Teaching I wonder by Jeannie Kirby Idea 1

Posted in Ideas, Literature on 07. Jan, 2010

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This is the first of TESLMALAYSIAs Lite-Fun Series (Literature: Light and Fun). I Wonder by Jeannie Kirby is one of the poems included in the new literature component and it is a very interesting poem. On first reading, it is rather apparent that the poem seems to be a lament by the persona on everything around him or her. There is a strong sense of deep thinking and it resembles the typical small thoughts that we have when were observing our surroundings or wake up in the morning or even when were sitting alone, sipping our coffee at the corner of a coffee shop.

The poem is written in an a a b b rhyme scheme, a popular scheme used to create a song-like poem. In fact, some teachers have spent time changing this poem into a song, to help the students. I wonder by Jeannie Kirby I wonder why the grass is green And why to each other were often mean?

Who taught us how to curse and hate? And lead us to betray our faith? Why cant we learn to live and love? And give all praises to him above Why must we strive to put others down? Why not wear a smile instead of a frown. Must we forever devise new ways? To hurt each other instead of praise? For arent we all the same in his sight Dont we all rise in the morn and sleep at night? For who amongst us has not shed a tear Or hurt by another who never seemed to care. And which of us has not done the same To hurt another or caused some shame. When shall we learn to let go of the past And live each day like its our very last? Which will you be, an foe or a friend? Would you still hate today, if this was your end? Dont we yet know that it clouds our fate When we ignore love and foster hate. When hate fills your heart, it makes you blue, For the person most hurt will always be you. Lets rise each morning, smile and say Thank you God, for yet another day Thanks for your love and tender care And give me more love in my heart to share. This poem is rather straightforward to be taught. The key here is to build up the mood or sense of emotional outburst. One way is to use the Lemon Tree song by Fools Garden. The song is essentially similar in terms of how the persona is expressing his or her opinion on things that just didnt turn out right and the sense of disappointment and emptiness. In Jeannies poem, the persona laments on humans ignorance in promoting love and peace. In the Lemon Tree, the persona laments on his long-lost love (perhaps a girlfriend). It is often good to start a literature lesson with a song, as means to attract students attention and highlight salient features of a specific text. In terms of themes, always start with an easy surface theme before going deeper like in I wonder, tolerance and acceptance would be ultimate theme. LEMON TREE

By Fools Garden Im sitting here in a boring room its just another rainy Sunday afternoon Im wasting my time I got nothing to do Im hanging around Im waiting for you But nothing ever happens- and I wonder Im driving around in my car Im driving too fast Im driving too far Id like to change my point of view I feel so lonely Im waiting for you But nothing ever happens- and I wonder I wonder how I wonder why yesterday you told me bout the blue blue sky and all tall that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree Im turning my head up and down Im turning turning turning turning turning around And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree Im sitting here I miss the power Id like to go out taking a shower but theres a heavy cloud in side my head I feel so tired put myself into bed where nothing ever happens- and I wonder Isolation is not good for me Isolation I dont want to sit on a lemon-tree Im steppin around in a desert of joy Baby anyhow Ill get another toy and every thing will happen-and youll wonder I wonder how I wonder why yesterday you told me bout the blue blue sky and all tall that I can see is just a yellow lemon-tree Im turning my head up and down Im turning turning turning turning turning around And all that I can see is just another lemon-tree In the next part, well look specifically at the language features, themes as well as several other activities that can be done using this poem (lesson plans included).

9 Responses to Teaching I wonder by Jeannie Kirby Idea 1

1.

Jebat Haziq says: January 10, 2010 at 10:28 pm Very interesting blog post. keep posting bro! I hope i can improve my eng. by reading ur blog post kudos! Reply

2.

Ayue Ryu says: January 11, 2010 at 12:27 am very, very useful..thanks for the input..i am at the moment is still lost as to where n how to intro. this new lit. component..no guidelines yet received..hope to hve more guide in this matter.. Reply

3.

MrPong says: January 12, 2010 at 10:41 am well, thats the thingwe dont even know that we are going to use new items in the LITCOMP but, i do like the new LITCOMPmore relaxing and got drama!!!

Reply

4.

shalini says: January 19, 2010 at 3:47 pm this did not help me my students are beginners Reply

MrPong says: January 27, 2010 at 9:58 pm well,my students toojust dont over do it.. Reply

nurullina ain lee says: February 20, 2010 at 10:42 pm well, for beginners, tell them about the literary devices firstwith examples. Students got the idea that literature is like Shakespeare and that scares them. Let them know that in poem, the imagination can run free because poem is about imagination with words! Get them to try to compose simple poems first and then let them read to the class and explain the meaning to their peers. Once they got hook on it, it will be the teachers big task to stop their free imagination from running wild! Hope this helps. Bye. Reply

5.

mel says: January 21, 2010 at 9:47 pm my students really enjoy the song very much and ask for repetition

Reply

6.

kartina says: August 9, 2010 at 12:33 am gud ones.luv thepoem. nice Reply

7.

hawa says: January 4, 2011 at 2:56 pm why is it different from the version in the book? Reply

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