Below is a new lesson focusing on noun clauses developed around the idea of forgiveness. A printable version can be viewed here.
Lesson Title: A Story of Forgiveness
Context: This lesson could be used with high intermediate to low advanced students. The video might pose some difficulty for learners with weak listening skills as it contains a large amount of reduced forms/blended speech.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
· identify noun clauses.
· create phrases that introduce noun clauses.
· create noun clauses.
· describe their attitudes about forgiveness.
Materials:
· Computer/projector or Smartboard
· Internet connection
· Whiteboard
· Markers
· Eraser
· Ball
· Worksheet (See Appendix B)
Activities:
Day 1 Homework
Have students study the noun clause Slideshare presentation and read the Wikihow article on forgiveness. They should also watch the Vimeo video “Forgiveness.” After (or while) reviewing these materials, students should complete the Google form (see Appendix A). The homework here is fairly extensive. I would suggest giving this over a weekend or other extended break.
Note: The homework questions could also be given as a worksheet.
Day 2
· Review homework and address questions relating to noun clauses. Elicit more examples.
· Distribute worksheet (See Appendix B).
· Watch “Forgiveness” video.
· Have students complete the worksheet. It might be necessary to pause the video depending on students’ levels. Some students might recall the answers from the homework, but it is likely that most of them will have forgotten.
· Have students review their answers in groups as teacher circulates.
· Play ball toss game as a whole class.
o Ball Toss Game
Teacher: “I know that…” (tosses the ball to Student 1)
Student 1: “I know that I was late.” (tosses the ball to Student 2)
Student 2: “I know that you are from Brazil.” (tosses the ball to Student 3)
Student 3: “I know that you are hungry.” (tosses the ball to Student 4)
Repeat using new prompts. Modify by having students create prompts or making
other modifications (e.g. noun clause as a subject, noun clause as the object of a preposition).
· Write the steps of forgiveness (as stated in the Wikihow article) on the board. Have students discuss the
conversation questions in their groups (See Appendix B).
· Homework: Writing assignment descripted on the worksheet (See Appendix B).
References
How to forgive. (n.d.). In Wikihow. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from
http://www.wikihow.com/Forgive
Hunt, B. 2012, July 4. Forgiveness [Video file]. Retrieved from:
http://vimeo.com/45208503
Suguitao, R. (2014) Noun clause functions [Slideshare Presentation]/ Retrieved from:
http://www.slideshare.net/rrs101685/noun-clause-functions
Appendix A: Google Form
Lesson Title: A Story of Forgiveness
Context: This lesson could be used with high intermediate to low advanced students. The video might pose some difficulty for learners with weak listening skills as it contains a large amount of reduced forms/blended speech.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
· identify noun clauses.
· create phrases that introduce noun clauses.
· create noun clauses.
· describe their attitudes about forgiveness.
Materials:
· Computer/projector or Smartboard
· Internet connection
· Whiteboard
· Markers
· Eraser
· Ball
· Worksheet (See Appendix B)
Activities:
Day 1 Homework
Have students study the noun clause Slideshare presentation and read the Wikihow article on forgiveness. They should also watch the Vimeo video “Forgiveness.” After (or while) reviewing these materials, students should complete the Google form (see Appendix A). The homework here is fairly extensive. I would suggest giving this over a weekend or other extended break.
Note: The homework questions could also be given as a worksheet.
Day 2
· Review homework and address questions relating to noun clauses. Elicit more examples.
· Distribute worksheet (See Appendix B).
· Watch “Forgiveness” video.
· Have students complete the worksheet. It might be necessary to pause the video depending on students’ levels. Some students might recall the answers from the homework, but it is likely that most of them will have forgotten.
· Have students review their answers in groups as teacher circulates.
· Play ball toss game as a whole class.
o Ball Toss Game
Teacher: “I know that…” (tosses the ball to Student 1)
Student 1: “I know that I was late.” (tosses the ball to Student 2)
Student 2: “I know that you are from Brazil.” (tosses the ball to Student 3)
Student 3: “I know that you are hungry.” (tosses the ball to Student 4)
Repeat using new prompts. Modify by having students create prompts or making
other modifications (e.g. noun clause as a subject, noun clause as the object of a preposition).
· Write the steps of forgiveness (as stated in the Wikihow article) on the board. Have students discuss the
conversation questions in their groups (See Appendix B).
· Homework: Writing assignment descripted on the worksheet (See Appendix B).
References
How to forgive. (n.d.). In Wikihow. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from
http://www.wikihow.com/Forgive
Hunt, B. 2012, July 4. Forgiveness [Video file]. Retrieved from:
http://vimeo.com/45208503
Suguitao, R. (2014) Noun clause functions [Slideshare Presentation]/ Retrieved from:
http://www.slideshare.net/rrs101685/noun-clause-functions
Appendix A: Google Form
Appendix B: Forgiveness Lesson Handout
Task 1: Matching
Match each sentence to its corresponding noun clause.
Task 1: Matching
Match each sentence to its corresponding noun clause.
1. I knew ______________________. 2. I was convinced ______________________. 3. One of the most challenging things was finding out ______________________. 4. When they found out ______________________, a huge cover-up began. 5. I was left wondering ______________________. | a. what was going on b. that I was going to die c. I wasn’t going to make it out that night d. that the folks I was assaulted by were two undercover police officers e. that I trained police officers and I was very involved in the community |
Task 2: Discussion
1. Which of the steps to forgiveness described in the Wikihow article do you think Orlando followed?
2. What did you think of the Wikihow article? Do you agree with all the steps? Are there any you would add or take away?
3. Orlando suggests using forgiveness as a “lens” that we look through when people hurt us. What do you think that means?
4. Orlando says that his experience gave him a new perspective, making him a better person. Do you agree that this is always possible?
5. A proverb exists which states that not forgiving is like drinking poison and waiting for another person to die. What do you think that means? Do you agree?
6. Describe your own culture’s attitudes towards forgiveness? What needs to happen in order for forgiveness to occur?
Task 3: Writing (Use at least 3 noun clauses)
Describe an experience where you forgave, or were forgiven by another person. What happened?
or
Do you think it is always important to forgive, or are some things unforgiveable?
Appendix C: Answer Key for Google Form Questions
Task 1: This is the correct order of events:
1. Orlando started playing football.
2. Orlando signed a contract to play football.
3. Someone asked him if he had any drugs.
4. Some men attacked Orlando.
5. A cover-up began.
6. Orlando was charged with assaulting a police officer and possession of a controlled substance.
7. Orlando spent years in court fighting the charges.
8. The arresting officer was arrested.
9. Orlando was offered a deal, where the charges would be dropped and he could go home.
10. Orlando turned down the deal.
11. Orlando was found to be innocent.
12. Orlando wrote a letter to the men who assaulted him, thanking them.
Task 2: The noun clauses are in bold:
1. I knew I wasn’t going to make it out that night.
2. I was convinced that I was going to die.
3. One of the most challenging things was finding out that the folks I was assaulted by were two undercover police officers. (Notice that “finding” would be a tempting choice, but actually serves as a gerund phrase.)
4. When they found out that I trained police officers and I was very involved in the community, a huge cover-up began.
5. I was left wondering what was going on.
Task 3: The steps are below:
1. Realize that the hate you feel toward your adversary does not harm him or her in the way that you want.
2. Understand that the best revenge against your enemies is to live a successful and happy life.
3. Realize that the second best revenge is to turn the evil into something good, to find the proverbial silver lining in the dark cloud.
4. Make a list of the good things that emerged as a result of this awful experience.
5. Look for the helpers.
6. Be compassionate with yourself.
7. Learn that the Aramaic word for "forgive" means literally to "untie."
8. Learn how to balance trust with wisdom.
9. Stop telling "the story."
10. Tell "the story" from the other person's perspective.
11. Retrain your thinking.
12. Maintain perspective.
1. Which of the steps to forgiveness described in the Wikihow article do you think Orlando followed?
2. What did you think of the Wikihow article? Do you agree with all the steps? Are there any you would add or take away?
3. Orlando suggests using forgiveness as a “lens” that we look through when people hurt us. What do you think that means?
4. Orlando says that his experience gave him a new perspective, making him a better person. Do you agree that this is always possible?
5. A proverb exists which states that not forgiving is like drinking poison and waiting for another person to die. What do you think that means? Do you agree?
6. Describe your own culture’s attitudes towards forgiveness? What needs to happen in order for forgiveness to occur?
Task 3: Writing (Use at least 3 noun clauses)
Describe an experience where you forgave, or were forgiven by another person. What happened?
or
Do you think it is always important to forgive, or are some things unforgiveable?
Appendix C: Answer Key for Google Form Questions
Task 1: This is the correct order of events:
1. Orlando started playing football.
2. Orlando signed a contract to play football.
3. Someone asked him if he had any drugs.
4. Some men attacked Orlando.
5. A cover-up began.
6. Orlando was charged with assaulting a police officer and possession of a controlled substance.
7. Orlando spent years in court fighting the charges.
8. The arresting officer was arrested.
9. Orlando was offered a deal, where the charges would be dropped and he could go home.
10. Orlando turned down the deal.
11. Orlando was found to be innocent.
12. Orlando wrote a letter to the men who assaulted him, thanking them.
Task 2: The noun clauses are in bold:
1. I knew I wasn’t going to make it out that night.
2. I was convinced that I was going to die.
3. One of the most challenging things was finding out that the folks I was assaulted by were two undercover police officers. (Notice that “finding” would be a tempting choice, but actually serves as a gerund phrase.)
4. When they found out that I trained police officers and I was very involved in the community, a huge cover-up began.
5. I was left wondering what was going on.
Task 3: The steps are below:
1. Realize that the hate you feel toward your adversary does not harm him or her in the way that you want.
2. Understand that the best revenge against your enemies is to live a successful and happy life.
3. Realize that the second best revenge is to turn the evil into something good, to find the proverbial silver lining in the dark cloud.
4. Make a list of the good things that emerged as a result of this awful experience.
5. Look for the helpers.
6. Be compassionate with yourself.
7. Learn that the Aramaic word for "forgive" means literally to "untie."
8. Learn how to balance trust with wisdom.
9. Stop telling "the story."
10. Tell "the story" from the other person's perspective.
11. Retrain your thinking.
12. Maintain perspective.