Why Am I Happy

TEACHING INTERACTIVE ENGLISH T.I.E. RHYMES [pair and groupwork] ORIGINAL MATERIAL written by PHYLLIS ODED - file 11 Name: class: date:

WHY AM I HAPPY?

Why am I happy? I’ll tell you why! The sun is shining; not a cloud in the sky. My tests are completed; school’s far away. Time to e-mail some friends or go to a play. Time for some shopping or a walk through the mall. There’s time for ME; there’s time for it all. Why should I be happy? I’ll tell you with a sigh: I’m the teacher --- doesn’t that explain why?

CAN YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW? [Be prepared to justify you answers!]

1. The narrator is obviously: a. derranged b. a student teacher c. paranoid d. someone that needs a new clock 2. The most important thing in the narrator’s life seems to be: a. saving money on stamps b. sitting in the sun c. grading papers d. talking to her psychiatrist. 3. The narrator is clearly used to talking to herself. This can be seen by the words: a. “I’m a teacher…” b. “Why am I happy? I’ll tell you why.” c. “There’s time for ME.” 4. The narrator is happy because: a. actually, she has a drinking problem b. she can go shopping c. she thinks that her work is finished d. she was in the sun too long . 5. The narrator would be a far happier person if she: a. drank less to forget her troubles b. had a pair of sunglasses c. knew how to use a computer d. found something on sale at the mall. 6. In my opinion the best place for this narrator would be: a. a psycho ward [closed] b. a desert island c. a luxurious bubble-bath d. ______[YOU tell her!!!] TEACHING INTERACTIVE ENGLISH T.I.E. RHYMES [pair and groupwork] ORIGINAL MATERIAL written by PHYLLIS ODED - file 11 Name: class: date:

Part One: 1. 1. Who is the speaker here? ______In one ear and out the other!

Don’t you listen to your mother? Copy the words that show this: ______Don’t you pay attention at all or will you wait for ME to call? 2. 2. Who is the speaker speaking to? ______Wake up! Get up! Up! I say. Or you’ll be late to school today. Copy the words that show this: ______Before you leave, put your things away [or all day long this mess will stay!] 3. 3. List three complaints the speaker has: 1. ______You sigh once and then again. ______“I’ll do it, mom; just don’t know when.” ______2. ______4. Where does Part One take place? ______

Part Two: 1. Who is the speaker here? ______Books in my schoolbag, I ran out the door.

Here’s my homework! I don’t want more! Copy the words that show this: ______Got to school before the bell. Lucky for me; no excuses to tell. 2. Who is the speaker speaking to? ______In walked the teacher, and we all could see papers in her hand. What could they be? Copy the words that show this: ______We looked at the teacher and we saw her smile. Suddenly EVERYONE was quiet…………...at least for a while………………. Tear off here: Part Three: As she passed out the papers, we asked, “A test?” full name: “Just checking if you did your homework and all the rest!” “Put your name on the paper. The instructions are on the page. Address: Don’t forget to write your address and your age. Age_____ T TEACHER: PUT NAMES IN GRAB BAG. DRAW OUT 3. BRING PRIZES. WINNERS ONLY IF ALL INFO IS THERE IN ENGLISH. TEACHING INTERACTIVE ENGLISH T.I.E. RHYMES [pair and groupwork] ORIGINAL MATERIAL written by PHYLLIS ODED - file 11 Name: class: date:

FEAR by P..ODED / DECEMBER 2, 2001

A siren and an ambulance follow another loud noise, as a suicide bomber kills more girls and boys. A deafening explosion in the neighborhood mall, maiming and killing, ……………and that isn’t all!

To ride on a bus or to stay at home? Afraid to go out without a cell phone! Afraid ‘cause I don’t know where the next attack’ll be or WHEN it will happen, at noon or at three.

And I look ‘round at the people who stand where I stand. Is that package suspicious? What’s that in his hand? I’m nervous, I’m tense and I’m paranoid, too. I’m afraid for myself and I’m frightened for YOU.

FEAR! I can FEEL it; it’s all around. FEAR! I can HEAR it’s imploding sound. FEAR! Can you BLAME me? Don’t YOU feel it, too? FEAR! All around me ………. and all around you . TEACHING INTERACTIVE ENGLISH T.I.E. RHYMES [pair and groupwork] ORIGINAL MATERIAL written by PHYLLIS ODED - file 11 Name: class: date:

Present tense and opposites: Are you happy? No, I’m ______. Is that movie good? No, it’s ______. Is he short? No, he’s ______. Do you have a toy? No, I have a ______. Is she thin? No, she’s ______. Does she have a dog? No. she has a ______. Is your teacher young? No, she’s ______. Is it hot today? No, it’s ______. Is it early? No, it’s ______. Do you think he should go? No, he should ______.

THEM and US WHEN and WHERE and WHY they say, about my homework every day. Study, copy, learn by heart facts and numbers till they’re part of your brain; but you don’t know why you have to learn them, have to try to memorize lists put in your hand of things you still don’t understand. Now, looking at it from my point of view torturing students is nothing new. If you really want us to learn the stuff, Know when to say ‘enough’s enough’. Make the lessons interesting. Let us speak instead of listening to you all week. Listen to us, to what we have to say not only about your subject, but what’s happened that day.

1. Who are the ‘they” and the ‘you’? ______Explain. ______2. Who is the speaker? ______Explain. ______3. List 3 complaints made by the speaker and give 1 more of your own: a. ______b. ______c. ______d. ______4. List 3 solutions suggested by the speaker and give one more of your own: a. ______b. ______c. ______d. ______5. To sum up: There should be more ______and less ______. There should be fewer ______. 6. Why are the words in the first line in bold type? ______7. How is the speaker taught to study? ______