Red Light/ Green Light

Red Light/ Green Light was designed as a learning center activity in which students practiced working with idioms. I have used some of the activities as whole group lessons in conjunction with Marvin Terban's book "Mad as a Wet Hen, a book of idioms."

If you choose to develop this as a learning center, write the title on a file-folder and draw a stoplight on the cover. Write the idioms on the inside back cover. Create a pocket on the inside front cover. Write the activities on index cards to place in the pocket. Laminate everything for durability.

If you choose to do this with your entire class, simply display the idioms on the chalkboard, overhead projector, or pocket chart and assign the activities as you see fit.

The Idioms:

• blood-red: having the deep-red color of blood
• in the red: in debt
• paint the town red: have an exciting time
• red carpet treatment: extra-special treatment
• red letter day: memorable or happy day
• red tape: complicated procedure
• sees red: is angry

• greenbacks: paper currency
• greenhorn: inexperienced person
• green with envy: jealous
• green thumb: a talent for growing plants
• green around the gills: ill

The Activities:

1. Illustrate each of the idioms to show their literal meaning.
2. Use each of the idioms in sentences of your own.
3. Research the origin of the idioms.
4. Make a list of other colors and any idioms associated with them.
5. Use some of thes idioms in sentences of your own.
6. Illustrate some of your idioms literal meanings.