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Reading: Comprehension
Acting Out Cliches
Today's Snack: These little improv's (short for "improvisations," or
quick dramatic sketches) remind you of going to the theater. What snack do you
have at the theater? Popcorn, of course! So have a bowl with a glass of your
favorite fruit juice instead of pop.
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Supplies:
Write these clichés on
index cards | Dictionary
Write them on the
board or on a big piece of butcher paper on the wall
Assemble props to go
with any of these if you wish, but not necessary
A great way to practice reading comprehension skills
is to set up little games like this. This is a dramatic improvisation, or
"improv," technique. There are enough clichés listed here to do this activity
several times and not repeat any. You can also add your own, or assign the kids
to collect more.
1.
In advance, write one cliché on each index card and make a stack.
2.
Before students arrive, write the clichés on the board, or on a big
piece of shelf paper or butcher paper and tape in place on the wall.
3.
Set the stack of index cards with these clichés on a table, upside down.
Kids can take turns picking up an improv card, reading it silently, acting out
what it says, letting the other kids guess which cliché he or she is acting out,
and then reading it aloud.
4.
If you have a lot of students, they can play this game in pairs or
teams.
5.
If a student does not recognize or cannot pronounce an unfamiliar word,
model good dictionary skills by showing the kids how to look up words that they
don't know. One of the biggest helps to comprehension is to help kids learn how
to develop their own vocabularies, and dictionary use is Job One in that
effort.
6.
If a student is really stumped, and does not understand what the cliché
means, the leader can read it aloud and lead a quick discussion with the group
on the meaning. In fact, there's a cliché for that - "two heads are better than
one." Then let the student go ahead and act it out. Don't make this a pressure
situation; it's supposed to be fun!
7.
If neither you nor the students understand the meaning of a cliché, or want
to know where it came from, and if you have Internet access, it would be
worthwhile to google explanations for those that the kids don't understand.
8.
If you have time to assemble props to help some of these along, that's
fun, too.
Cliches:
All for one and one for all
All's well that ends well
The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
A fool and his money are soon parted
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Good fences make good neighbors
He who hesitates is lost
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Good fences make good neighbors
He who hesitates is lost
He who laughs last laughs best
Hitch your wagon to a star
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
The leopard can't change its spots
Little strokes fell great oaks
Money is the root of all evil
Necessity is the mother of invention
It's not over 'til it's over
Nothing will come of nothing
Once bitten, twice shy
Procrastination is the thief of time
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
Rome wasn't built in a day
A stitch in time saves nine
Strike while the iron is hot
There's more than one way to skin a cat
Truth is stranger than fiction
Have a bee in your bonnet
Bite the dust
Catch as catch can
Eat humble pie
Give the devil his due
Nose out of joint
On tenterhooks
Pot calling the kettle black
Rule of thumb
Tempest in a teapot
Tenderfoot
Wolf in sheep's clothing