L A W

Are there universal laws?

 

1. WORKSHEET: Ideas are tricky to convey in a second language class! Illustrations can be more powerful than words–especially in the realm of ideas! Print a “cartoon” worksheet for each student to fill in and keep.

 

2. ANALOGY: An analogy is a comparison between two things. Analogies are often used in humor, poetry, and metaphors. They are word puzzles that train students to analyze relationships, build vocabulary, and increase their creativity. Analogies are an exercise in inductive reasoning. Many qualifying examinations include analogies.

DEFINITIONS

Absolute – something that is fixed. It does not change.

Arbitrary – things can change based on the whim or preferences or opinion of people.

A. COMPETITION: Devise a competition to solve the analogies. Try pairs and teams. Award points or privileges!

Absolute is to changing as wet is to (dry, high, bye).

Arbitrary is to fixed as hot is to (bold, cold, sold).

Absolute is to arbitrary as dark is to (right, fight, light).

What is the relationship between the pairs of words in these analogies? ANSWER: Opposites.

OPPOSITES EXERCISE: Demonstrate how to play. The teacher says a word and everyone yells out the opposite. Always (never); king (queen); ask (answer); black (white); wise (foolish).

Now–give students a chance to think of a word, say it to the class, and the class must call out the opposite. Play briskly!

 

B. COMPOSITION: Explain how analogies are constructed. Let students compose analogies to pose to the class! A higher order skill is to compose one that pertains to the lesson topic.

 

3. ETYMOLOGY: The Greek word “etymos” means real/true and “logos” means word.

Etymology is the branch of linguistics which is the history and derivation of words.

A. Latin Root Word: “uni” means one.

B. Universal means something true and relevant at all times and in all situations.

C. Words derived from “uni” are united, unique, uniform, unicycle, university, universe, universal, union, unison, unify, unilateral, and unanimous.

Example: The laws of physics are universal.

DICTATION: Many English words are derived from Greek/Latin root words.

1. Select 3-4 words with the prefix “uni” that are appropriate for your class. Write a sentence to dictate MINUS THE WORD! Have the class work in teams to guess which word fits. First team finished and correctly matching the words with the sentences wins!

2. Pronounce each sentence and have the students repeat. Briefly discuss what each sentence means.

 

4. QUOTE: “Treat others the same way you wish them to treat you.”

Ask the class to guess the meaning. Ask how the quote relates to the ideas in the lesson. Last–ask if they have a similar quotes in their own language! Do they think this is a universal idea?

 

5. DRAW & TALK

Before class, listen to the podcast. Illustrate the law ideas on the board or big sheets of paper. Instruct the class to draw the law ideas on their worksheets. Have the class find famous locations on a world map. Be creative! Bring objects to demonstrate the ideas!

 

30SEC SPEECHES: Impromptu speeches are a chance to use reason and imagination. Students have 30 seconds to present their ideas on the issues. There are a series of three Impromptu Speeches–one for each kind of law.

A. Students line up in two lines. Turn and face one another. Slide about to face a partner.

B. Designate one the North Line and the other the South Line–or Line “A” and Line “B.”

C. Announce the first topic. Give class 1MIN to collect their thoughts.

D. At your instruction, everyone in the North facing line deliver their 30SEC speech to their partner. Then rotate! ONLY ONE LINE ROTATES. First person in ONE line turn and walk to the opposite end of the line. All slide one space to face new partner.

E. Next the partners in the opposite line deliver their 30SEC impromptu speech.

F. Rotate again so new partners face one another.

G. Announce the second speech topic–and begin. Rotate again and so on.

H. Follow this pattern for all impromptu speeches in the lesson.

CREATION AND CONSCIENCE: IMPROMPTU SPEECHES

1. I think watermelons would look better with polka-dots. 30SEC.

2. Life is not always fair. 30SEC.

3. It is not easy to ignore your conscience. 30SEC.

BABYLON: IMPROMPTU SPEECHES

1. “An eye for an eye.” 30SEC.

2. People are happy if they have written laws to obey. 30SEC.

3. Laws should apply equally to everyone. 30SEC.

EGYPT: IMPROMPTU SPEECHES

1. Ancient laws do not apply today. 30SEC.

2. Thinking about doing wrong is the same as doing wrong. 30SEC.

3. Lying is more tempting than stealing. 30SEC.

COMPREHENSION CHECK: Erase the board or take down the big pieces of paper and sit on the worksheets! Have the class re-create the three boxes that illustrate law.

 

6. 1 LINE LAWS: Use reason and imagination to apply ideas in the lesson.

A. Give small groups 5MIN to write 5 new 1 Line Laws. The new 1 Line Laws may be any kind, any category, any issue–but they must be universal! For example:

Technology: No one may send more than 13 text messages per hour.

B. Give each group 3-4MIN to explain their 5 new 1 Line Laws and the consequences for breaking the law. Example: Those who break this law must give away their cell phone!