3. MR NOBODYMR NOBODY (ANONYMOUS)(ANONYMOUS)
SYNOPSISSYNOPSIS
The poem talks about irresponsible behavior. TheThe poem talks about irresponsible behavior. The
persona in the poem is most probably a parentpersona in the poem is most probably a parent
who wants to admonish the children for alwayswho wants to admonish the children for always
running away from responsibility and for blamingrunning 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 childrenhearted manner as a gentle reminder to children
that they should not conveniently blame othersthat they should not conveniently blame others
for something that they could easily dofor something that they could easily do
themselves. It is irresponsible to claim ignorancethemselves. It is irresponsible to claim ignorance
for little misdeeds that occurs frequently in thefor little misdeeds that occurs frequently in the
house.house.
4. Word AssociationWord Association
AimsAims
To allow students to focus onTo allow students to focus on
words found in the poemwords found in the poem
and gainand gain
understanding of their meanings.understanding of their meanings.
7. HANDOUT 1HANDOUT 1
break cracked tear
leave ajar squeak bring in mud
soil mislaid tosses about
leave unclosed fade spill
lying around
8. 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 allPaste the verb/verb phrases cards all
around the classroom before thearound the classroom before the
students enter.students enter.
Tell the group that the objectives ofTell the group that the objectives of
the exercise is to match the nounsthe exercise is to match the nouns
with the appropriate verbs/verbwith the appropriate verbs/verb
phrases which are all found in thephrases which are all found in the
poem.poem.
9. Get each group to select:Get each group to select:
two runners that will read the cardstwo runners that will read the cards
and report backand report back
a scribe that will write the words asa scribe that will write the words as
given by the runnersgiven by the runners
two managers that will match thetwo managers that will match the
nouns and verbsnouns and verbs
Complete the matching exercise asComplete the matching exercise as
fast as possible and comparefast as possible and compare
answers in a discussion. Facilitateanswers in a discussion. Facilitate
the discussion.the discussion.
10. WhatWhat’’s in a name?s in a name?
AimsAims
To enable students to draw aTo enable students to draw a
character sketch about the personacharacter sketch about the persona
using clues in the poemusing clues in the poem
To raise studentsTo raise students’’ awareness aboutawareness about
issues that can cut across genresissues that can cut across genres
13. StepsSteps
Divide 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 oneTell them to concentrate on one
stanza.stanza.
Tell them to read the stanza theyTell them to read the stanza they
have chosen and come up with twohave chosen and come up with two
character traits of Mr. Nobody.character traits of Mr. Nobody.
14. Give them a few minutes forGive them a few minutes for
discussion.discussion.
Get them to present the characterGet 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 theyGet the class to decide whether they
agree or disagree with the characteragree or disagree with the character
traits aforementioned. Advise themtraits aforementioned. Advise them
to give reasons for their choice.to give reasons for their choice.
15. DO IT RIGHT!DO IT RIGHT!
AimsAims
To encourage students to evaluateTo encourage students to evaluate
their own behaviour and challengetheir own behaviour and challenge
themselves to do good.themselves to do good.
17. StepsSteps
Get students to elicit the negative behaviorGet 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 theGet 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 fillDistribute the worksheet for students to fill
in. (accept any suitable answers)in. (accept any suitable answers)
Students list other positive things that theyStudents 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 themMaterials are given to the students for them
to make signboards that will remind them toto make signboards that will remind them to
do good things around the house.do good things around the house.
20. Dear Mr. NobodyDear Mr. Nobody
AIMSAIMS
To teach students toTo teach students to
express their feelings inexpress their feelings in
the form of a letter.the form of a letter.
22. Handout - act 1Handout - act 1
ASKING FOR A BORROWED PENASKING FOR A BORROWED PEN
Excuse me, do you rememberExcuse me, do you remember
that you borrowed my redthat you borrowed my red
pen the other day? If you dopen the other day? If you do
not need it anymore, could Inot need it anymore, could I
please have it back? Thankplease have it back? Thank
you.you.
23. Handout - act 2Handout - act 2
ASKING OTHERS TO BE QUIETASKING OTHERS TO BE QUIET
Will all of you please make aWill all of you please make a
little less noise? I am tryinglittle less noise? I am trying
to study here. Thank you forto study here. Thank you for
your cooperation.your cooperation.
24. Handout - act 3Handout - act 3
ASKING SOMEONE TO CLEAN THEIR DESKASKING SOMEONE TO CLEAN THEIR DESK
I think you need to cleanI think you need to clean
out your desk. I can helpout your desk. I can help
you if you like.you if you like.
25. StepsSteps
Begin by asking students to extract and list theBegin by asking students to extract and list the
bad things that Mr.. Nobody had done in thebad things that Mr.. Nobody had done in the
poem.poem.
Give students the vocabulary needed to expressGive students the vocabulary needed to express
dissatisfaction and to request for a change indissatisfaction 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 aStudents 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/ askExplain 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.
26. .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 heAsking someone to return a pen he
had borrowed.had borrowed.
Asking someone keep quiet as youAsking someone keep quiet as you
have to study.have to study.
Asking someone to clean the messAsking 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 aStudents choose An example of a
misbehavior they would like Mr..misbehavior they would like Mr..
Nobody to change and write him aNobody to change and write him a
letter about this.letter about this.
27. HandoutHandout
Nadiah
1 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
28. HOT SEATHOT SEAT
AIMAIM
To enable students toTo enable students to
understand the content ofunderstand the content of
the poem through athe poem through a
drama activitydrama activity
29. StepsSteps
Divide students into 5Divide students into 5
groups.groups.
Call one group out.Call one group out.
Get the group to form aGet the group to form a
circle.circle.
Place a chair in the circle.Place a chair in the circle.
Ask for a volunteer to sit onAsk for a volunteer to sit on
the chair.the chair.
30. 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 heStudents are to ask Mr. Nobody questions about what he
does. This is where the content of the poem comes indoes. This is where the content of the poem comes in
useful. This is a perfect opportunity to practiseuseful. This is a perfect opportunity to practise ‘‘whwh’’
questions.questions.
Students can also ask about Mr.. NobodyStudents can also ask about Mr.. Nobody’’s others other
wrongdoings (which may not be in the poem). Let theirwrongdoings (which may not be in the poem). Let their
imagination run!imagination run!
Mr.. Nobody has to refute/deny their accusations. His roleMr.. 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 isAlternatively, 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.
