Face in the Mirror - A Teacher's Guide
Judy Morris (2022)
Poetry is a distillation of language. It has concentrated meaning.
In schools, poetry can be taught as part of the key reading, writing and speaking and listening areas of language development. But its effect and educative value are not limited to language development. Poetry can have a positive impact on the social and emotional learning of young people, and can provide them with a healthy outlet for their emotions as well as a means of accessing and understanding those feelings.
This teaching guide is intended to help young people explore issues associated with mental health, wellbeing and relationships. The lesson plans provide opportunities for young people to talk about worries and concerns, to see their connections with others and with the world around them, and to empathise with others. The aim is to move away from stigmatising mental health problems, a state of affairs that still persists in society, and to be able to talk about mental health and wellbeing issues in a normalised, accepting and supportive forum.
Judy Morris trained as a teacher and taught for over twenty-five years before becoming a headteacher and then an author. Judy’s classroom experience includes specialisms in English, with a special interest in poetry, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). The hallmark of her teaching was always a deep concern for the wellbeing and happiness of her pupils. The countryside surrounding her home in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire, a wild landscape that she has explored on foot and horseback, has served as a constant source of inspiration for her writing, imagination and creative energy.
This book is a collection of classical and modern poetry compiled to support students with their mental health. It accompanies a teacher's manual, complete with lesson plans and commentary, compiled to support the UK national curriculum.
Ana Byrd / Amazon.jp
I first interviewed Judy back in December 2019, and she was most recently a guest on the 2022 Live Poetry Special. Judy was a teacher and headteacher before becoming a writer. Her two books Face in the Mirror, a poetry anthology and teachers’ guide to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing, are out now
North Manchester FM 106.6 / Hannah's Bookshelf
Life Challenges
- Feeling sad, low or depressed
- Recovering when things goes wrong
- Loss
- Unsure of identity and who you are
- Finding inspiration when you feel you have none
Themes
- Health and wellbeing
- Mental Health
- Love and acceptance
- Transitions
- Resurrection
What's Great?
- Themed poetry
- Beautiful imagery
- Curriculum focused
- Delightful use of language
- Informative
