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Seeing Is Definitely Not Believing
One Hour Lesson Plan
English language
7 to 10 year olds
INTRODUCTION
English children love poetry, and they learn our language using rhyming words right from the beginning. It teaches them that words which rhyme are not necessarily spelt the same
The problem with the English language is “pronunciation” and “spelling” because what you see in English is not necessarily what you say.
Too/blue/grew/flu/through/threw Does this prove the point?
The following lesson will demonstrate clearly to the children that they need to pay particular attention to sounds in the language and also to the spellings of words.
AIM
To show pupils the inconsistencies of the English language.
To demonstrate that the sounds we hear in English are not necessarily spelt alike and also that words that can look alike can be spelt quite differently.
OBJECTIVES
Pupils will read the poem in the class with a different person reading each verse.
They will be able to write the rhyming words and then check from the poem that their own spellings are correct.
Using the above poem to “shadow”, they will write their own verse, taking two vowel sounds and, using RhymeZone, giving examples of differences in spellings for their chosen vowel sounds.
PREPARATION
Materials
Individual computers for pupils.
Copies of the poem for pupils.
It may be worthwhile to have your pupils read this poem at home prior to the lesson and give selected pupils each one verse to read. They can find it on the internet: http://www.whiteheadm.co.uk/html/seeing.html#seeing – and can hear the words at the same time by clicking on the photograph to the side. Or you can give them the printed sheet before their lesson.
LESSON
INTRODUCTION – 5 minutes
Explain to the children the fact that in the case of every vowel sound in the English language, there are many different spellings, as shown in the poem they are going to read aloud. Pay attention to the spellings.
25 minutes
First pupil: Read the first verse clearly and slowly. Pupils turn papers over. Then call out the words in inverted commas and ask pupils to write them into their books, then check on spellings.
Continue in this way all the way through the poem.
10 minutes
Using Rhyme Zone: http://www.rhymezone.com/ write their own verse, shadowing one of the verses in the poem. Rhyme Zone will clearly show words that rhyme but which may be spelt differently and is an excellent tool for a poet of rhyming poetry.
10 minutes
Ask various pupils to read their verses, and for others to write down the rhyming words which, hopefully, will be spelt in different ways.
HOMEWORK
What words can they discover which look alike, but are pronounced quite differently. (eg – through; cough; though; bough;). Which words can they discover which have silent letters in them (eg comb; tomb; etc)
Copyright 2007