Compliments and Similes

Today the second graders talked about a type of comparison called a simile.

Then, they gave each other compliments using similes. Here are some examples of compliments, from class 2-1:

"His height is as tall as a mountain."

"Your body is as thin as paper."

"Your eyes are as black as seaweed."

"Jessica's head is as small as a bird."

"Seewon studies like a machine."

"Laura is as cute as a puppy"

"His head runs like a computer."

"His tooth shines like a star."

And from class 2-2:

"Charlie's brain is as smart as a computer"

"Charlie's brain flows like a river."

"Dean looks like a lion."

"Kim Tae Hi looks like an angel."

"Ethan's eye is as big as a frog's."

"Ethan's muscle moves like a machine."

"Dong Won is as tall as a tree."

"No Air" by Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown

Today, first grade students watched the video for "No Air," a duet between Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.

"No Air" uses metaphors and similes to talk about how difficult it is to be apart from someone you love.

Definitions:

A metaphor is a way of describing something by comparing it with something else that has some of the same qualities.

• Example: He is so tall! He's a giant.

A simile is a phrase that compares two things, using the words "like" or "as."

• Example: The test room was as silent as a graveyard.

You can watch the video for "No Air" again on Youtube here.

Happy Chuseok

Happy Chuseok 2010!

Enjoy your free time! Play with your family and friends, rest, and enjoy. See you next week :)

Music Monday: "Just the Way You Are" and Compliments

Today, first grade students talked about compliments.
We listened to Bruno Mars' song "Just the Way You Are." In this song, Bruno gives his girlfriend compliments. He thinks she is beautiful, smart, and has a sexy laugh. But she is not confident, and she rejects his compliments. He is disappointed because she does not accept his compliments.

Korean people and American people use compliments differently.

In Korean culture, it is very common to reject a compliment, like this:

Girl 1: You look pretty with your hair up like that.
Girl 2: No, I don't. I look like an old woman.

But in American culture, it is less common. Americans use compliments

Instead, Americans often return a compliment, like this:

Girl 1: You look pretty with your hair up like that.
Girl 2: Thanks. Your hair looks great, too.

Americans also often respond by adding information to help continue the conversation, like this:

Girl 1: You look pretty with your hair up like that.
Girl 2: Thanks. I got it cut at a new place near my apartment. They're great - would you like to come with me next time?

Americans often use compliments to begin conversation or build friendship.

To learn more about comparing Korean and American compliment styles, look at the article outside the English classroom. It reviews scientific studies on Korean and American compliments.

To watch Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" video again, click here.

Reviews of "Mine"

Today, we read excerpts (pieces) of reviews of Taylor Swift's song "Mine."
Then, we wrote our own reviews.

Each student wrote a short review saying his or her opinion, and also chose a review to agree or disagree with.
There are 4 review excerpts. Each pair of students chose 2 to read and 1 to agree/disagree with in their review.

Click "Read more" to see the example reviews from class:

Music Monday: Taylor Swift "Mine"

This week, students listened to Taylor Swift's new song, "Mine."
In it, Taylor Swift imagines what her life will be like in the future. She imagines that she is happily married with children and looking at the past. She imagines that when life is difficult, they will sit together and remember the happy history of their love together.

Here is a picture from the video, of Taylor Swift's imagined husband and son:



After listening to the song and discussing the video, we talked about some new vocabulary and idioms from the song.

To wait tables (v): to serve food/drinks, to act as a waiter
Rebel (n): a person who acts against authority or does not obey rules
To brace yourself (v): to prepare yourself for something difficult or bad
Flashback (n): A fast, clear memory

Then, students wrote and performed dialogues using at least 2 of the 3 new vocabulary words from the song. They were very funny!