Time for exam!

Here, I would like to wish all students 'Good Luck!' for your upcoming exam! Do your best! If you have something to ask me, feel free to ask me here or in the class.

Do you have any question about the River, everyone?

Now, it's time to ask any question that you don't understand about the River, everyone! You can post the question here and I'll reply it as soon as I can. Feel free to ask any question!

Lesson plan and Power Point Slides for the River

I received many requests about lesson plans to teach the River from the teachers. Thus, I decided to put up a lesson plan along with the Power Point slides of the lesson plan to teach the poem. However, it is only to start teaching the poem, specifically to introduce the poem to the students.

LEVEL: Form 1

TIME: 35 minutes

AIMS:

1. To train students to listen and read the poem entitled The River by Valerie Blooms.

2. To enable team works while having fun arranging lines.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

One computer per group of 2-3 students with an internet connection and a web browser.

Website:

http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYpngUk85-0&feature=related.

PREPARATIONS:

1. Prepare slides contains a picture of a river and a poem entitled The River by Valerie Blooms.

2. Locate videos dedicated to The River by Valerie Blooms in Youtube.

3. Prepare strips of lines in The River and put them in several envelopes.

PROCEDURES:

1. . Ask students to form into groups consist of 2 or 3 members and give each group A4 paper.
2. Show the students a picture of a river. Ask them what they think about the river and write their opinions in the A4 paper
3. Ask students to browse YouTube and search for poem entitled The River by Valerie Bloom. Instruct them to watch and listen to it carefully.
4. Show them the poem in Power Point and ask them to read it aloud twice.
5. Hand out each group an envelope containing strips of lines in the poem and adhesive. Tell them not to open it until they are told to do so.
6. Start the race! Tell them to rearrange the strips correctly to form the poem. Tell them to secure the strips with the adhesive.
7. Tell students that the fastest group in rearranging the strips in correct arrangement in the shortest time wins.

FOLLOW UP:

1. Ask students to do a task sheet given as a follow-up activity.

H As for the Power Point slides of the lesson plan, you can ask me to e-mail it to you, teachers. Hope this lesson plan can help you to start teaching this poem. Good Luck!

More review exercises for the River

Since the exam is approaching, I decided to add more review exercises for the River. Do not worry! They are easy and simple.

Do you still remember the whole poem, everyone? Let us see whether you remember it all or not. Read the poem below and fill in the blanks with ONE suitable word.

The river’s a __________, a nomad, a tramp.
He doesn't choose any one place to set up his camp.

The river’s a _________, through valley and hill.
He twists and he turns, he just cannot be still.

The river’s a _________ and he buries down deep
Those little treasures that he wants to keep.

The river’s a __________, he gurgles and hums
And sounds like he’s happily sucking his thumbs.

The river’s a _________, as he dances along
The countryside echoes the notes of his song.

The river’s a __________, hungry and vexed
He’s gobbled up trees and he’ll swallow you next.

Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks with ONE suitable word.

The river is given human qualities in the poem. As a wanderer, it ________ (1) from place to place. Sometimes it can be a _________ (2) and has to beg to pay for its expenses. As it does not stay long in the same place, it does not set its __________ (3) anywhere. While flowing, it twists and __________ (4) through hills and valleys. Like any hoarder, it _________ (5) whatever treasures it comes across. It sometimes gurgles like a baby. When it does this, it makes _________ (6) sounds. However, the river can be a _________ (7) too for it _________ (8) people who fall into it.

Another review exercise for the River

Let us do another exercise for the poem, everyone!

Fill in the blanks and you will see how the river has been personified. You can choose the answers below:

hoarder,singer,baby, monster, winder, tramp, wanderer,nomad,

The river’s a …..……, a ……...….., a ………..…..
He doesn't choose any one place to set up his camp.

The river’s a ……….…., through valley and hill.
He twists and he turns, he just cannot be still.

The river’s a ………….… and he buries down deep
Those little treasures that he wants to keep.

The river’s a ……….., he gurgles and hums
And sounds like he’s happily sucking his thumbs.

The river’s a ……….…, as he dances along
The countryside echoes the notes of his song.

The river’s a ……….…., hungry and vexed
He’s gobbled up trees and he’ll swallow you next.

The review exercise for The River

We have learned everything about the River. Let us see how much you understand the poem! Let us have a review exercise on the poem!

Here goes:-

1. How many stanzas are there in ‘The River’?

a) 5

b) 6

c) 7

d) 8

2. Pastoral people who move from place to place in search of food and water are called

a) Campers

b) Nomads

c) Caravan people

d) Vagrants

3. To be ‘vexed’ means to be

a) worried

b) angry

c) irritated

d) haunted

4. What is the most likely reason a river ‘twists and turns’?

a) river waters move in torrents

b) river water moves in currents

c) water moves from left to right

d) it cannot cut through hard rocks

5. To ‘gobbled’ means to

a) eat in slow motion

b) eat noisily and quickly

c) eat slowly in small mouthfuls

d) eat in an easy relaxed manner

6. When water goes down our throats, it may

a) gurgle

b) gargle

c) gobble

d) garble

7. The poet describes ‘The River’ as if it is a

a) monster

b) person

c) baby

d) wanderer

8. An angry river becomes a monster and

a) swallows

b) destroys

c) gobbles

d) crushed

I will see you again for the next exercise!

Elements of the poem

Now, let us find out the elements of the River!

Themes:

1) The river has its moods like a human being.

2) The river represents man and life

• Man can choose to lead a stable life or travel to search for his dreams. During his travels, he collects mementos. Contentment brings happiness and man moves with a light step and heart. However, man may face challenges in life and this can prompt him to be destructive.

Tone and mood:

1) The poem has humorous tone.

2) The poem creates a joyful mood.

Imagery or symbolism:

1) Camp - represents home.

2)Treasures - represents soil, stone and debris floating in the river.

Message or moral values:

1) The river is useful to man.

2) The river can also be dangerous.