Mr. NOBODY

Mr. NOBODY

MR NOBODY MR NOBODY (ANONYMOUS)(ANONYMOUS)

SYNOPSISSYNOPSIS

The poem talks about irresponsible behavior. The The poem talks about irresponsible behavior. The persona in the poem is most probably a parent persona in the poem is most probably a parent who wants to admonish the children for always who wants to admonish the children for always running away from responsibility and for blaming running away from responsibility and for blaming others for the mischief that they have done.others for the mischief that they have done.

The message, though serious, is put in a light-The message, though serious, is put in a light-hearted manner as a gentle reminder to children hearted manner as a gentle reminder to children that they should not conveniently blame others that they should not conveniently blame others for something that they could easily do for something that they could easily do themselves. It is irresponsible to claim ignorance themselves. It is irresponsible to claim ignorance for little misdeeds that occurs frequently in the for little misdeeds that occurs frequently in the house.house.

Word AssociationWord Association

AimsAims

To allow students to focus on To allow students to focus on words found in the poem words found in the poem

and gain and gain understanding of their meanings.understanding of their meanings.

MaterialsMaterials

Worksheet 1 Worksheet 1

Handout 1 Handout 1

WORKSHEET 1WORKSHEET 1

CRACKED

BREAK

FADE SPILL

BRING IN MUD

MISLAID

HANDOUT 1HANDOUT 1break cracked tear

leave ajar squeak bring in mud

soil mislaid tosses about

leave unclosed fade spill

lying around 

StepsSteps

Divide the class into groups of 5. Divide the class into groups of 5.

Give the noun-cards to each group.Give the noun-cards to each group.

Paste the verb/verb phrases cards all Paste the verb/verb phrases cards all around the classroom before the around the classroom before the students enter. students enter.

Tell the group that the objectives of Tell the group that the objectives of the exercise is to match the nouns the exercise is to match the nouns with the appropriate verbs/verb with the appropriate verbs/verb phrases which are all found in the phrases which are all found in the poem.poem.

Get each group to select:Get each group to select:

two runners that will read the cards two runners that will read the cards and report back and report back

a scribe that will write the words as a scribe that will write the words as given by the runnersgiven by the runners

two managers that will match the two managers that will match the nouns and verbs nouns and verbs

Complete the matching exercise as fast Complete the matching exercise as fast as possible and compare answers in a as possible and compare answers in a discussion. Facilitate the discussion. discussion. Facilitate the discussion.

What’s in a name?What’s in a name?

AimsAims

To enable students to draw a To enable students to draw a character sketch about the persona character sketch about the persona using clues in the poemusing clues in the poem

To raise students’ awareness about To raise students’ awareness about issues that can cut across genres issues that can cut across genres

MaterialsMaterials

Copies of Worksheet 2 Copies of Worksheet 2

WORKSHEET 2Decide what character traits Mr. Nobodydemonstrates in each of the stanzas.

StepsStepsDivide students into groups of four. Divide students into groups of four. They could also work in pairs. They could also work in pairs.

Give them a copy of Worksheet One.Give them a copy of Worksheet One.

Tell them to concentrate on one Tell them to concentrate on one stanza.stanza.

Tell them to read the stanza they Tell them to read the stanza they have chosen and come up with two have chosen and come up with two character traits of Mr. Nobody. character traits of Mr. Nobody.

Give them a few minutes for Give them a few minutes for discussion.discussion.

Get them to present the character Get them to present the character traits of Mr. Nobody to the class. traits of Mr. Nobody to the class.

Get the class to decide whether they Get the class to decide whether they agree or disagree with the character agree or disagree with the character traits aforementioned. Advise them traits aforementioned. Advise them to give reasons for their choice. to give reasons for their choice.

DO IT RIGHT!DO IT RIGHT!

AimsAims

To encourage students to evaluate To encourage students to evaluate their own behaviour and challenge their own behaviour and challenge themselves to do good. themselves to do good.

MaterialsMaterialsWorksheet 1Worksheet 1

StepsStepsGet students to elicit the negative behavior Get students to elicit the negative behavior that is mentioned in the poem. that is mentioned in the poem. Get them to discuss in groups and list the Get them to discuss in groups and list the opposite behavior that is positive in nature. opposite behavior that is positive in nature. Distribute the worksheet for students to fill in. Distribute the worksheet for students to fill in. (accept any suitable answers) (accept any suitable answers) Students list other positive things that they Students list other positive things that they can do at home to help their parents. can do at home to help their parents. Materials are given to the students for them Materials are given to the students for them to make signboards that will remind them to to make signboards that will remind them to do good things around the house. do good things around the house.

MaterialsMaterials

Worksheet 1Worksheet 1

WIPE FEET BEFORE ENTERING

DO NOT SCATTER PINS

FILE-UP THE PAPERS NICELY

Alternatively, the teacher can ask students to produce signs for the classroom.

Dear Mr. NobodyDear Mr. Nobody

AIMSAIMS

To teach students to To teach students to express their feelings in express their feelings in the form of a letter. the form of a letter.

MaterialsMaterials

HANDOUTS 2 and 3HANDOUTS 2 and 3

Handout - act 1Handout - act 1ASKING FOR A BORROWED PENASKING FOR A BORROWED PEN

Excuse me, do you remember Excuse me, do you remember that you borrowed my red that you borrowed my red pen the other day? If you do pen the other day? If you do not need it anymore, could I not need it anymore, could I please have it back? Thank please have it back? Thank you.you.

Handout - act 2Handout - act 2

ASKING OTHERS TO BE QUIETASKING OTHERS TO BE QUIET

Will all of you please make a Will all of you please make a little less noise? I am trying to little less noise? I am trying to study here. Thank you for study here. Thank you for your cooperation.your cooperation.

Handout - act 3Handout - act 3ASKING SOMEONE TO CLEAN THEIR DESKASKING SOMEONE TO CLEAN THEIR DESK

I think you need to clean I think you need to clean out your desk. I can help out your desk. I can help you if you like. you if you like.

StepsStepsBegin by asking students to extract and list the Begin by asking students to extract and list the

bad things that Mr.. Nobody had done in the bad things that Mr.. Nobody had done in the poem. poem.

Give students the vocabulary needed to express Give students the vocabulary needed to express dissatisfaction and to request for a change in dissatisfaction and to request for a change in behavior. (Handout 2) behavior. (Handout 2) Prepare single-person monologues. Prepare single-person monologues. Students can pick one at random and read it a Students can pick one at random and read it a few times before saying it aloud. few times before saying it aloud. Explain the scenario to the students/ ask Explain the scenario to the students/ ask students what they think happened.students what they think happened.

Go through the vocabulary with the students.Go through the vocabulary with the students.

.Ask students to come forward and .Ask students to come forward and act a short scene:act a short scene:

Asking someone to return a pen he Asking someone to return a pen he had borrowed.had borrowed.

Asking someone keep quiet as you Asking someone keep quiet as you have to study.have to study.

Asking someone to clean the mess Asking someone to clean the mess under their table.under their table.

Give students Handout 3Give students Handout 3 (a letter) (a letter)Students choose An example of a Students choose An example of a

misbehavior they would like Mr.. misbehavior they would like Mr.. Nobody to change and write him a Nobody to change and write him a letter about this.letter about this.

HandoutHandoutNadiah1 Jalan Sultan Batu Pahat

30th November 2009

Dear Mr. Nobody,

I know that you like to keep yourself hidden. However, what you have been doing in my house is too much.

You have been cracking the plates in the kitchen. When I help Mummy to wash the dishes, the plates break. Then Mummy gives me a scolding and most of the time some punishment like washing the wok and pots since they cannot break.

Please help me, Mr.. Nobody. Please do not crack the plates anymore. I promise to be good and help Mummy without being asked.

Thank you.

Nadiah

HOT SEATHOT SEAT

AIMAIM

To enable students to To enable students to understand the content of understand the content of the poem through a the poem through a drama activitydrama activity

StepsStepsDivide students into 5 groups. Divide students into 5 groups.

Call one group out.Call one group out.

Get the group to form a circle.Get the group to form a circle.

Place a chair in the circle.Place a chair in the circle.

Ask for a volunteer to sit on Ask for a volunteer to sit on the chair.the chair.

Give them the following instructions:Give them the following instructions:

The chair is a hot seat.The chair is a hot seat.

The person sitting on the chair is suspected to be Mr. The person sitting on the chair is suspected to be Mr. Nobody.Nobody.

Students are to ask Mr. Nobody questions about what he Students are to ask Mr. Nobody questions about what he does. This is where the content of the poem comes in does. This is where the content of the poem comes in useful. This is a perfect opportunity to practise ‘wh’ useful. This is a perfect opportunity to practise ‘wh’ questions.questions.

Students can also ask about Mr.. Nobody’s other Students can also ask about Mr.. Nobody’s other wrongdoings (which may not be in the poem). Let their wrongdoings (which may not be in the poem). Let their imagination run!imagination run!

Mr.. Nobody has to refute/deny their accusations. His role Mr.. Nobody has to refute/deny their accusations. His role is to convince the group that he is not Mr. Nobody. is to convince the group that he is not Mr. Nobody. Alternatively, his role could be to convince them that he is Alternatively, his role could be to convince them that he is not guilty of any wrongdoings as mentioned in the poem. not guilty of any wrongdoings as mentioned in the poem.

Get other students to try out the HOT SEAT.Get other students to try out the HOT SEAT.

Mr. NOBODY