Introduction
The Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There ESL Lesson Plan introduces students to the whimsical world of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, offering a unique opportunity for English language development. This lesson plan aims to engage students in a fun and interactive exploration of the book’s themes, characters, and vocabulary. Through this lesson, students will not only enhance their language skills but also develop critical thinking and creativity by delving into the imaginative story.
Vocabulary Building
Vocab
Vocab |
Definition |
|---|---|
Jabberwocky |
A piece of playful language or invented words. |
Slithy |
Lithe and slimy. |
Vorpal |
A term used to describe a dangerous weapon in the poem ‘Jabberwocky.’ |
Bandersnatch |
A mythical creature mentioned in the poem ‘Jabberwocky.’ |
Frumious |
A combination of ‘fuming’ and ‘furious’, meaning very angry. |
Contextual Usage
– The poem ‘Jabberwocky’ is filled with playful jabberwockian words that challenge our understanding of language.
– The bandersnatch was said to be lurking near the tulgey wood, waiting for unsuspecting travelers.
– Alice encountered a frumious Jabberwock during her adventures in Underland.
ESL Warm-up Activity
To begin the lesson with an engaging warm-up activity, students can participate in a “Word Wonderland” game. In this activity, the teacher will introduce curious and whimsical words from the story, such as “Jabberwocky,” “slithy,” or “frumious.” Students will take turns creating sentences using these unique terms to familiarize themselves with the language elements of Through the Looking-Glass and set a playful tone for the lesson.
Main ESL Lesson Activities
Vocabulary Activity: Curious Word Definitions
Prepare a set of word cards with unique terms from the story. Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a set of word cards. Instruct them to create definitions for the words based on how they are used in Through the Looking-Glass. Encourage group discussions to decipher the meanings, followed by sharing their definitions with the class.
Listening Activity: Through the Looking-Glass Audio Adventure
Play an audio excerpt from “Through the Looking-Glass” for students to listen attentively. Afterward, engage them in a discussion about what they heard, encouraging them to share their interpretations and thoughts.
Roleplay Activity: Tea Party Dialogue
Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign each group a character from “Through the Looking-Glass.” Have them create and act out dialogues between characters, such as Alice, Humpty Dumpty, or Tweedledum and Tweedledee. This activity encourages imagination and speaking practice while embodying different characters.
Reading and Writing Activity: Imaginative Story Continuation
Provide students with an excerpt from “Through The Looking-Glass” and ask them to continue writing the story based on their own imaginative interpretation. This activity promotes creative writing skills along with comprehension of narrative elements.
ESL Homework Assignment
Encourage students to further immerse themselves in the world of “Through the Looking-Glass” by assigning them the task of writing a creative story inspired by the themes and characters introduced in class. This assignment reinforces their understanding of the lesson content while stimulating their imagination and language skills. Additionally, students can be tasked with researching and creating a poster about Lewis Carroll, adding an element of historical context to their learning experience.
Conclusion
Summary
In conclusion, the ESL lesson plan on “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There” has provided students with an engaging exploration of Lewis Carroll’s enchanting world. The activities and discussions have allowed students to delve into the characters, vocabulary, and themes present in the novel.
Reflection
As students reflect on this lesson, they may recognize how the unconventional language used in the story has enriched their vocabulary and comprehension. Additionally, by engaging with imaginative storytelling and participating in various language-focused activities, they have built their language skills alongside critical thinking abilities. This experience demonstrates how literature can be a captivating tool for language development.
Why this topic is great for ESL learning
Enhanced Language Exploration
The “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There” ESL lesson plan offers a unique avenue for language exploration. The whimsical and nonsensical elements of Lewis Carroll’s classic work provide an opportunity for students to not only expand their vocabulary but also to enhance their understanding of contextual language usage.
Critical Thinking and Creativity
By engaging with the imaginative narrative and participating in activities such as story continuation and roleplay, students are encouraged to think critically, use their creativity, and express themselves fluently in English. This dynamic approach enhances both linguistic skills and cognitive abilities.
Cultural Understanding
Furthermore, delving into literature like “Through the Looking-Glass” allows ESL learners to uncover cultural references embedded in the text, providing them with insights into Western literary traditions while broadening their cultural awareness.
This topic is undeniably valuable for ESL learning as it integrates language acquisition with creative thinking, fostering a holistic approach that resonates with diverse learning styles.
