Express Yourself! Script

Warm-Up: What Do You Mean? (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to have some fun with English phrases that can be a little tricky. Sometimes, when people speak English, they use groups of words that don't mean exactly what they sound like. We call these 'idioms.'"

"Let's start with a warm-up. I want you to look at the board or your Idiom Warm-Up sheet. I'm going to show you two sentences with an underlined phrase. I want you to guess what you think that phrase means, just based on the words. Don't worry if it's silly!"

(Display Slide 1, then guide to Idiom Warm-Up sheet/slide for questions)

(Teacher): "For example, for number one: 'My friend told me to "break a leg" before my presentation. I was nervous enough without breaking anything!' What do you think 'break a leg' means? Write your guess down."

(Teacher): "And for number two: 'When I woke up this morning, it was "raining cats and dogs" so I couldn't walk to school.' What do you think 'raining cats and dogs' means?"

(Teacher): "Now, share your ideas with a partner. What did you come up with?" (Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion).

(Teacher): "Alright, class, what were some of your funny guesses? It's okay if they were literal!" (Take a few responses, acknowledging the humor).

Idiom Introduction & Examples (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great job with your guesses! Now let's learn what these and a few other idioms really mean. Understanding idioms is super important because native English speakers use them all the time, and they can help you sound more natural when you speak English!"

(Display Slide 2: "Break a Leg!")

(Teacher): "Our first idiom is 'Break a Leg!' You all had some interesting ideas about literally breaking a leg, which sounds painful! But in English, when we tell someone to 'break a leg,' we actually mean... 'Good luck!' It's often used before a performance or a big event."

"Listen to my example: 'Before the play, the director told the actors, 'Break a leg!'' Can everyone repeat 'Break a leg!' after me?" (Pause for repetition). "When might you say 'break a leg' to someone?"

(Display Slide 3: "It's Raining Cats and Dogs!")

(Teacher): "Next, 'It's Raining Cats and Dogs!' We pictured animals falling from the sky, right? Hilarious! But its real meaning is much simpler: 'It's raining very heavily.' Imagine a huge downpour!"

"Example: 'I can't go outside; it's raining cats and dogs!' Repeat after me: 'It's raining cats and dogs!'" (Pause for repetition). "What kind of weather does this idiom describe?"

(Display Slide 4: "To Bite the Bullet")

(Teacher): "Here's another one: 'To Bite the Bullet.' This one sounds a bit scary, and its origin is actually from a time when soldiers might literally bite a bullet to endure pain without anesthetic! Today, its meaning is 'to bravely face a difficult or unpleasant situation.'"

"Example: 'I didn't want to study for the test, but I had to bite the bullet and do it.' Repeat after me: 'Bite the bullet!'" (Pause for repetition). "Can you think of a time when you had to 'bite the bullet'?"

(Display Slide 5: "See Eye to Eye")

(Teacher): "Finally, 'See Eye to Eye.' This one is a bit more straightforward from its literal meaning. If you see eye to eye with someone, it means 'to agree with someone.' You share the same view."

"Example: 'My brother and I don't always see eye to eye on everything, but we respect each other.' Repeat after me: 'See eye to eye!'" (Pause for repetition). "Do you always 'see eye to eye' with your friends or family?"

Idiom Match-Up Activity (10 minutes)

(Display Slide 6: "Time to Practice! Idiom Match-Up")

(Teacher): "Excellent! You've learned some great idioms. Now it's time to practice. I'm going to give you an Idiom Match-Up Activity worksheet. On this sheet, you will first match the idiom to its correct meaning. Then, in Part 2, you'll choose two idioms and use them in your own sentences. This will show me you truly understand them."

"I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions. Work carefully and try your best! You have about 8-10 minutes for this activity." (Distribute worksheets and circulate, offering support).

(Teacher, after 8-10 minutes): "Alright, let's go over the answers together! Who wants to share their match-ups? And then, who has a great sentence for 'Break a leg!'? How about 'Raining cats and dogs!'?" (Facilitate a quick class review, focusing on student sentences).

Cool-Down: Show What You Know! (5 minutes)

(Display Slide 7: "Cool-Down: Show What You Know!")

(Teacher): "You all did a fantastic job with the idiom challenge! To wrap up our lesson today, I have an Idiom Exit Ticket for you. Please complete this independently before you leave. It will help me see what you understood and what we might need to review."

"Think about what an idiom is, one idiom you learned today, and why it's important for you to understand them as English learners."

"Remember, you're all doing a 'piece of cake' job at learning English! (That means 'easy' or 'simple'!) Have a great rest of your day!" (Collect exit tickets as students finish and leave).

Idiom Warm-Up: What Do You Mean?

Instructions: Read the following sentence. Based on the words, what do you think the underlined phrase means? Write down your guess.

1. My friend told me to "break a leg" before my presentation. I was nervous enough without breaking anything!

   • What do you think "break a leg" means?
     
     
     

2. When I woke up this morning, it was "raining cats and dogs" so I couldn't walk to school.

   • What do you think "raining cats and dogs" means?
     
     
     

Think about it: Why might we use phrases where the words don't mean exactly what they say?

Idiom Match-Up Challenge

Part 1: Match the Idiom to its Meaning

Draw a line connecting each idiom to its correct meaning.

Part 2: Use the Idioms!

Choose two idioms from Part 1 and use each one in a complete sentence. Make sure your sentence shows you understand the meaning of the idiom.

1. Idiom: _________________________
   Sentence:
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Idiom: _________________________
   Sentence:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Idiom Exit Ticket

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to show what you learned today about idioms.

1. In your own words, what is an idiom?
   
   
   

2. Write down one idiom you learned today and its meaning.
   
   
   

   Idiom: _________________________

   Meaning: _________________________

3. Why do you think it is important for English language learners to understand idioms?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Idiom Match-Up Challenge: Answer Key

Part 1: Match the Idiom to its Meaning

Part 2: Use the Idioms!

Student answers will vary but should demonstrate understanding of the idiom's meaning in context.

Example Sentences:

1. Idiom: Break a leg
   Sentence: My drama teacher told us to break a leg before our first performance.

2. Idiom: Raining cats and dogs
   Sentence: We had to cancel our picnic because it was raining cats and dogs all afternoon.

3. Idiom: Bite the bullet
   Sentence: I didn't want to clean my room, but I had to bite the bullet and get it done.

4. Idiom: See eye to eye
   Sentence: Even though my sister and I don't always see eye to eye, we are still best friends.