WORKSHEET A 1 Words Watch the video. Work together and come up with at least five words about the refugee theme.
M.I.A. Borders [Intro] Freedom, 'I'dom, 'Me'dom Where's your 'We'dom? This world needs a brand new 'Re'dom We'dom - the key We'dom the key'dom to life! Let's be 'dem We'dom smart phones Don't be dumb! [Verse 1] Borders (What's up with that?) Politics (What's up with that?) Police shots (What's up with that?) Identities (What's up with that?) Your privilege (What's up with that?) Broke people (What's up with that?) Boat people (What's up with that?) The realness (What's up with that?) The new world (What's up with that?) Am gonna keep up on all that [Hook] Guns blow doors to the system Yeah fuck 'em when we say we're not with them We're solid and we don't need to kick them This is North, South, East and Western [Verse 2] Queen (What's up with that?) Killing it (What's up with that?) Slaying it (What's up with that?) Your goals (What's up with that?) Being bae (What's up with that?) Making money (What's up with that?) Breaking internet (What's up with that?) Love wins (What's up with that?) Living it (What's up with that?) Being real (What's up with that?) [Hook] Guns blow doors to the system Yeah fuck 'em when we say we're not with them We're solid and we don't need to kick them This is North, South, East and Western
[Bridge] We representing peeps, they don't play us on the FM We talkin' in our sleep, they still listen on a system We sittin' on a stoop Where we get a scoop This is how we keep it cool This is how we do [Verse 3] Egos (What's up with that?) Your values (What's up with that?) Your beliefs (What's up with that?) Your families (What's up with that?) Histories (What's up with that?) Your future (What's up with that?) My boys (What's up with that?) My girls (What's up with that?) Freedom (What's up with that?) Your power (What's up with that?) [Hook] Guns blow doors to the system Yeah fuck 'em when we say we're not with them We're solid and we don't need to kick them This is North, South, East and Western [Bridge] We representing peeps, they don't play us on the FM We talkin' in our sleep, they still listen on a system We sittin' on a stoop Where we get a scoop This is how we keep it cool This is how we do [Outro] Gonna keep up on all that Gonna be doing it like that
WORKSHEET B 1 Vocabulary Box Read Borders by M.I.A. 1. Are there any unfamiliar words? Write them down in the vocabulary box below. 2. Exchange with your neighbour. If there are words both of you don t know, find their meaning in the dictionary. Word Meaning Translation 2 Work in groups The text is divided into three parts. Which part is your group working on? Intro + Verse 1 Hook + Verse 2 Bridge + Verse 3 3 Discuss in groups Read your part of the text more closely. Take five minutes to discuss as a group. Be prepared to share your findings with the rest of the class later. Some questions to help you get started:
1. What is the text about? How can you tell? 2. Are there any words or sentences that stand out? Which ones? Why? 3. How does the text make you feel? Why? 4. Do you relate to the text? How? 5. Is there a hidden message or question? 4 Discuss in class Watch the music video for Borders by M.I.A. Now exchange your group answers and opinions with the rest of the class. Also try to discuss if and how the music video matches the lyrics.
WORKSHEET C 1 On the run Many people in Syria were living quite a peaceful life until recently. They had a job or went to school. In the evening they would play football with their team, or they would watch television with their friends. Now imagine: You're on the couch with your friends, watching your favourite television series and having a great time. Suddenly, bombs are dropping around your house and your parents tell you that you are all to leave as quickly as possible in order to survive. You run up to your bedroom to grab as many of your belongings as you can and throw them in a suitcase. What would you take with you and why? Draw or write down the first five things you would pack. Give every item a number. Use the lines below the suitcase to explain why you have chosen these items.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2 Write a verse At this very moment, there are thousands of refugees coming over to the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Many of them are on run from a terrible war. What do you think about this whole situation? What should we do about those families that have just survived a dangerous boat crossing across the sea? Do you think it's our responsibility to help them? Why and in what way? Or do you think it's better to send them back? Why? Write an extra verse of five to ten lines in English for the song Borders in which you describe your reaction or solution to the refugee crisis. Try to stick as close to the style of the song. Use the song by M.I.A. as a refence.