Let’s make hay while the sun shines! What is an adage or proverb and how can we tell what they mean?

Adages and proverbs offer advice and observations about life Adages and proverbs offer advice and observations about life. You can build your knowledge of adages and proverbs by asking someone what they mean or by looking them up online. They are sometimes very figurative. It is not important that you know the difference between an adage and a proverb. It is important that you are able to tell what they mean so that you can understand the text of which they are a part.

Let’s practice. Each of the the following slides show an adage or a proverb. Discuss with a partner what you think each one means. Your teacher will then click to reveal the actual meaning. Good luck!

A watched pot never boils … Things you look forward to seem to take a long time to happen.

Mistakes can teach useful lessons. You live, and you learn … Mistakes can teach useful lessons.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you … Don’t hurt those who take care of you, or they may not want to take care of you anymore.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained … You can’t expect to achieve something if you never even try to do it.

The early bird catches the worm … If you start something early, you have a better chance of succeeding at it.

lie and not mention it again. Find the adage or proverb in each sentence, and then decide the correct meaning. You may confer with a partner. Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not mention it again. a. It is better not to restart an old argument. b. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep on the floor.

lie and not mention it again. Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not mention it again. It is better not to restart an old argument. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep on the floor. *They are not LITERALLY talking about dogs. They are using figurative language!

When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every day keeps them from scolding you. b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in good health.

When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every day keeps them from scolding you. b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in good health.

Dad said that while the rest of us are out grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay while the sun shines and take a nap. a. The best place to take a nap is outside in the sun. b. Take advantage of an opportunity while you have chance to do so.

Dad said that while the rest of us are out grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay while the sun shines and take a nap. a. The best place to take a nap is outside in the sun. b. Take advantage of an opportunity while you have chance to do so.

When Danny asked his grandmother why she saved used wrapping paper, she replied, “Waste not, want not.” a. If you careful not to be wasteful, you will not find yourself in need of things. b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a wasteful person.

When Danny asked his grandmother why she saved used wrapping paper, she replied, “Waste not, want not.” a. If you are careful not to be wasteful, you will not find yourself in need of things. b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a wasteful person.

I didn’t want to move to a different town, but every cloud has a silver lining; I made lots of friends at my new school. a. You can find interesting shapes in every cloud in the sky. b. You can find something good in every bad situation.

I didn’t want to move to a different town, but every cloud has a silver lining; I made lots of friends at my new school. a. You can find interesting shapes in every cloud in the sky. b. You can find something good in every bad situation.

Here are some more common adages and proverbs Here are some more common adages and proverbs. Talk with a partner about what you think they mean. Look their meanings up on the computer to confirm. Pick your favorite to illustrate and share with your classmates. Birds of a feather flock together. Don't judge a book by its cover. The early bird gets the worm.   Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Better safe than sorry.     Never look a gift horse in the mouth.   The best things in life are free.   Two wrongs don't make a right.   Practice makes perfect. Do not remove a fly from your friend’s head with a hatchet. A bad penny always turns up. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. A fool and his money are soon parted. Actions speak louder than words. All that glitters is not gold. Beggars can’t be choosers. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

You are now quite a bit wiser than when we began talking about proverbs and adages. Think of your favorite adage or proverb. Think about the lesson or advice it illustrates. Who could use this advice? Think of someone from your life or from a book, and write a letter to him or her to share this proverb or adage. Explain in the letter why you think he or she should follow this advice. (An example is on the next slide.) Be ready to share with your classmates!

January 5, 2012 Dear Penelope, Hello there. How are you? I hope you are well. I have been thinking about the opportunities lately that you have passed up because you are so shy and scared of being with new people. Remember when our English teacher asked if we would work on the yearbook for this year? Remember how excited we were, until you said you couldn’t because you didn’t know much about putting a yearbook together or about photography? You also said you didn’t know the kids who already work on the yearbook. You know what I think? Nothing ventured, nothing gained! If you never give it a chance, how will you ever know if you like it or if you are good at it? You are very artistic, and I think you would be really good at it. It would be so fun if we could do it together. You may try it and not like it at all, but how will you ever know if you never even give it a shot? This is a perfect chance for us to make new friends too! Please take a chance with me. I will be right beside you and we can learn together. Think about it: Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Let me know what you think. Your friend, Yalanda

Now that you know about adages and proverbs, try to notice how often you hear them in conversation, on TV, in music lyrics, and in your books. When you hear them, jot them down to share in class! Make hay while the sun shines!