members page with additional resources)
Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging
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