Students brainstorm some of the figures of speech, idioms, they have heard. List these on the board.
Next, instruct students to illustrate the literal meaning of an idiom. Each student should illustrate a different idiom.
Bring the class together to share their illustrations. Divide a sheet of chart paper in half vertically. In the first column, write the idioms the students have illustrated, and in the second column, write the everyday meaning of the idiom.
Continue the lesson by instructing students to create their own sayings. The class will guess what the student created idioms mean.
Guru Drive, “The Wonder Road,” was built between 1978 and 1992. It is located at the far southern area of the Black Rock Desert Playa, 2 miles north of Gerlach, Nevada, a small town with one restaurant and one gas station. Duane “Dooby” Williams began creating this rock lined road by carving sayings and philosophy on the flat stones. There are also several small structures along the road. A stick and grass hut called “The Desert Broadcasting System” has glassless television screens instead of windows. “Ground Zero” is a creation built with rocks of different colors in concentric circles. Black rays extend from a bright white center. The area is now maintained by the Friends of Black Rock/High Rock.
Listed below are some of the sayings a traveler will see on the rocks.
No matter what you think of this road, remember the price is right.
Welcome. No charge. No red lights.
A story with no beginning and no end.
Destination unknown.
Each move you make makes a mark. Words are the only thing that last forever.
The human race is like a watch. It takes all the parts to make it work.
A foundation built on truth will last forever. I tried it twice.
Before you kill a snake, think hantavirus.
Gerlach Weather Station. If rock above is moving, wind’s blowing Wet, it’s raining…white, snowing.
The Guru says, “Rejoice in the success of others.”
Be very proud of who you are. We are all special in our own way.
Things are anchors.
Are you greedy? Hogs get slaughtered.
You are born in this world knowing everything there is to know.
Women spend millions to look great, then complain when men whistle.
Keep it simple.
Let what is wild be free and free the rest…Let freedom ring.