Promises– Poetry

There are certainly a variety of clues that tip us off before any event of importance takes place, and this lesson will get students thinking about these clues, promises.

An excellent way of introducing this lesson is to invite students to discuss the signs that indicate that some event is about to happen – the “promise”of something to come. For example, a student might notice a change in the activities of classmates as the time for dismissal gets nearer.

1. The first part is to ask students to play a game of associations. Give them the an event, and ask them to think what might happen after it.

These events could help them get started. Write them on the board and give them time to think and respond. You may wish to write your responses too.

 

The splashing of water, the hissing of steam, the spilling of milk, the click of a light switch, the humming of bees, the rustle of leaves, the grinding of a pencil in a pencil sharpener, the rumble of a motor, the banging of a door.

 

Feel free to add others if you wish. 

2. Now, you give the chance to those willing  students to read aloud their associations.This part of the lesson is very rich, as the children’s responses will reveal part of their personalities and background. Why don’t you start reading some of yours to encourage participation?

3. Then, students do some deeper evaluation of what they have written, deciding which of the promises they like the most and which appeals the least. You may reflect on the importance of editting as part of a writing process. Ask them to start their response with WOW verbs if possible.

4. Finally, ask your students to compose a poem. The particular form of verse is not important. Give the children the chance to write couplets because they rhyme, and the stanza is only two lines long.

 

It would be something like this:

The splashing of water, made me think of summer holidays at the pool.

The spilling of milk, ….

 

As an extension, you could ask your students to illustrate their poem, creating a comic template for each stanza; or they could make a pop up book to read aloud to younger students; they could make animated versions of the poems in ICT class; they could record themselves reading the poem aloud and add that recording to a PPT presentation as the sides pass. There are plenty of possibilities!