Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Duration:
One Fifty-Five Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learners will:
- define “poetry.”
- identify elements of poetry in musical lyrics, printed materials, commercials and rap songs.
- define “philanthropy” and find examples of philanthropic themes in poetry.
Materials:
- Adam Sandler CD with “Lunchlady Land”
- Overhead projector
- Where Do We Find Poetry? (Attachment One)
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
On the overhead or chalkboard write the question: “What is poetry and where do you find it?” Allow about five minutes for students to think about this and respond in writing. While students are writing, you may choose to use the portion of the Sandler CD with “Lunchlady Land.” (Teacher’s Note: This is the only portion of the CD that you should use since the content of the rest of the CD may be objectionable and inappropriate for classroom use.)
- Discuss the students’ definition of poetry and ask them to name different places where they would find poetry. Tell students that the poet Marianne Moore defines poetry as “imaginary gardens with real toads in them.” Discuss what this means. Poetry is painting pictures and creating sounds with words.
- Distribute to students Where Do We Find Poetry? (Attachment One). Discuss this and then have students get with a partner and list names or words from lyrics and poems that they can recall. Allow about ten minutes for them to work together and share their lists with the rest of the class.
- Give the students the definition of philanthropy (giving of one’s time, treasure or talent for the common good) and tell them that this is a common theme found in poetry. Put the following Emily Dickinson poem on the overhead or chalkboard.
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Ask students how this relates to philanthropy.
- For homework have the learners find an example of a song lyric or a poem that deals with love, giving and the common good, or students may choose to write an original poem on this theme.
Assessment:
The homework assignment may serve as the assessment.
Bibliographical References:
Sandler, Adam. They’re All Gonna Laugh at You. Warner Bros., September 28, 1993. Compact Disk ASIN: 000002MMG
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Pat GrimleySt. Charles Community Schools
Anna M. Thurston Middle School
St. Charles, MI 48655
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Where Do We Find Poetry?
poem: (noun) A composition in verse with language selected for its beauty and sound.
Nursery Rhymes and Songs
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Hey Diddle Diddle:
Hey diddle diddle
The cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
TV Theme Songs
The Brady Bunch:
Here’s the story
Of a lovely lady
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls.
All of them had hair of gold, like their mother
The youngest one in curls.
Here’s a story
Of a man named Brady
Who was busy with three boys of his own.
They were four men living all together.
Yet they were all alone.
Till the one day when the lady met this fellow
And they knew that it was much more than a hunch
That this group must somehow form a family.
That’s the way they all became the Brady bunch.
The Brady bunch
The Brady bunch
That’s the way they all became the Brady bunch.
Advertising
McDonald’s Commercial Jingle
Two all beef patties
Special sauce, lettuce, cheese
Pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun
Songs
Lunchlady Land (Sandler, Adam. They’re All Gonna Laugh at You.)
Woke up in the morning
Put on my new plastic glove
Served some reheated Salisbury steak
With a little slice of love
Got no clue what the chicken pot pie is made of
Just know everything’s doing fine
Down here in Lunchlady Land
Well I wear this net on my head
‘ Cause I got a bad case of the gout
I know you want seconds on the corndogs
But there’s no reason to shout
Everybody gets enough food down here in Lunchlady land
Well yesterday’s meatloaf is today’s sloppy joes
And my breath reeks of tuna
And there’s lots of black hairs coming out of my nose
In Lunchlady land your dreams come true
Clouds made of carrots and peas
Mountains built of shepherds pie
And rivers made of macaroni and cheese
But don’t forget to return your trays
And try to ignore my gum disease
No student can escape the magic of Lunchlady Land
Hoagies & grinders, hoagies & grinders
Hoagies & grinders
Navy beans, navy beans, navy beans
Hoagies & grinders, hoagies & grinders
Navy beans, navy beans
Meatloaf sandwich
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Well I dreamt one morning that I woke up to see
All the pepperoni pizza was a-looking at me
It screamed, why do you burn me and serve me up cold
I said I got the spatula just do what you’re told
Then the liver and onions started joining the fight
And the chocolate pudding pushed me with all its might
And the chop suey slapped me and it kicked me in the head
It’s called revenge Lunchlady said the garlic bread
I said what did I do to make you all so mad
They said you got flabby arms and your breath is bad
Then the green beans said you better run and hide
But then my friend sloppy joe came and joined my side
He said if it wasn’t for the Lunchlady the kids wouldn’t eatcha
You should be shakin’ her hand and sayin’ pleased to meet ya’
She gives you a purpose and she gives you a goal
You should be kissin’ her feet and kissin’ her mole
Now all the angry foods just leave me alone
And we all live together in a happy home
Thanks to sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Sloppy joe, slop, sloppy joe
Well me and sloppy joe got married
We got six kids and we’re doin’ just fine
Down in Lunchlady Land
Unit Contents:
Overview:Poetry of Giving (The) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- What Is Poetry and Where Can You Find It?
- 2.
- Sounds of Language (The)
- 3.
- Painting Pictures with Poetry
- 4.
- Connecting Poetry with Philanthropy
- 5.
- If I Were Bill Gates
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
Comments
The introduction to poetry was awesome. My students loved the use of humor in the Adam Sandler song and were surprised to discover that they know and like poetry.
(The positive aspect of using the lesson was) "Where Do We Find Poetry?" Samples were all items that students of this age group could relate to and they covered a variety of sources.
(The positive aspect of using the lesson was) this lesson was highly motivating! My students absolutely loved Adam Sandlers "Lunchlady Land." They also enjoyed the discussion and examples of poetry and where we find it. Everyone was involved in this discussion.