Creative+&+Fun

__Creative Grammar__
//Answer: (1) eating a cactus (2) taste should have an "s" on it because the subject (cat food) is singular) (bonus) cat food is two words
 * Write Now: This cat is making two big mistakes. What are they?**

//

For more like this involving **grammar** and **literary devices: [|Cat grammar and devices.doc]**

Teaching Paradox with Music
Keep the definition simple: paradox = a contradiction Provide a number of examples. Then: Test how well students understand the concept of a paradox by playing, **"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon**.


 * FOCUS QUESTION:** Does this song contain a paradox?
 * EXPLANATION:** Paradoxically, Simon says, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you!" as if the song is NOT about him and he would be wrong, conceited, and vain to think it was. In reality, the song IS about him. However, Simon //might// argue that this is not a paradox because the song isn't about his good qualities (qualities for which he should feel vain/proud) it is about how he hurt her.

//You walked into the party Like you were walking onto a yacht Your hat strategically dipped below one eye Your scarf it was apricot You had one eye in the mirror As you watched yourself gavotte And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner They'd be your partner, and

You're so vain You probably think this song is about you You're so vain I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?

You had me several years ago When I was still quite naive Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair And that you would never leave But you gave away the things you loved And one of them was me I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain You probably think this song is about you You're so vain I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?

I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain You probably think this song is about you You're so vain I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?

Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga And your horse naturally won Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia To see the total eclipse of the sun Well, you're where you should be all the time And when you're not, you're with Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend Wife of a close friend, and

You're so vain You probably think this song is about you You're so vain I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?//

Teaching Irony with Music

 * [|Introduction Irony using "Isn't it Ironic" by Alanis Morissette.doc]
 * Texts to consider: "Lambs to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl; "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell