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Languages
and Images of Peace
Subject
Area
This activity
is suitable for any area of the Secondary English curriculum in
which communications issues are considered. It covers issues relating
to reading, writing and vocabulary skills. This activity can be
used in the Intermediate classroom as part of an introduction
to the study of poetry, or the controlled use of vocabulary. In
senior levels, it can introduce a creative writing unit, or serve
as a review of textual analysis and vocabulary skills prior to
a unit.
Learning
Outcomes
Teaching,
learning and evaluation will focus on the student’s ability
to:
- Explore
words and ideas which encourage reflective thinking and communicate
the message of peace;
- Extend
their language skills through vocabulary development;
- Discover
that focusing on positive language and images can expand our
thinking processes.
Classroom
Development
Have students
consider and complete the “Language and Images of Peace”
student handout.
Timing
Allow two
periods for the completion of this activity
Individually or working with a partner, complete the following
reading and writing activities.
The Sleeper Of The Valley
There’s a green hollow where a river sings
Silvering the torn grass in its glittering flight,
And where the sun from the proud mountain flings
Fire—and the little valley brims with light.
A soldier young, with open mouth, bare head,
Sleeps with his neck in dewy watercress,
Under the sky and on the grass his bed,
Pale in the deep green and the light’s excess.
He sleeps amid the iris, and his smile
Is like a sick child’s slumbering for a while.
Nature, in thy warm lap his chilled limbs hide!
The perfume does not thrill him from his rest.
He sleeps in sunshine, hand upon his breast,
Tranquil—with two red holes in his right side.
Arthur Rimbaud
Questions
- What
suggestions are given that this peaceful “sleeper”
is a casualty of war?
- How do
certain details of the setting reflect the youth, innocence,
and high hopes of the soldier?
- By placing
the dead soldier in a glowing and serene setting, do you think
the author conveys the idea that death in war is glorious and
honorable?
- How is
irony used effectively in this poem?
Words
That Bring Peace
Each of
the following words could be used when referring to an agreement
between parties. Using a dictionary to distinguish shades of meaning,
write sentences, using each word in a different context.
(i) association, league, alliance, coalition, confederation, bond
(ii) negotiation, compromise, settlement, contract, past, charter,
code, covenant
Distinguish
between:
(i) affection
and compassion
(ii) sympathy and charity
(iii) love and infatuation
(iv) respect and admiration
Arguing
About Peace
Write a
short essay (three to five paragraphs) developing and supporting
a thesis on one of the following topics.
(i) Pacifists are usually cowards
(ii) By deep-rooted instinct, man is a fighter and a maker of
weapons. He cannot be changed.
(iii) To get along with people one must conform to their ways.
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