3. Model Writing

At this stage, firstly, I often provide the determined structure. Secondly, I ask students to write a poem about anything they want according to the model poem. In such a procedure students can practice or present any grammar point. In this way students grasp and use the grammar structure.

Since every class is different, the teaching procedure can be different. It is not advisable to apply one procedure too strictly. A teacher should adopt the activities according to the needs of the learners. However, it might not be very useful to use poems for young students or for beginners. Instead of poems, using nursery rhymes or songs would be more helpful since they provide more joyful and easier contexts. From pre-intermediate to advanced levels, it is really beneficial to use poems.

Examples

When I teach the subjunctive mood, I use the If-You-Were and If-I-Were Poems. Firstly, I present a poem:

If you were a shining star

And I were your midnight,

I’d let you shine above me,

You’d be my only light.

If you were a scoop of ice cream

And I were an ice cream cone,

I’d put you on my shoulders

And hold you for my own.

If you were a grand piano

And I were a sweet love song,

I’d let your keys tickle and tease

My melody all day long.

If you were the pages of my book

And I were reading you,

I’d read as slow as I could go

So I never would get through.

Secondly, I ask them to read after me twice, and then I teach the new words: cone, tickle, tease.

Thirdly, I ask students to discuss in group and then paraphrase it. This poem is not difficult to understand. I just remind students to pay attention the word: were.

Finally, I analyse the structure of the poem: The If-You-Were and If-I-Were Poems consist of 4 lines (quatrain) and 2 rhymes (lines 2 & 4). Each poem contains 2 comparisons (metaphor), one for the “I” of the poem and one for the “you.” (Charles Ghigna , 2005). Then I ask students to write a If-You-Were and If-I-Were Poem. Instructions: Think of a person you like. Compare that person to some thing (inanimate object). Now compare yourself to some thing associated with the first object.