Basic 6 · Ghanaian Language · Poems
Exploring Poems: Key Words and Themes
In this topic you will read poems correctly, identify their key words and discuss their themes.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Read a poem fluently with expression
- Identify key words that carry the poem's meaning
- State and discuss the theme of a poem
What you already know
- Exploring poems (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Oral Language
- Sub-strand
- Poems
- Indicator
- B6.1.3.1.1 – Explore poems correctly and recognize the key words and talk about their themes
Introduction
Key words are like signposts in a poem. They point the reader to the poem's main idea, which is its theme.
1. A Poem (English Version)
"Mother"
Before the cock could crow at dawn,
Mother was up with fire and broom;
She swept the yard, she fetched the water,
She cooked our meal and cleaned our room.
Her hands were rough, her back was bent,
Yet still she sang the whole day through;
And when I asked her why she smiled,
She said, "My child, I work for you."
2. Key Words
| Key word | What it shows |
|---|---|
| dawn | she starts work very early |
| swept, fetched, cooked, cleaned | her many tasks |
| rough, bent | her hard work and sacrifice |
| sang, smiled | her joy and love |
| "I work for you" | her love for her children |
3. Theme
Theme: The main idea or message of a poem.
The theme of "Mother" is a mother's love and sacrifice for her children. The key words show that she works hard from morning to night, yet she is happy because she loves her family. The poem encourages children to appreciate and respect their mothers.
4. How to Find the Theme
- Read the poem slowly two or three times.
- Underline the words that are repeated or that stand out.
- Ask: What is the poet talking about? How does the poet feel about it?
- Say the main message in one sentence.
5. Common Themes in Ghanaian Poems
| Theme | Example subjects |
|---|---|
| love and family | mothers, fathers, children |
| nature | rivers, trees, rain |
| patriotism | love for Ghana |
| death and loss | funeral poems (dirges) |
| wisdom and morals | proverbs, advice |
Your teacher will give you a poem in your Ghanaian language. Find its key words, state its theme and recite it with expression.
New words
- key word
- An important word that carries meaning.
- theme
- The main idea or message of a poem.
- sacrifice
- Giving up something for others.
- recite
- To say a poem aloud with expression.
- patriotism
- Love for one's country.
- dirge
- A funeral song or poem.
Summary
- Key words point to the meaning of a poem.
- The theme is the main message.
- "Mother" is about a mother's love and sacrifice.
- Read carefully, underline key words and state the theme in one sentence.
Class activity: Theme Hunt
- Read a poem in your Ghanaian language.
- Underline five key words.
- Write the theme and recite the poem.
You need: Locally made song or poem cards, Local drum, Gourd shaker
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The main idea of a poem is its…
- A. theme
- B. title
- C. line
- D. stanza
Show answer
Answer: themeMessage.2. Which key words show the mother's hard work?
- A. rough, bent
- B. sang, smiled
- C. dawn, room
- D. child, you
Show answer
Answer: rough, bentEffects of work.3. What is the theme of "Mother"?
- A. A mother's love and sacrifice
- B. A football match
- C. A trip to town
- D. A school lesson
Show answer
Answer: A mother's love and sacrificeMain message.4. Key words help us find the theme.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey are signposts.5. The mother in the poem was unhappy.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseShe sang and smiled.6. A funeral poem or song is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: dirgeTheme of loss.7. List four tasks the mother did in the poem.
Show answer
Answer: Swept the yard, fetched water, cooked, cleaned the room.From the poem.8. Why does the mother say "I work for you"?
Show answer
Answer: She works hard out of love for her children and finds joy in caring for them.Interpretation.
Homework
- Write a six-line poem in your Ghanaian language about someone you love and state its theme.