SYLLABLE HAIKU. Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
SYLLABLE HAIKU
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
In the dynamic world of senior high school language teaching, keeping students engaged and motivated is often a thrilling challenge. As educators, we understand that the key to successful learning lies in creating an atmosphere where students are not just participants but active enthusiasts. Here are some classroom activities designed to ignite the language classroom, bringing energy, excitement, and enthusiasm to senior high school students. From interactive games to creative exercises, we’ll delve into ways to make language learning an enjoyable and enriching experience.
SYLLABLE HAIKU
Target Group: All grades
Difficulty Level: Academic
Activity Objective: Teaching about syllables in English and their application
SYLLABLE HAIKU – Procedure
- Pass out the worksheets. Explain what a syllable is.
- Explain what a haiku is.
- Read through examples of different syllable counts in English. Clap to emphasise each beat. Ask the class for their own examples, if your class is the sharing kind.
- Ask students to demonstrate their understanding of what a syllable is on the worksheet. Walk around and make sure there haven’t been any misunderstandings. Students will get hung up on where one syllable ends and another begins. Explain that this is not something to stress out about as long as the syllable count is correct.
- Ask students to share what they’ve written. If you like, make it a bit of a competition.
- Go over an example of a haiku and then read one in English. Stress that, in English, haikus are frequently not about nature, but about making pithy remarks.
- Ask the students to write their own haiku. If necessary, give them a topic to write about. Have them diagram their haikus by marking out the syllables in each line.
Materials and Preparation
Worksheet explaining the following: syllables and how to count syllables in English (with examples of different words and their syllable counts), what a haiku is, the difference between traditional Japanese haiku and haiku in English, example haiku and space for students to write their own
A haiku is a type of Japanese poem traditionally written about nature. It has 3 lines. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables.
What is a syllable?
Syllables are beats in a word.
Examples:
One syllable words: dog, cat, run, fall, red
Two syllable words: Ja-pan, pa-per, go-ing, see-ing, big-ger
Three syllable words: an-i-mal, pre-sen-ter, si-mi-lar, cre-a-tor, etc.
Please write at least one of the following:
ONE syllable word:
TWO syllable word:
THREE syllable word:
FOUR syllable word:
Bonus: FIVE syllable word
Here is a haiku:
I have nothing to
add, so I am just going
to stare creepily
I-have-no-thing-to (5)
add-so-I-am-just-go-ing (7)
to-stare-creep-i-ly (5)
Suggestions and Advice
When you ask students to demonstrate their understanding of what a syllable is on the worksheet, they will get hung up on where one syllable ends and another begins. Explain that this is not something to stress out about as long as the syllable count is correct. I found it helpful to have
students clap for each syllable as they counted it so that they could literally hear beats of a word.
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
As we conclude this exploration of classroom activities to energize the language class for senior high school, we’ve witnessed how a well-crafted lesson plan can transform a mundane classroom into a vibrant hub of learning and creativity. These activities not only boost language skills but also foster a sense of teamwork, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. By implementing these engaging methods, educators can ensure that their senior high school students are not just fluent in the language, but also passionately engaged in the journey of language acquisition.
So, let’s continue to infuse our classrooms with energy, enthusiasm, and a love for language, empowering our students for a brighter future.
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