I wrote the above poem to teach the poem Chivy by Michael Rosen. I used this as a teaching aid before I began discussing the issue of the poem. I asked them whether they have heard of such statements in their life. Who gives such instructions to them? The children replied their elders. Then I asked do they like hearing them? They said no because it is irritating to hear the same repeated words again and again. I asked them why do they think parents say such things? They replied that they do so to make them aware of the rules in life. The do's and don'ts help children to behave properly in society.I agreed and said that parents do this so that the children don't commit the mistakes. They repeatedly remind them as children forget things. So parents unintentionally annoy their children.To chivy is to repeat instructions in an annoying way.If parents don't inform their children they will never know.I asked the children to read the poem and point out prohibitions and instructions.Prohibitions are the one's which begin with Don'ts and instructions are Do's. I also asked them to analyze the poem and answer some questions relevant to the topic. Parents sometimes react too strictly to their children while giving them instructions. They don't realize the implications of harsh behavior. Children become rebellious because of their parents impassive stance. We as a class arrived at the conclusion that rules are necessary but they can be said in a less taunting way. Though some rules are unreasonable, it is important that they teach children good manners. Finally I asked the children to make a list of dos and don'ts for their parents.Chivy
Grown-ups say things like:
Speak up
Don’t talk with your mouth full
Don’t stare
Don’t point
Don’t pick your nose
Sit up
Say please
Less noise
Shut the door behind you
Don’t drag your feet
Haven’t you got a hankie?
Take your hands out of
your pockets Pull your socks up
Stand up straight
Say thank you
Don’t interrupt
No one thinks you’re funny
Take your elbows off the table
Can’t you make your own
mind up about anything ?
Michael Rosen
