Activity 1A: Ageless Idioms Extension: Idioms on the Internet Topic: Language Idioms & Spreadsheets/Statistics Part of: Unit: Embracing Diversity Lesson: Ageless Idioms

Individual Downloads

None

Keywords

idiom, culture, idiomatic language, stereotype, age

Search Curricular Keywords

Activity Description

Explain to the students the definition of an idiom. Give the students examples of idioms, such as: “between a rock and a hard place,” “dry as a bone,” “making a mountain out of a molehill,” or “caught red-handed.” Solicit discussion from the class as to what they think these idioms might mean and how the expressions may have evolved. Next ask the class to give examples of idioms that they know in English or from other languages.

Next, ask the students to give examples of idioms related to growing older and aging. Examples of these “ageless idioms” include:

1. “Never look a gift horse in the mouth”
2. “Long in the tooth”
3. “Over the hill”
4. “No spring chicken”
5. “Old and in the way”
6. “Snow on the rooftop but fire in the basement”

Have the students explain the ageless idiom and write a brief dialogue using the idiom appropriately.

Extension Activity

Idioms on the Internet:

Toon in to Idioms - Toons and Voices or Text. Idioms illustrated with cartoons.
http://www.elfs.com/2nInX-Title.html

The Idiom Connection http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/6720/

top