LESSON 2

Leading Comprehension:
WHAT PRESENT STRUGGLES DOES THE FILIPINO NATION AS WELL AS THE WORLD CONTENDS WITH?
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THESE STRUGGLES?

The Same Old Figurative

Joel Toledo

Yes, the world is strange, riddled with difficult sciences

and random magic. But there are compensations, things we do

perceive: the high cries and erratic spirals of sparrows,

the sky gray and now giving in to the regular rain.

Still we insist on meaning, that common consolation

that every now and then makes for beauty. Or disaster.

Listen. The new figures are simply those of birds,

the whole notes of their now flightless bodies snagged

on the many scales of the city. And it’s just some thunder,
the usual humming of wires. It is only in its breaking

that the rain gives itself away. So come now and assemble
with the weather. Notice the water gathering on your cupped

and extended hands—familiar and wet and meaningless.

You are merely being cleansed. Bare instead

the scarred heart; notice how its wild human music

makes such sense. Come the diving

can wait.
Let us examine the wreckage.
Guide Questions:

1. What images are presented in the poem and where can these images be found?
2. What contrasting objects and concepts are illustrated in the poem? What message do
these present?
3. What do you think is the author’s purpose for using the image of the rain in the poem?

Understanding the Text:

1. What message does the poem convey about the present condition of human life?
2. What are the causes and effects of this present condition? Why does the author say
“But there are compensations, things we do”?
3. What is the symbol of the rain in the poem? What allusion does the rain present?
4. What contrasting and universal concepts does the archetype of water provide in the
poem and in other literary works?
5. What is the author’s invitation at the end of the poem? Why did he make such an
invitation?
6. What do you think is the “same old figurative” in the poem and in real life?

Activities:

I. Studying Philippine history and contemporary issues, do a research about one

persistent problem that the people are dealing with. List down at least three (3)
causes of this problem.

Cause
2
Cause Cause
1 3

Problem:
 II. Upon exploring one problem that the Filipino nation is dealing with, create a poster
and slogan advocating solutions to help address, respond and overcome this problem.
In addition, promote the values of empowerment and resilience among the Filipinos.
Draw the poster in the box and write the slogan on the underline.

Sample Output:

CATEGORY 4 3
Graphics are all in focus and the
Graphics -Clarity content easily viewed and
identified from 6 ft. away.
Several of the graphics used on
Graphics - the poster reflect a exceptional
Originality degree of student creativity in their
creation and/or display.
All graphics are related to the topic
Graphics - and make it easier to understand.
Relevance All borrowed graphics have a
source citation.
All items of importance on the
poster are clearly labeled with
Labels labels that can be read from at
least 3 ft. away.
Required The poster includes all required
elements as well as additional
Elements
information.
Student can accurately answer all
Knowledge questions related to facts in the
Gained poster and processes used to
create the poster.
Content - At least 7 accurate facts are
Accuracy displayed on the poster.
The poster is exceptionally
Attractiveness attractive in terms of design,
layout, and neatness.
Title can be read from 6 ft. away
Title and is quite creative.
Capitalization and punctuation are
Mechanics correct throughout the poster.
There are no grammatical
Grammar mistakes on the poster.
RUBRICS FOR POSTER MAKIN
Most graphics are in focus
and the content easily viewed
and identified from 6 ft. away.
One or two of the graphics
used on the poster reflect
student creativity in their
creation and/or display.
All graphics are related to the
topic and most make it easier
to understand. All borrowed
graphics have a source
citation.
Almost all items of importance
on the poster are clearly
labeled with labels that can be
read from at least 3 ft. away.
All required elements are
included on the poster.
Student can accurately
answer most questions related
to facts in the poster and
processes used to create the
poster.
5-6 accurate facts are
displayed on the poster.
The poster is attractive in
terms of design, layout and
neatness.
Title can be read from 6 ft.
away and describes content
well.
There is 1 error in
capitalization or punctuation.
There is 1 grammatical
mistake on the poster.
2 1
Most graphics are in
focus and the content is
Many graphics are not clear
easily viewed and
or are too small.
identified from 4 ft.
away.
The graphics are made
by the student, but are No graphics made by the
based on the designs or student are included.
ideas of others.
All graphics relate to the Graphics do not relate to the
topic. Most borrowed topic OR several borrowed
graphics have a source graphics do not have a
citation. source citation.
Several items of
importance on the
Labels are too small to view
poster are clearly
labeled with labels that
OR no important items were
labeled.
can be read from at
least 3 ft. away.
All but 1 of the required
Several required elements
elements are included
were missing.
on the poster.
Student can accurately
answer about 75% of Student appears to have
questions related to insufficient knowledge about
facts in the poster and the facts or processes used
processes used to in the poster.
create the poster.
3-4 accurate facts are Less than 3 accurate facts
displayed on the poster. are displayed on the poster.
The poster is acceptably The poster is distractingly
attractive though it may messy or very poorly
be a bit messy. designed. It is not attractive.
Title can be read from 4 The title is too small and/or
ft. away and describes does not describe the
the content well. content of the poster well.
There are 2 errors in There are more than 2 errors
capitalization or in capitalization or
punctuation. punctuation.
There are more than 2
There are 2 grammatical
mistakes on the poster.
grammatical mistakes on the
poster.