Language Arts

Thematic Units, Day 4

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

              Figurative language came to life through my ninth-grade teacher’s six-week unit. We dove into a variety of literature and searched for each of the types: simile, personification (my favorite), metaphor, idiom, alliteration, onomatopoeia, symbolism, allegory, hyperbole, irony, and oxymoron. My six weeks of study was magical.

              Once we learned about each of the types, then we were immersed into them across multiple literary genres. But my favorite part was creating my own examples of figurative language. Sometimes we worked in small groups or with a partner and other times we completed the assignment alone. But what I remember is the excitement I felt during this unit.

              Another unit I recall with familiarity is from my college speech class. Our professor was an adjunct from another college, filling in for the year, but her lessons never left me. She taught us about each of the different types of public speaking and then we had to perform or create something in that style. We created news reports, informational speeches, and persuasive arguments. But the one that stuck with me the longest was free interpretation and recitation of a prewritten piece of literature.

              I sought permission to recite Joel 2. The bible is considered literature, so I wanted to bring a bit of scripture into my secular college. I rehearsed all week until I memorized the entire section and volunteered to go first in class. I started off strong, convinced I would make an impact through the recitation. Three lines in my professor stopped me and told me I wasn’t believable, that there was no way a person would ever quote that scripture at that level. My confidence was wounded and she kept poking, trying to provoke me to anger.

              Well, it worked. She had me start over, in front of the class four more times. After the fourth time of her telling me to show more confidence, in my anger I shouted, “BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION.”

              My professor grinned, folded her arms, and leaned back in her chair. “Now that is more like it. Please continue at that voice level.”

              My anger subsided and I understood the assignment. My professor wasn’t being mean, she was trying to teach me how to exert myself with authority and confidence; she wanted me to become the best speaker possible and the only way I would understand was to be pushed in the moment.

              Both of the units, the one my English teacher engaged me in, and the immersive speech lesson that concluded a unit, changed me for a lifetime. These teachers taught me to tap into my love for words and learning and to be confident in the presence of others—both skills that propel me forward each day. How can we have this type of influence on our students? What thematic units in language arts classes can change a student’s direction for a lifetime?

Do the Heart Work

1.      Who were the English teachers who taught lessons that never left you? What were the lessons about?

2.      What power do teachers have in a language arts classroom that could be utilized more effectively??

3.      Are you confident in the words contained in scripture? In what ways are you sharing those words with others?

Digging Deeper

The bible is filled with examples of literary prose. These are just a few.

1.      “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” Job:7-12 (NIV)

2.      The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. Proverbs 16:23-26 (NIV)

If You Get Spare Time

              Reading literature from a wide range of writers is inspiring. Even if we don’t understand, relate, or connect we can learn much about people by their writing. The literary world is limitless with the number of amazing writers and personalities. Creating literary units on time periods, writing genres, or themes can be not only fun, but life changing for our students. How can you branch out in this area in your classroom?