The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield
To explore metaphors more fully on your own, there are three directions you can go. The first is simply to start noticing whenever you meet one. Jane Hirshfield slipped metaphors into many of the things she said in this lesson. You might listen to it again and make a list of some of the metaphors she used along the way, without pointing out that they were metaphors. Then go to any random web blog or newspaper or magazine article and just start reading until you’ve found a half dozen metaphors.
Handwashing - Classroom - BTN
Across the globe a highly advanced weapon is being deployed to combat the spread of diseases, it's washing your hands. JACK EVANS, REPORTER: What? Washing your hands? But I've been doing that forever. Like my mum always says, a washed hand gathers no moss.
Using poems to develop productive skills
This is a great motivator. Poems are often rich in cultural references, and they present a wide range of learning opportunities. For me, the aim is to teach English through poetry, not to teach the poetry itself, so you don't need to be a literature expert. Most of the tried and tested activities used regularly by language teachers can be adapted easily to bring poetry into the classroom.
Why Can’t Penguins Fly?
Would you like to hear a joke? Okay, here it is: Why can’t penguins fly? Any ideas? It’s because they don‘t have enough money to buy plane tickets! Okay, so that’s an old joke, but we still like it! And it made us WONDER…why can’t penguins fly?
National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month, 30 days of celebrating the joy, expressiveness, and pure delight of poetry. Learn more about the National Poetry Month, get to know some of our most well-loved children's poets in our video interview series, browse the many online resources listed here, and visit your local library or bookstore to discover wonderful new books and anthologies. Poets on poetry Listen in as acclaimed children's writers like Marilyn Singer, Ashley Bryan, Jack Prelutsky, Mary Ann Hoberman, Nikki Grimes, and Janet Wong talk about reading poetry aloud and writing poetry.
Treasure Island
Jim Hawkins loved adventure. When a blind man by the name of Black Dog came to live with him and his mother in their Inn, Jim had no idea he was to get into one great big dangerous adventure. Black Dog was an unfriendly old man.
Barbaric Yawp in the 21st Century: Using Tech to Engage Budding Poets
What if Dead Poets Society were set in modern times? Would Mr. Keating (Robin Williams' character) tweet Walt Whitman? I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world. #significantquote #carpediem
(Re)Creating Poets: How to Teach Poetry in the Classroom
The wonderful poet Naomi Shihab Nye first introduced me to William Stafford's idea that no one becomes a poet. She says that we are all born poets, and it's just that some of us choose to keep up the habit. At times, all of us inevitably get stuck viewing ourselves in static and limiting ways. When I tell students that we will be studying poetry there are always some students who mutter, "I can't write poems." A poetry unit and Poetry Month are opportunities for encouraging students to write in new, creative and different ways. Bill Moyers reminds us, "Fooling with words is the play of poetry."
Songs and Activities for English Language Learners
Song lyrics can be difficult for English language learners to comprehend. So for Activities 1-7, you begin by examining the lyrics to find an aspect of the song that is accessible–past-tense verbs that you could delete for a cloze exercise, for example, or phrases that you could extract for a walking dictation. For the activity below, there is no need to give a song that level of scrutiny (although, as always, you will want to make sure the language and content are appropriate for your classroom). All you need is a recording of the song and copies of its lyrics.
Writing Poetry with English Language Learners
I Have to Write a Poem for Class By Jack PrelutskyI have to write a poem for class But don't think I'll succeed, I know I don't know all the words That I am going to need. I cannot quite imagine How my poem's supposed to be — I've got a sinking feeling I'm not good at poetry.My poem must have a meter And it also has to rhyme, It's due tomorrow morning… How I wish I had more time! I do not think that I can write A poem the way I should — But look…this is a poem right here, And it is pretty good.
What is a Virus? - Classroom - BTN
RADIO: Can you see anything officer? OFFICER: Germs. And not just any germs. It's a virus.
Amazing resource of Shel Silverstein poems with lesson plans and thematic units. Great for all ages to introduce rhyme, rhythm and sillies! Short, easy to remember poems, as well as longer engaging poems great for memorization. by c.williams Nov 5