The Dog Days of Summer
Discover the fun of wordplay by exploring the meanings and origins of common idioms.
Materials
- blue and white bulletin-board paper
- Kite template (page 60)
- yarn
- colored markers or pencils
- scissors
Setting Up
- Use blue bulletin-board paper to create a sky and white paper for clouds. Add a banner that reads GO FLY AN IDIOM!
- Prepare a sample of this project to show your class. The visual reference will help them construct their own kites
WORKSHEET & Sample PDF Activity
Sample PDF Activity
Conducting the Activity
Review the six “hot” idioms on page 59 with your students. Discuss their meanings, usage, and origins.
Have students choose one of the six idioms for which they will construct a kite.
Distribute copies of the Kite template. Ask students to cut out the kite and bows. Have them fold the kite according to the directions on page 58.
Students will then have a kite with four flaps. They should color the four flaps and use creative lettering to write the following titles on the tops of the flaps—IDIOM, ORIGIN, DRAWING, and STORY.
The following information will be included beneath the appropriate flaps.
Flap 1: Idiom Students should use creative lettering to write the idiom on which they will be reporting. Below the idiom have them write, in their own words, a sentence that explains its meaning.
Flap 2: Origin Students should write a complete, detailed paragraph describing the origins of the idiom they chose.
Flap 3: Drawing Students should draw a picture that illustrates the idiom’s meaning.
Flap 4: Story Students should write a paragraph that includes the use of the idiom, either in descriptive sentences or in a quote.
Creating the Bulletin Board
Give each student a length of yarn to use for the kite’s tail. Students should color the bows, tape the yarn to the back of the kite, and glue the bows along the tail.
Hang the kites on your bulletin board to create an uplifting display.
