Teaching Sequence for "Living Values"

Pre task: The teacher distributes comic strips by Schulz and Glasbergen for the students to discuss and recognize values and lack of values in them. After activating key concepts and providing the sts with the necessary vocabulary, the poem is read.

Core task: The students read (as they volunteer) a stanza each and deal with the following questions:

1. Pay attention to the way it is structured. The author employs the resource of "repetition". How many times does he repeat each value? Why do you think so?
2. Do you think the order in which he places them has any importance with respect to his priorities in life?
3. The register of the poem is formal. However, he uses some very informal expressions. Which are they? Why do you believe he does so?

Follow up: Now it is your turn to write! Don't worry if it doesn't rhyme! You could follow this pattern: 2, 3, 4, 3, 2. The figures represent the number of times each value should be repeated, and the value in the middle should be the one you consider essential in your life.

"Living Values" by Raymond A. Fernando (2002)

PEACE which makes the world a safe and happy place
PEACE that unites people of any race

RESPECT that shows consideration for one another
RESPECT in which we put into practice the saying,
“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”

LOVE in which it is better to give than to receive
LOVE valued as sacred and to our spouses, we should not deceive
LOVE in which in a couple bonded in marriage
Must go together like a horse and carriage

TOLERANCE which finds us accepting failure
TOLERANCE which allows us to venture into the unknown without fear
TOLERANCE for each others religion, race, language or culture

HAPPINESS is seeing a child being born
HAPPINESS is when the negative feelings and thoughts in our lives are gone
HAPPINESS is waking up in the morning to welcome a brand new day
HAPPINESS is when we kneel down as a family and pray

RESPONSIBILITY is ensuring that our children become decent members of society
RESPONSIBILITY is nurturing our children to show respect and filial piety
RESPONSIBILITY is fulfilling our everyday tasks
RESPONSIBILITY is making sure that healthy relations continue to last

COOPERATION that enables co-workers to work as a team
COOPERATION that enables to fulfill our dreams

HONESTY in which temptation does not get the better of us
HONESTY in which your integrity must come first

HUMILITY in victory, in success
HUMILITY even though you may be the best

SIMPLICITY in the little things we say and do
SIMPLICITY that allows us to be understandable and true

FREEDOM that facilitates free expression and thought
FREEDOM through diplomacy, rather than violence, is better sought

UNITY that bonds all mankind
UNITY that we must all work towards and never decline

12 living values that we must all know
12 living values to inculcate in our children as we watch them grow
12 living values that will make the world a better place to live in
12 living values, it’s cool!
Wouldn’t you make it the” In-Thing”?

Sincerely,

Raymond Anthony Fernando
.copyrightraymondfernando2002 

You can find this poem and others at:

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?id=31730