Read the first two verses. Divide the class into eight groups, each with an allocated line, beginning at ‘They fought the dogs’, ‘And killed the cats’ and ending at ‘And even spoiled the women's chats…’. Ask the groups to create still images to illustrate their line. They should practise moving into the image in slow motion and freezing. Then perform in sequence.
Ask each group to create another rat incident. Can they substitute a new occurrence into the poem, telling it in a line that fits the rhythm and metre? These new incidents and lines can then be performed.
The teacher as an unsympathetic council official approaches each group and listens to ‘alleged’ rat incidents. He/she plays them down.
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