I THINK CONTINUALLY of THOSE WHO WERE TRULY GREAT.....pptx

PPT DISCUSSION ON THE POEM, I THINK CONTINUALL OF THOSE WHO WERE TRULY GREAT

1. Title Layout I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great Remembering Greatness: Timeless Values in a VUCA World

2. Introduction to the VUCA world An artistic image showing a person looking up at a starry sky or a vivid sunset.

3. I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great by Stephen Spender   I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the heights of glory, set up a ladder to the stars; Some race of beauty, running blood through, like pure, cold silver in the fountain. Their names, which are the music of the instrument of the years, Are flashed upon the inward eye, which brings to light The splendour of a spirit, still vibrant with life.

4. The near in blood, the near in time, have heard the greatness In the voices that are quiet, in the souls which have been broken.   I think of Jacob wrestling in the still midnight with the angel; The kings who were the ensanguined lions of the earth.   The prophets who did prophesy of justice, who did foretell The day when swords wouldst be turned into ploughshares.

5. And those who thought in terms of the impersonal, great good, Of the world being made one, and all men having bread.   These too have fought against the tyrannies of the soul's deformity, And have proclaimed the greatness of being human.   Their heritage is still alive in those who dare to be great, Who shape the form of things unknown, who break the mould of the commonplace.

6. Let us remember the great, and not forget the heroes Who have lived, and loved, and suffered, and have made our lives worthwhile.   This poem explores themes of greatness, heroism, and the human spirit.

7. Welcome to the VUCA world Volatile: Change is rapid and unpredictable. Uncertain: The present is unclear, and the future is uncertain. Complex: Many interconnected factors cause confusion. Ambiguous: There is a lack of clarity about situations. How do we navigate this modern world without losing our way?

8. Structure: - The poem consists of several stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. - The lines are mostly short and concise, with a focus on lyrical language. - The poet uses enjambment (where a sentence or phrase continues into the next line without punctuation) and caesura (pauses within a line) to create a sense of flow and rhythm.

9. Contribution to overall message: - The structure helps to convey the poet's stream-of-consciousness reflection on greatness. - The short lines and enjambment create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the poet's thoughts. - The use of caesura and varied line length adds emphasis to certain words or phrases, highlighting the poet's emotions and ideas. - The stanza breaks allow the poet to explore different aspects of greatness, creating a sense of depth and complexity.

10. Overall effect: - The structure contributes to the poem's contemplative and reflective tone. - It helps to convey the poet's admiration for those who are truly great and their impact on the world. - The poem's structure invites the reader to pause, reflect, and consider the nature of greatness.

11. Stephen Spender and the poem A portrait of Stephen Spender. Briefly introduce Stephen Spender, an English poet known for exploring themes of human experience. "I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great," which pays homage to extraordinary individuals who leave a lasting, inspiring legacy.

12. Stephen Spender

13. The Birth of Inspiration The first stanza I think continually of those who were truly great." It speaks of individuals who are connected to "the soul's history" and have a "lovely ambition" to share their "Spirit. The "truly great" possess an inherent connection to the human story and a drive to share their inspiration.

14. Literary Analysis. Identifying literary devices like imagery and symbolism to understand the innate quality of greatness. Unchanging value: Inspiration. Greatness stems from a deep passion and the desire to share it.

15. Protecting the spirit from the "traffic" This stanza warns, Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother...the flowering of the spirit. The "traffic" symbolizes modern distractions that threaten the human spirit. The great ones resist this to protect their connection to purpose. Critical Thinking. Analyzing the metaphor of "traffic" and its contemporary relevance. Unchanging value: Resilience. Resilience allows the spirit to "flower" amidst the "noise and fog" of a VUCA world.

16. Leaving a Lasting Legacy Poem excerpt: The final stanza speaks of those "who in their lives fought for life" and "left the vivid air signed with their honour ". Analysis: The great ones lived with intense purpose and left a lasting, celebrated impact ("the vivid air"). English competency: Interpreting Literary Texts. Explaining how the poem uses nature to describe the lasting legacy of great individuals. Unchanging value: Integrity and Impact. Living with passion and purpose creates a permanent, meaningful legacy.

17. Activity Title: Reflecting on Timeless Values in a Changing World Objective: To analyze the poem's themes and relate them to the concept of unchanging values in a VUCA world.

18. Instructions: 1. Read and analyze the poem "I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great" by Stephen Spender. 2. Identify the values and qualities mentioned in the poem that are considered timeless and universal. 3. Reflect on how these values can be applied in today's VUCA world, where change is constant and uncertainty is prevalent. 4. Write a reflective essay or poem that explores the significance of these unchanging values in navigating the challenges of the modern world.

19. Possible Questions to Consider: 1. What are the values mentioned in the poem that you believe are essential in today's world? 2. How can these values help individuals navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the VUCA world? 3. Can you think of examples where these values have been demonstrated in history, literature, or personal experiences? 4. How can embracing these timeless values help create a more stable and meaningful life amidst change?

20. Assessment Criteria: 1.  Depth of analysis and understanding of the poem's themes 2.  Clarity and coherence of writing 3. Effectiveness in relating the poem's themes to the concept of unchanging values in a VUCA world 4.  Use of relevant examples and evidence to support arguments

21. Performance task: 1. Ask students to create a visual representation (e.g., infographic, poster, or illustration) that depicts the timeless values mentioned in the poem and their relevance in today's world. 2. Invite students to share their reflections or poems with the class, fostering a discussion on the importance of unchanging values in navigating the challenges of the VUCA world.