Mastering Idiomatic Expressions in English Grammar

LESSON PLAN

Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 13-14 years
Topic: Idiomatic Expressions
Sub-topic: Understanding and Using Idiomatic Expressions
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define idiomatic expressions.
2. Understand the figurative meaning behind common idioms.
3. Identify and interpret at least 10 idiomatic expressions.
4. Use idiomatic expressions in sentences.

Key Words:

• Idiom
• Figurative
• Expression
• Literal
• Meaning

Set Induction:

The teacher will ask the students, “Have you ever heard someone say ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’? Do you think it’s really raining animals? What do they mean when they say that?” This will introduce the concept of idiomatic expressions.

Entry Behaviour:

Students are already familiar with phrases and sentence structures from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Flashcards with idiomatic expressions
• Chart showing common idioms and their meanings

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have previously learned about figurative language such as similes and metaphors. This lesson builds on that knowledge by exploring idioms, which are also figurative expressions.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Creativity

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for English
• “Mastering English Idioms” by XYZ Author

Instructional Materials:

• Chart displaying 20 common idiomatic expressions and their meanings
• Flashcards with idiomatic expressions for class activities

Content:

Definition of Idiomatic Expressions
An idiomatic expression (or idiom) is a phrase or group of words with a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. In other words, idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say. Their meaning is understood by native speakers and can be difficult for non-native speakers to grasp without explanation.

Examples of Idiomatic Expressions:

• Kick the bucket – To die.
• Spill the beans – To reveal a secret.
• Hold your tongue – To stop yourself from speaking.

20 Common Idiomatic Expressions and Their Meanings:

1. Tickled pink – Made very happy.
2. Hands down – There was no competition.
3. Down in the dumps – Feeling sad or depressed.
4. Sick as a dog – Very sick.
5. Under the weather – Not feeling well.
6. Rise and shine – Wake up and be happy.
7. Close, but no cigar – You were close, but did not succeed.
8. Till the cows come home – For a very long time.
9. Raining cats and dogs – It is raining very heavily.
10. Driving me up the wall – Making me very annoyed.
11. A piece of cake – Very easy.
12. A slap on the wrist – A mild punishment.
13. Costs an arm and a leg – Extremely expensive.
14. Pulling your leg – Joking or teasing.
15. It’s Greek to me – I don’t understand.
16. Keep your chin up – Stay positive and happy.
17. Hold your horses – Be patient.
18. In the same boat – We are all facing the same situation.
19. Loose cannon – Unpredictable.
20. When pigs fly – Something that will never happen.

Evaluation:

Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct idiomatic expression:

1. I don’t understand the homework, it’s _______.
   a) Greek to me b) a piece of cake c) under the weather
2. That concert was so expensive, it cost _______.
   a) an arm and a leg b) a slap on the wrist c) the cows come home
3. The loud music is _______!
   a) driving me up the wall b) sick as a dog c) pulling my leg
4. After winning the prize, she was _______.
   a) tickled pink b) down in the dumps c) raining cats and dogs
5. Let’s be patient, _______.
   a) hold your horses b) costs an arm and a leg c) rise and shine

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs):

1. What is an idiom?
   An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning.
2. Why do we use idioms?
   Idioms make language more colorful and expressive.
3. What does ‘spill the beans’ mean?
   It means to reveal a secret.
4. Can you use idioms in formal writing?
   Idioms are usually used in informal conversations but may appear in creative writing.
5. What does ‘cost an arm and a leg’ mean?
   It means something is very expensive.
6. How do idioms differ from regular phrases?
   Idioms have a figurative meaning, while regular phrases have a literal meaning.
7. What does ‘raining cats and dogs’ mean?
   It means it is raining very heavily.
8. What does ‘keep your chin up’ mean?
   It means to stay positive in difficult situations.
9. Why can idioms be hard for non-native speakers?
   The figurative meaning can be hard to understand without context.
10. Give an example of an idiomatic expression for happiness.
    “Tickled pink.”
11. What does ‘under the weather’ mean?
    It means to feel unwell.
12. Can you explain the idiom ‘hold your horses’?
    It means to be patient.
13. What is the meaning of ‘loose cannon’?
    It refers to someone who is unpredictable.
14. How can idioms make writing more interesting?
    They add creativity and variety to language.
15. What does the idiom ‘when pigs fly’ mean?
    It means something that will never happen.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous lesson on figurative language (similes and metaphors).
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic on idiomatic expressions, explaining that idioms have hidden meanings different from their literal words.
Step 3: The teacher presents 20 common idiomatic expressions and explains their meanings, encouraging students to guess the meanings of some idioms.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the meaning and importance of idiomatic expressions.
• Provide examples of idiomatic expressions and their meanings.
• Guide students in identifying idioms in sentences.
• Provide correction and explanation where needed.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen to the teacher’s explanations.
• Identify idioms in sample sentences.
• Use idiomatic expressions in their own sentences.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their ability to define idiomatic expressions and use them correctly in sentences.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is an idiom?
2. Give two examples of idiomatic expressions and their meanings.
3. What does the idiom “hold your tongue” mean?
4. How can idioms make language more colorful?
5. What does the idiom “piece of cake” mean?
6. Give an example of an idiom that means someone is very happy.
7. Why are idioms difficult for non-native speakers to understand?
8. What does “spill the beans” mean?
9. How can idioms be used in conversation?
10. What does the idiom “raining cats and dogs” mean?

Conclusion:

The teacher goes round to review students’ work and provides further explanations where necessary.