May 14
Int'l Dylan Thomas Day
A celebration of the life and work of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. It's a day to explore his powerful words and the lasting impact of his poetry on the English-speaking world.
Speaking Discussion
- Have you ever heard of Dylan Thomas? What do you think of his famous line do not go gentle into that good night?
- Why do you think poetry is often seen as difficult or boring by many students today?
- Do you think poets and artists have a responsibility to address political or social issues in their work?
- How does the sound and rhythm of a poem change its meaning compared to just reading facts?
- If you had to write a poem about your life right now, what would the first line be?
Activity 1: The Great Debate
Motion: "Traditional poetry is a dead art form and has been completely replaced by modern song lyrics and short viral videos for expressing complex human emotions."
Split the class into two sides. Team A defends the timeless depth of the written word; Team B argues for the evolution of art into modern, digital formats.
Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences
Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.
- "The most powerful word in the English language is definitely..."
- "If I could meet any famous writer from history, I would ask them..."
- "I think humans still need stories and art because..."
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