- Poem
- Blast off, Year 4
- Issue 3, 2022
Waltzing Matilda*
Learning resource
Outcomes
Compose song lyrics, featuring modern day slang.
Ensure students know that the term ‘slang’ refers informal language commonly used by a particular group of people. View the article 10 English slang terms you need to know in 2022, from the website EF.com for examples of slang. Discuss which of the examples from the article students are familiar with and encourage students to share examples of slang they use. Jot students’ examples students on the board.
Read the lyrics for Waltzing Matilda and tell students it includes slang from when the song was written. View the article The History Of Waltzing Matilda, on the site Culture Trip, to identify the meanings of slang used in the song. These include:
- waltzing, meaning travelling on foot
- Matilda, a blanket roll carried on one’s back
- swagman - itinerant worker
Discuss the structure of the song, ensuring students identify that the second and fourth lines in each verse rhyme and that the song features a chorus, that repeats after every verse. Emphasise that the second and the fourth line of the chorus are the same (‘You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me’).
Discuss the subject matter of the song, ensuring students conclude it is about a man travelling around looking for work. More information can be found from the article Waltzing Matilda Facts for Kids, on Kiddle.
Discuss journeys students have taken. These may include their trip to school or a holiday they have been on. Identify objects students took with them on the journey, such as their lunch bag or water bottle. Discuss any challenges students encountered on the way, for example searching to find public bathrooms.
Place students in small groups and instruct them to select a journey to feature in lyrics for a song. Tell them to compose lyrics about the journey, featuring where they were going, what they took with them and any challenges they encountered. Instruct students to feature modern language and slang. Tell students to include rhyming words and a chorus, that can be repeated throughout.