Ruth M. Wilson
I have decided to attack this problem by exposing my students to Idiomatic Expressions. These idioms can be found in imagery in general. Through the use of the computer and the oral discussion approach to reading, there will be a lot of conversation and interaction in the classroom between student and student, and teacher and student. The computer will be used to reinforce lessons taught. Students will first take the Pretest on the computer and then work with lessons on the chalkboard and dittos.
The “wheel diagram” provided below will make unit objectives constantly visible and thereby less formidable.
(figure available in print form)
OBJECTIVE I.
Students will understand recognize “language imagery” such as Similes, Metaphors, and Colloqualisms (slang) as part of familiar conversation.
1. STRATEGY FOR OBJECTIVE I.
a.
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Teacher presents posters on the chalkboard ledge to initiate a discussion with class.
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b.
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Teacher is to define and make class aware of terms for recognizing such idioms as Similes, Metaphors and Colloquialisms. Students will pair off in twos to take a Pretest on the computer.
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d.
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Students will copy definitions with examples from the board.
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LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE I.
PREPARATION:
Have posters depicting Simile, Metaphor, and Colloquialism in view on chalkboard. Have computer and cassette lesson ready for Pretesting class.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
notebook, pencil
PROCEDURE:
Teacher will begin lesson with large group instruction. Pointing to posters on ledge of board, teacher discusses each poster making note of their similarities and their differences. Teacher will elicit from class what they think the messages imply. After discussion of why a specific phrase was used, class will copy language definitions from board to notebook.
TEACHER DISCUSSION:
“How many of you students have ever heard a teacher use a term that you didn’t understand? Well, today I am going to introduce you to some terms which have a special meaning and name. These sayings or phrases are called idioms.” Teacher defines term and introduces posters emphasizing the “word imagery” that describes each picture. Next students working in pairs, will take a Pretest of “language imagery” on the computer. Those students waiting for turn on the computer will copy definitions from board into notebooks.
LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE I
Sample lesson from computer
This program will test your knowledge of some useful vocabulary (Metaphor) word.
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1. What does “arthritic car” mean?
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1. stays close to home
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2. very light
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3. uncaring person
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4. broken car
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5. too much work
Right!
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2. What phrase means “shouts but doesn’t mean it?”
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1. fountain of youth
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2. clinging vine
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3. raining cats and dogs
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4. his bark is worse than his bite
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5. sly as a fox
Right!
You have 2 right out of two questions.
3.
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What does “he’s an iceberg” mean?
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1. rough hands
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2. uncaring person
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3. sneaky can’t be trusted
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4. doesn’t think for oneself
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5. very light
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Right!
Sample lesson from computer
You have 3 right out of three questions.
4.
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What phrase means “a smart person?”
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1. raining cats and dogs
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2. walking encyclopedia
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3. she’s a puppet
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4. sly as a fox
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5. clinging vine
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Right!
You have 4 right out of four questions.
5.
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What does “mountain of work” mean?
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1. very light
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2. too much work
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3. doesn’t think for himself
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4. become a big success
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5. honest and above board
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Right!
You have 5 right out of five questions.
That’s 100%.
Very good!
TEACHER FOLLOWUP
: As students are working in pairs, teacher should be available to give help when needed. Teacher may also be a participant or observer in small group work at the computer.
OBJECTIVE II: Teacher will write a list of Similes on the board using the key words . . . “like” or “as”.
STRATEGY OF OBJECTIVE II
a.
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Students will write seven sentences using Similes.
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b.
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Students will work in pairs so that they can discuss work being done.
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c.
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Teacher will be available to observe and give assistance.
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LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE II
Similes are words that describe by comparison using “like” or “as.” You are to read each Simile and decide its meaning then match the meanings below with the above phrases.
1.
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quick as a flash
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2.
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stubborn as a mule
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3.
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sly as a fox
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4.
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hard as a rock
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5.
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meek as a lamb
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6.
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busy as a bee
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7.
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eyes like stars
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8.
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worked like a horse
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9.
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cheeks like roses
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10. fat as a hog
Nows the time to use your head and match the meanings. Good luck!
1.
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a very large person
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2.
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pretty eyes
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3.
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very fast
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4.
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not to be trusted
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5.
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very gentle
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6.
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red cheeks
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7.
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did a lot of heavy work
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8.
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won’t change your mind
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9.
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fat and sloppy
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10. always doing something
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note: Don’t forget to write your name and date on paper.
Thank you!
PREPARATION
: Teacher will write a list of Similes with matching answers on the board. Students are to copy the assignment from board making sure that each phrase is spelled correctly.
ASSIGNMENT:
After copying work from the board, students, in small groups, will work on assignment. Then students are to choose seven Similes from paper and write seven sentences using these Similes. Student is to decide in which manner to approach this assignment: seven per student or fourteen as group work.
OBJECTIVE III AND IV: Teacher will follow the same steps as outline in the previous lesson for discussion and procedures for Metaphor and Collquialism. Teacher will incorporate diagram to show students how Idioms are alike yet different.
STRATEGY FOR OBJECTIVE III AND IV:
a.
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using the same format as the previous lesson, the teacher will continue to reinforce the concept that idioms are part of the “language imagery” which is used in everyday speech.
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b.
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using diagram to reinforce concept of the interrelationship between the concepts and to show, also, their difference.
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LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE III.
Here is an example of how Simile, Metaphor, and Colloquial are similar yet different.
(figure available in print form)
Metaphors are words that paint a picture. Just as a beautiful picture has lovely colors for you to enjoy, a Metaphor has the same effect only with words. A Metaphor compares one thing to another.
1.
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walking encyclopedia
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2.
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head is a computer
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3.
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arthritic car
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4.
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mountain of work
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5.
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bark is worse than his bite
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6.
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clinging vine
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7.
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sandpaper hands
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8.
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fountain of youth
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9.
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puppet
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10.
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iceberg
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Match meanings below to the Metaphors above. Good luck!
1.
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smart person
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2.
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good in math
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3.
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a lot of paper work
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4.
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car needs to be fixed
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5.
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stays close to home
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6.
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shouts a lot but doesn’t mean it
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7.
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does not think for self
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8.
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uncaring person
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9.
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young looking and young acting
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10. very rough hands
LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE IV.
Remember a Colloquialism is a group of words that we use in everyday conversation. People use these phrases in a special way. They are not to be taken literally.
1.
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show true colors
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2.
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hit the jackpot
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3.
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throw in the towel
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4.
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drink like a fish
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5.
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let your hair down
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6.
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by hook or by crook
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7.
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honest and above board
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8.
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hard as a rock
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9.
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chicken feed
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10. sings like a bird
Match meanings to the Colloquialisms above.
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2. doesn’t listen to anyone
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3. very small amount
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4. not caring how something is done
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5. can be trusted
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6. to give in
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7. very satisfying
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8. drinks lots of liquids
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9. enjoying yourself
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10. stubborn or something very hard . . . like a muscle
How many Colloquialisms did you find?
Did you find any Similes?
Did you find any Metaphors?
PREPARATION:
Teacher will hand out worksheet to students and follow same procedure as in previous lessons II and III.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
pencil, notebook, and hand-out.
ASSIGNMENT:
Read and discuss handout with class. Then class is to work in small groups following procedures as stated previously in lesson II and III.
OBJECTIVE V.
Students will become more knowledgeable in idiom usage when speaking of writing.
STRATEGY FOR OBJECTIVE V.
a.
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Student will interpret short paragraphs using language imagery.
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b.
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Teacher will help students understand that reading, writing, and language are interdependent.
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c.
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Students will become more selective in choosing idioms when speaking.
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LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE V:
You are to paraphrase each short paragraph. You may work with your partner to do the paraphrasing. Remember: idioms paint a colorful picture in speech and are not to be taken literally.
1.
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Hey now, pal! What’s happening? You look beat and seem to be on edge. I can’t make heads nor tails of your story, so simmer down and cool off!
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2.
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Yesterday I ran into my ace. He said that he had moved lock, stock, and barrel to the city. We jawed awhile, then I had to make it to my pad. As I left, I said, “Give me a ring sometime”.
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3.
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Jokes that are old hat are often boring. I can’t make heads or tails of them, when I get over the edge I just take off!
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4.
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When you have a run in with your ace, you feel bad. Sometimes you jump out of the frying pan into the fire by jawing too much!
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5.
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My father works hard to bring home the bacon. Because of his job, his muscles are hard as rocks. He can get down with the best of them. Can you guess what my father’s job is?
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PREPARATION:
Teacher will have work sheet containing five short paragraphs for students to paraphrase.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
pencil, handout, notebook
PROCEDURE:
“Today we are going to read five short paragraphs using “language imagery.” You are to read each paragraph and decide with your partner the meaning of each paragraph. Remember you are to use Standard English”.
ASSIGNMENT:
Read and discuss handout with partner. One student is to act as recorder and write down paraphrasing of each paragraph to be turned in. Each group is to put both names on paper to identify your work.
OBJECTIVE VI.
Students are to be aware that idioms are used daily in our speech, on radio, on TV, in magazines, and ads to get messages to the public.
STRATEGY FOR OBJECTIVE VI.
a.
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Teacher will show a prepared poster for class to interpret . . . what is this ad trying to sell?
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b.
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Students using material available from magazines, newspapers, ads will select and cut out appropriate pictures to mount, then print their particular Idiomatic Phrase.
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c.
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Students using their posters will prepare a short presentation to class explaining rationale for particular choice of words.
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PREPARATION:
Teacher will have various magazines, newspapers in classroom for students to use.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
scissors, glue and construction paper
PROCEDURE:
“Today we’ll be working with magazines. Browse through a magazine of your choice and choose any colorful picture to cut out and post. Then think about an appropriate idiom to describe that picture”.
ASSIGNMENT:
Choose an attractive, colorful picture and write an idiom of your choice for that picture. Collect and display work on the board. Ask each student to read his idiom: then have the class try to identify the picture from the idiom read.
OBJECTIVE VII.
Students will have learned fifty idioms of teacher’s choice for use and understanding. Students will interact with the computer for reinforcement of skills.
STRATEGY FOR OBJECTIVE VII.
a.
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Students will interact with the computer to reinforce skills being taught.
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b.
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Students by interacting with learning tape on computer, will be able to get immediate feed-back from program so student’s progress can be noted.
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PREPARATION:
Teacher will have computer, tape, and printer ready for lesson.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
notebook, pencil
PROCEDURE:
“Now I’m going to see how well you have remembered the idioms that we have been working with.” Teacher “boots in” program for student’s use. Following the procedure of working in small groups, student will interact with the computer. Each student in group records the results of the lesson into notebook . . . comparing results of Pretest with results from Posttest. Teacher will check to see if students are following directions.
ASSIGNMENT:
Each student is to record their results in a notebook under Posttest with date. While other students are waiting for their turn on the computer, they will be using books or magazines to locate idioms and write their interpretation of the idioms. Also teacher may pass out other work sheets which are located in the unit.
POINT OF INFORMATION:
The computer tape of idioms taught in this unit can be located at The Yale New Haven Teachers Institute, 53 Wall Street. Teachers using unit tape may substitute idioms of their choice by changing the data statements to suit the occasion. This lesson is compatible with the Radio Shack TRS80 model three computer.
LESSON FOR OBJECTIVE VI
Here are examples of lessons that class can prepare.
Student creates ad to sell an item: using “language imagery”
(figure available in print form)
What is this ad trying to sell?
What is it “literally saying”?
WORKSHEETS FOR STUDENTS
Idioms
Idioms are common words that give a completely new meaning to a word or phrase. Idiomatic Expressions are not to be taken literally.
1.
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run across
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2.
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run down
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3.
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run into
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4.
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run rings around
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5.
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run into
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6.
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throw a party
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7.
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throw light on it
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8.
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see about
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9. see eye to eye
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10. see through
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11. see to it
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12. throw a fit
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13. throw in the sponge
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14. throw in the towel
Match the meanings below with the
idioms
above.
1. falling apart
2.
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have a fight
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3.
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can do it better
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4.
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to meet
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5.
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very tired
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6.
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to stop
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7.
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suddenly understand
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8.
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understand
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9.
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investigate
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10. do something about it
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11. understand
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12. give a party
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13. to stop
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14. to give up
note: some of the sayings and meanings are similar.
Expressions that are well known
1.
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That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
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2.
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It’s in the bag.
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3.
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It’s a rat race.
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4.
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He’s over the hill.
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5.
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Stop bugging me.
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6.
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It’s just chicken feed.
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7.
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She’s good for putting her foot in her mouth.
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8.
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It’s a dog’s life.
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9.
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He’s got rocks in his head.
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10.
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I’ll put it in the circular file.
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11.
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Get off my back.
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12.
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We’re all in the same boat.
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13.
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He got the ax.
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14.
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It’s raining cats and dogs.
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15.
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Don’t play dirty pool.
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16.
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You’re up the creek without a paddle.
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17.
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Cat got your tongue.
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18.
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Can you dig it.
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19.
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Straight from the horse’s mouth.
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20.
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Go fly a kite.
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Idioms to learnColloquialism
1.
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What’s eating you
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2.
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To be on edge
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3.
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To see the handwriting on the wall
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4.
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To run across something
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5.
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To jaw awhile
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6.
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To give a ring sometime
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7.
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To be old hat
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8.
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Lock, stock, and barrel
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9.
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To be over the hill
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10.
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To take off
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11.
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To have cold feet
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12.
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To drop in one’s tracks
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13.
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To bring home the bacon
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14.
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To pull your leg
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15.
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To talk turkey
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IDIOMS
Slang expressions change quite frequently. For example: “here today and gone tomorrow.” Here are more dated expressions to compare with the new ones of today.
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1. Pad: Let’s go over to my pad.
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2. Hip: He’s hip to our plan.
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3. Get hitched: When are you getting hitched?
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4. Tired dogs: Gee, my dogs are tired.
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5. Gizmo: Can you fix this gizmo.
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6. Razz: It’s not polite to razz people.
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7. Bread: When you work, you get bread.
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8. Hot dog: She’s a real hot dog when skating.
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9. Turkey: Let’s talk turkey.
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10. Cool: Let’s cool it right now!
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11. Creamed: Our team creamed your team.
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12. Far out: Man, that’s far out!
Remember Slang Words don’t last long so don’t let it limit you in your reading and speech.
COLLOQUIALISMS OF 1984
These sayings were compiled by Veronica Douglas a student at Cross High School.
What’s up: a for of greeting . . . “hello”
Homegirl: very close female friend
Homeboy: very close male friend
Dude: a nice looking young man
Freak: well dressed: nice looking girl
Kicks: sneakers, shoes
Crib: house
Ace: best friend
Flick: movie, photo
Bank roll: large amount of money
Starvin like Marvin: very hungry
No way Jose: won’t do something
Hey now: happy greeting
Maxing out: casually not bothering anyone
Ice that: stop something
Right thing: Getting an education or a job
Crew: a group of friends together
Maxing and relaxing: casually not bothering anyone
Jam: dancing
Chilling: standing still and posing
Wimp: afraid to take a change
These sayings were compiled by author of unit.
Colloquialisms
(slang expressions) change with time. Here is a comparison of then and now.
Chilling: scary, horrible
Dude: a stupid person
Ice: jewelry
Pad: someone’s house
Right on: agreeing with someone
Threads: clothes
Bad: positive meaning . . . very good
Coins: money
Cooling it: relaxing
Bug off: telling someone to stop
Homegirl: person for the rural south
Homeboy: person from the rural south
Dough: large sum of money
Skinny Minnie: a very thin girl
Cool it: stop it immediately
Get down: to fight
Ears lowered: just got a hair cut
Yellow: scared, not confident
Walkers: shoes
Bad: really something special
Chicken: to be afraid
(figure available in print form)
(figure available in print form)
(figure available in print form)
(figure available in print form)
(figure available in print form)
IDIOMATIC ALPHABET
A is for “ACT RIGHT”
B is for “BYENOW”
C is for “COOL IT”
D is for “DIG IT”
E is for “EAGLEEYES”
F is for “FAR OUT”
G is for “GO FOR IT”
H is for “HEY NOW”
I is for “ITSYBITSY”
J is for “JUNK FOOD”
K is for “KICK THE HABIT”
L is for “LEMON”
M is for “MUSCLE MOUTH”
N is for “NUTS AND BOLTS”
O is for “OUT OF THIS WORLD”
P is for “PATSY”
Q is for “QUICK AS A WINK”
R is for “RIGHT ON”
S is for “SWINGER”
T is for “TIPSY”
U is for “UP THE CREEK”
V is for “VINES THAT CLING”
W is for “WASHED OUT”
X is for “X RATED”
Y is for “YELLOW”
Z is for “ZAPPED”