Basic 4 · Ghanaian Language · Poems
Exploring Poems and Their Moral Lessons
In this topic you will read poems of about five lines and discuss their moral lessons.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Read a five-line poem correctly
- Identify the moral lesson of a poem
- Recite a poem with expression
What you already know
- Exploring poems (Basic 3)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Oral Reading
- Sub-strand
- Poems
- Indicator
- B4.1.2.1.1 – Explore the poems of about five lines correctly and discuss the moral lessons in the poem
Introduction
Poems in Ghanaian languages often carry advice from elders. A short poem can teach a big lesson.
1. A Five-Line Poem (English example)
"The Ant"
The little ant works all day long,
It carries food, it sings no song,
When rain and cold come round once more,
The ant has food inside its store,
So work today, be wise and strong.
2. Discussing the Poem
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the poem about? | an ant that works hard |
| What does the ant do? | it carries and stores food |
| Why is the ant ready for the rain? | it worked and saved food |
| What is the moral? | work hard and plan for the future |
Tip: Read poems in your Ghanaian language and find their morals in the same way.
New words
- poem
- A piece of writing in lines, often with rhythm.
- moral
- The lesson a poem or story teaches.
- recite
- To say from memory.
- expression
- Showing feeling with your voice.
- store
- A place where things are kept.
- wise
- Showing good judgement.
Summary
- Poems can teach moral lessons.
- We read poems correctly and with expression.
- "The Ant" teaches hard work and planning.
- Poems in Ghanaian languages carry elders' advice.
Class activity: Poem Recital
- Read a five-line poem from the poem cards.
- Discuss its moral.
- Recite it to the class with expression.
You need: Locally made song or poem cards, Local drum, Gourd shaker
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What does the ant do all day?
- A. Works
- B. Sleeps
- C. Sings
- D. Plays
Show answer
Answer: WorksIt carries food.2. What is the moral of "The Ant"?
- A. Work hard and plan for the future
- B. Sleep all day
- C. Waste food
- D. Fear the rain
Show answer
Answer: Work hard and plan for the futureThe ant prepared.3. To say from memory is to…
- A. Recite
- B. Write
- C. Draw
- D. Paint
Show answer
Answer: ReciteThat is reciting.4. Poems can teach lessons.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueMany poems have morals.5. The ant had no food when the rain came.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt had food in its store.6. Showing good judgement is being ______.
Show answer
Answer: wiseThe ant was wise.7. Write the moral of a poem you know.
Show answer
Answer: Answers will differ.Each poem has a lesson.8. How does the ant's behaviour apply to pupils?
Show answer
Answer: Pupils should study hard now to be ready for exams and the future.Apply the moral.
Homework
- Learn a five-line poem in your Ghanaian language and recite it at home.