For What It's Worth...

Picture by http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com

Soundtrack: Forrest Gump
Title: For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield)

There's something happening here 
What it is ain't exactly clear 
There's a man with a gun over there 
Telling me I got to beware 
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 
There's battle lines being drawn 
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong 
Young people speaking their minds 
Getting so much resistance from behind

 
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 
What a field-day for the heat 
A thousand people in the street 
Singing songs and carrying signs 
Mostly say, hooray for our side 
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 

Paranoia strikes deep 
Into your life it will creep 
It starts when you're always afraid 
You step out of line, the man come and take you away 

We better stop, hey, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 
Stop, hey, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 
Stop, now, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down 
Stop, children, what's that sound 
Everybody look what's going down

Taken from

http://www.lyricsmania.com

To listen to the song
http://www.schoolofmix.com/music/Worth.mp3

I heard the song this morning. As the rhythm was catchy, It was played over and over in my head. So, I 'googled' the internet for the lyrics. It may be a very easy song but the it has a profound meaning. I thought this would be a good piece to be put on my blog to share with everyone else. However as i was looking for a right picture for this post, I stumbled onto a another blog that has written about this song. I even got the picture from the blog. It is stated in there that "With so much social unrest going on just about everywhere, this song still holds its own. For many this song went on to symbolize worldwide turbulence and confrontational feelings arising from events during the 1960's. Even today it's lyrics are still relevant." I agree with the statement. We still have so many on going war that use deadly weapons such as nuclear bombs and improvised multi killing weapons all meant for others' destructions.

How would this song be used as the material in the classroom? What impact would the song give to the students? The answers to these questions would determine the techniques I would choose as well the objectives I would set to carry out the lesson. I could ask the students to sing along with the song, a typical beginning of a lesson but its thrill never runs out. I could ask the students to analyse the meaning or the theme of the song, it would be an ideal material for group discussions as well as presentations. The students can be asked to identify words in the lyrics that relates to the theme they have chosen this would improve the students' contextual learning where they learn that words can be manipulated according to the meaning intended to be delivered in a writing. Values such as peace, friendship, toleration, and unity can be indirectly instilled in students during the teaching and learning period. Materials such as this can transform students' negative perception into a positive one towards learning of English Language as it includes interactive learning among the students using interesting materials.

Poetry in the Classroom, Why Bother?

I found this interesting video that appeals to me on the YouTube. I've been inspired to be more serious with the teaching of Literature in my classroom. There's so much the pupils can do with poetry. Poetry does not have to be difficult after all!!! It can be fun and interesting. Although this video shows how a primary school teacher may carry out poetry in the classroom, I also find that its useful for the Secondary classroom. Writing a poetry based on the book they have read is a great way to produce original writing of the pupils. Writing poetry in groups can lead to cooperative learning as well. However, if the teacher could not make poetry reading a positive experience for the pupils, it would kill their interest to read, write or even enjoy poetry so it is important for the teachers to equip themselves with good methods in order to deal with poetry type text in their class.

Becoming a Woman by Hilary Tham

I read the poem once, I didn't understand it. I read it again, trying to make sense of the stanzas...understood it a little better.Went back to it one last time and it all make sense to me! Who said poetry is easy let alone trying to make sense of it.
The poetry discusses about initiation of a girl into a lady, a mother and a grandmother passing on the tradition and knowledge along with the initiation to the next generation.

The poem discusses about the persona's mother started off by teaching her  to use the rice paper as a modess signalling us that her daughter has reached puberty. Each time the persona would have her period she would be very upset and uncomfortable not understanding the reason behind the trouble. However the persona now a grandmother is blessed with children and grandchildren . She now understood her duty that she bear, that is to ensure the generation continues.

I think this is a good piece of poem to be related to the students. It doesn't matter if boys too are given to read the poem. It could teach the students to appreciate the menstrual process. It could also teaches the boys that the females bear more pain than males in continuing the generation. If the boys don't agree, it could be a good piece to be discussed in the classroom!

Caught reading intensely - Catch us if you can by Catherine MacPhail

Catch us if you can by Catherine Macphail. I enjoyed the novel, I really did although I'm more used to read the much thicker novels. I felt like being in Secondary school again! Story line filled with humour and sentiments of love and loyalty. Yes, a perfect novel for students although the smarter ones would finish reading it in a day and throw it in a corner but it never fails to make you read till you finish. While I was reading it I could not help but to admire the character of Rory. So young and yet he knows so much. A very brilliant  boy who could be only nine or ten years of age who takes on the responsibility of  single handedly taking care of his old Grandfather. I believe upon reading the story, it would teach one to never be afraid to take on big responsibilities and loyalty. Rory was very determined to live with his grandfather when the social worker and other authorities tried take him away and place his grandfather in a home. A very touching story which I believe any age of readers can take on especially parents who intend to teach their kids values of courage, loyalty and responsibility.To think from an angle of an educator, definitely a good book for my literature class.Although I'm not teaching in secondary school right now, I would still suggest to my pupils to read it!