Class 7 : TERM I – Unit 3 – Poem- Your Space

 

TERM I – Unit 3 – Poem- Your Space  

LESSON PLAN for this poem is given at the end of the answers.

Look at the pictures given below. Fill in the blanks according to the cues given. Based on the cues and the images provided:

1. When you are in a meeting Situation: Formal Conversation: Formal Your own sentences:

• "Good morning, everyone. Let's begin the meeting."
• "I agree with the point made by Mr./Ms. [Name]."
• "Could you please elaborate on that further?"

2. With your headmaster Situation: Formal Conversation: Formal Your own sentences:

• "Good morning/afternoon, Headmaster."
• "I would like to respectfully request information about..."
• "Thank you for your time and consideration."

3. With your parents Situation: Informal Conversation: Informal Your own sentences:

• "Hi Mom/Dad, how was your day?"
• "Can I please have [something you need]?"
• "I wanted to tell you about [something that happened]."                                                          
• 
  
• Poem : 
•  Speak gently! – It is better far

  To rule by love, than fear

  Speak gently – let not harsh words mar

  The good we might do here!

  Speak gently! – Love doth whisper low

  The vows that true hearts bind;

  And gently Friendship’s accents fl ow;

  Aff ection’s voice is kind.

  Speak gently to the little child!

  Its love be sure to gain;

  Teach it in accents soft and mild:-

  It may not long remain.

  Speak gently to the young, for they

  Will have enough to bear –

  Pass through this life as best they may,

  ‘T is full of anxious care!

  Speak gently to the aged one,

  Grieve not the care-worn heart;

  The sands of life are nearly run,

  Let such in peace depart!

  Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;

  Let no harsh tone be heard;

  They have enough they must endure,

  Without an unkind word!

  Speak gently to the erring – know,

  They may have toiled in vain;

  Perchance unkindness made them so;

  Oh, win them back again!

  Speak gently! – He who gave his life

  To bend man’s stubborn will,

  When elements were in fi erce strife,

  Said to them, ‘Peace, be still.’

  Speak gently! – ’tis a little thing

  Dropped in the heart’s deep well;

  The good, the joy, which it may bring,

  Eternity shall tell.

  David Bates
   Read and Understand

• A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

  1. Why should we speak gently?

    We should speak gently because it is better to rule by love than fear, and gentle words can foster kindness and avoid causing harm.

  2. What do you infer about speaking with others from this poem?

    From this poem, I infer that speaking gently to others is crucial for building positive relationships, offering comfort, and guiding them with compassion, regardless of their age or situation.

  3. What are the disadvantages of speaking harshly?

   The disadvantages of speaking harshly include marring the good we can do, grieving care-worn hearts, causing further suffering to the poor, and potentially pushing those who have erred further away instead of winning them back.

  4. Why does the poet tell us to speak gently to young children?

  The poet tells us to speak gently to young children to gain their love and teach them in a kind manner, as their time with us may be limited.

  5. How should you speak with old people?

    We should speak gently with old people and not grieve their care-worn hearts, as they are nearing the end of their lives and deserve peace.

  B. Read the poem and fill in the blanks wit h the correct option.

  1. It is better far to rule by , than .

  2. Teach it in accents and .

  3. Let no tone be .

  4. They may have in .

  5. The , the_______, which it may bring.

  6. The of are nearly run.

  (soft ,vain ,fear ,joy ,love ,heard ,toiled ,mild ,good ,sand ,life ,harsh)

  ·         It is better far to rule by love, than fear.

  ·         Teach it in accents soft and mild.

  ·         Let no harsh tone be heard.

  ·         They may have toiled in vain.

  ·         The good, the joy, which it may bring.

  ·         The sands of life are nearly run.

  C. Pick out the words which rhyme with the given words and write similar rhyming words on your own.

  1. far - -

  2. fear - -

  3. low - -

  4. kind - -

  5. remain - -

  6. they - -

  ·         far - mar - star, car

  ·         fear - here - clear, near

  ·         low - flow - sow, grow

  ·         kind - bind - mind, find

  ·         remain - gain - pain, train

  ·         they - may - say, way

  D. Take a stanza from the poem. Write it in the blanks and find the rhyme scheme.

  Lines from the poem Rhyme scheme (a/b/c/d)

  Lines from the poem	Rhyme scheme (a/b/c/d)
  Speak gently to the aged one,	A
  Grieve not the care-worn heart;	b
  The sands of life are nearly run,	a
  Let such in peace depart!	b

   

  
  
  
  

  ---

  Lesson Plan: "Speak Gently" by David Bates

  1. Learning Objectives:

  • Students will understand the theme of kindness and gentleness conveyed in the poem.

  • Students will learn the importance of speaking gently in different situations.

  • Students will expand vocabulary by learning new words from the poem.

  • Students will develop skills in reading, comprehension, and expression.

  2. Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to apply the value of speaking gently in their daily interactions at home, school, and community.

  • Students will exhibit improved communication by choosing kind and gentle words.

  • Students will demonstrate comprehension by summarizing the poem and explaining its message.

  3. Introduction:
     Ask the students questions to introduce the lesson:

  • What does it mean to speak gently?

  • Can you recall a time someone spoke gently to you? How did it make you feel?

  • Why do you think it is important to be kind with our words?

  • How can harsh words affect others?

  4. Reading and Understanding:

  • Read the poem aloud to the class.

  • Have students read the poem individually or in groups.

  • Discuss the meanings of new or difficult words such as "accents," "mar," "careworn," "erring," and "stubborn."

  • Use examples and context to help students grasp the meanings.

  5. Mind Map:
     Draw a mind map on the board showing the main theme "Speak Gently" at the center. Branches include:

  • To rule by love, not fear

  • Speak gently to:

    • Little child

    • Young people

    • Aged people

    • Poor people

    • Erring people

  • Effects of speaking gently: kindness, peace, friendship, joy

  You can use a visual flowchart or table format to illustrate these points.                         

  6. Consolidation and Presentation:
     Summarize the poem with the class:
     The poem teaches us that speaking gently and kindly to others—whether they are children, young or old, poor or mistaken—creates love, peace, and friendship. Harsh words can hurt, but gentle words can heal and bring joy.

  7. Reinforcement:
     Provide additional details:

  • Explain how gentle speech can solve conflicts and make relationships stronger.

  • Share famous quotes or real-life examples about kindness in communication.

  • Discuss the biblical reference in the poem ("Peace, be still") and its meaning about calming troubles with gentle words.

  8. Evaluation Questions:
     a) Lower order thinking question: What does the poet want us to do?
     b) Middle order thinking question: Why is it important to speak gently to different kinds of people mentioned in the poem?
     c) Higher order thinking question: How can speaking gently change the way people behave or respond to us?

  9. Remedial Teaching:
     For slow learners, use these strategies:

  • Pair them with peers for reading and discussion.

  • Use simpler sentences and more examples for vocabulary.

  • Repeat readings and encourage oral recitation.

  • Use pictures and gestures to explain meanings.

  10. Writing Activity:
      Ask students to write a short paragraph or a few sentences about a time they spoke gently or were spoken to gently and how it made a difference. Alternatively, they can write a few lines on why speaking gently is important.

  11. Follow Up:
      Assign homework or an activity:

  • Keep a “Speak Gently Diary” for a week—write down instances when they or others used gentle words and what happened.

  • Create a poster or drawing illustrating the poem’s message of kindness through speech.

  • Practice reading the poem at home and share their favorite lines with family or friends.