Song

Lesson Plan 1 for Candle Artist : Students’ Level : Time : Language Focus : Instructional Media : Steps: ☺ in the Wind Sir Elton John Intermediate to Advanced One Hour Simple Past Tense, Wh Questions Cassette / CD Player, Worksheets, by Naginder Kaur Initiate discussion on celebrities of the world- past and present. Get students to talk about their idols – who, why, what, where, which, when, how etc. Introduce the legend, Marilyn Monroe. Briefly, talk about her biography, i.e. achievements, life span, habits, etc. Do not give too many details as it may impact on students’ effort in doing Worksheet 2. ☺ Introduce the song, a brief discussion of the theme and vocabulary items. Before students begin listening to the song, revise Simple Past Tense – the form (regular verb & irregular verb), functions etc. ☺ ♫ Distribute Worksheet 1. Explain instructions. Students listen to the song (twice, at least) and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the Verbs in Worksheet 1. Discuss the answers and correct students’ errors. Students listen to the song twice (with an interval) and complete Worksheet 1. ☺ Lead discussion into the values / theme and other salient points in the song. Encourage students to express opinions. Distribute Worksheet 2. Explain instructions. Students can work individually / in pairs to complete Worksheet 2. Allow enough time to complete the worksheet. ☺ ♫ Discuss possible options. Turn on the song again (and again) and sing along with the students. Follow-up: Scrap Book: Title: My Idol. Students can be given about a week to collect more information on Marilyn Monroe, e.g. pictures from the newspaper, magazines, the Internet etc. They need to collect enough data to write a short biography of her, with pictures from the newspaper, magazines, the Internet etc. Alternatively, they could choose another idol / celebrity whom they admire. For example, a modified version of the song has also been sung in tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The same assignment applies, regardless of students’ choice of idol. Variation:Elementary: For very weak student, the complete song may be given and students asked to underline all the verbs in the Simple Past Tense. WORKSHEET 1 As you listen to the song Candle in the Wind, fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in the Simple Past Tense. Candle In The Wind by Sir Elton John Good bye Norma Jean, Though I never __________ you at all, You __________ the grace to hold yourself While those around you __________, They __________ of the woodwork, And they __________ into your brain, They __________ you on the treadmill And they __________ you change your name. And it seems to me you __________ your life Like a candle in the wind, Never knowing who to cling to When the rain __________. And I would have liked to Have known you But I __________ just a kid. Your candle __________ long before Your legend ever __________. Loneliness __________ tough, The toughest role you ever __________. Hollywood __________ a superstar And pain __________ the price you __________. Even when you __________ The press still __________ you. All the papers had to say __________ that Marilyn __________ in the nude. Good bye Norma Jean, Though I never __________ you at all You __________ the grace to hold yourself While those around you __________. Good bye Norma Jean, From the young man in the 22 nd row Who sees you as something more than sexual More than just our Marilyn Monroe. WORKSHEET 2 1. Answer whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F), based on the song. a. Norma Jean was Marilyn Monroe’s sister. b. Marilyn knew who to depend on when she was in trouble. c. The media gave her death a lot of publicity. d. The singer and Marilyn were friends. ( ( ( ( ) ) ) ) 2. Explain the meaning of these expressions, as used in the song. a. Set you on the treadmill (in verse 1): b. the rain set in (in Chorus): c. the young man in the 22 nd _____________________ _____________________ row: _____________________ ______________________ d. the press still hounded you: 3. Who do you think they (Verse 1), refers to? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 4. What did ‘they’ (Verse 1) make her do? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ What was Marilyn’s biggest problem, according to the singer? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 5. 6. The singer uses the metaphor of Candle in the Wind to describe the life of Marilyn Monroe. Explain the metaphor in your own words. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ According to the song, was Marilyn’s life a happy one? Support your answer with expressions from the song. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 7. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 8. At the time of her death, was she with someone or was she alone? Which expression tells you that? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ BRAVO!