Today we had fun learning some proverbs and idioms, which seem to be nearly the same, except that proverbs are longer. I wrote the beginning of some common sayings and let them think about how to finish them. They came pretty close with a bunch of them. I made sure they didn’t discuss their answers or look at each other’s papers. Of course, at the end, we discussed the real endings and what they mean, and how they tend to make sense only inside our own culture.

Here are Ian’s idioms responses:

Actions speak louder than: a trumpet call.
Cross that bridge when you: have the faith in God.
Don’t count your chickens before: you tell your master.
Don’t put all your eggs in: the oven.
Let sleeping dogs: rest.
Don’t let the cat out of: the house.
Take it with a grain of: wheat.

 

Here are Ian’s proverbs responses:

Give him an inch, he’ll take a: foot.
Absence makes the heart: cold.
Beggars can’t be: mean.
If at first you don’t succeed: try, try again.
Necessity is the mother of: riches/greed.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t: pay attention.
When the cat’s away, the mice will: come and get crazy!

 

Here are Isaac’s idioms responses:

Actions speak louder than: trumpets.
Cross that bridge when you: need to.
Don’t count your chickens before: they lay their eggs.
Don’t put all your eggs in: the pan.
Let sleeping dogs: sleep.
Don’t let the cat out of: the cage.
Take it with a grain of: sand.

 

Here are Isaac’s proverbs responses:

Give him an inch, he’ll take a: ruler.
Absence makes the heart: not good at stuff.
Beggars can’t be: not beggars.
If at first you don’t succeed: try again.
Necessity is the mother of: risk.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t: throw a brick.
When the cat’s away, the mice will: party.

 

Here are Elijah’s Idioms responses (we ran out of time, so I had to help write some of his answers):

Actions speak louder than: words.
Cross that bridge when you: leave.
Don’t count your chickens before: you sit.
Don’t put all your eggs in: your food.
Let sleeping dogs: sleep.
Don’t let the cat out of: the crate.
Take it with a grain of: food.

 

Here are Elijah’s Proverbs responses:

Give him an inch, he’ll take a: pinch.
Absence makes the heart: weak.
Beggars can’t be: rich.
If at first you don’t succeed: try more.
Necessity is the mother of: a child.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t: run.
When the cat’s away, the mice will: pay. Eventually.

 

These were a lot of fun. It was neat so see their thought processes and how close they came to some of the concepts.