TITLE:   Introducing 'Communication Talent' with
                  "Casey at the Bat"

AUTHOR:     Francis A. Emery; Davis School, Vernal, Utah

GRADE LEVEL:     Third, Fourth, Fifth

OVERVIEW:

"Casey at the Bat" covers the six talents in the Communication Talent of 
Talents Unlimited, a critical and creative thinking skills model.

PURPOSE:

Introduction to the six talents in the Communication Talent in Talents 
Unlimited and provide a Whole Language experience with "Casey at the 
Bat."

OBJECTIVES:

The learner will generate words to describe Casey.

The learner will generate words to describe how Casey feels before and 
        after he strikes out.

The learner will generate similies.

The learner will generate a similar experience to Casey's.

The learner will write a network of ideas which show what happened from 
        Casey's point of view.

The learner will pantomime hitting a home run and striking out.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

Read the poem "Casey at the Bat" to entire class.

Talk:  Use your Communication 1 talent and share with us many varied 
words to describe how Casey looks and acts. I'll chart your responses.

Talk:  Use your Communication 2 Talent and share with us many varied 
words to describe how Casey feels before and after he strikes out.  I'll 
chart your responses.

Talk:  Use your Communication 3 Talent and share with us many varied 
responses to this simile--"A strike-out is as embarrassing as ________.   
Also this one--"A home-run is spectacular like ____________.

Talk:  Use your Communication 4 Talent and share with us personal 
experiences which are like Casey's.

Talk:  Use your Communication 6 Talent and use your body to share with us 
what Casey looked like when he struck out.

Talk:  Use your Communication 5 Talent and write a network of ideas to 
show what happened from Casey's standpoint.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

Copy of poem, "Casey at the Bat," chart paper, pens, paper and pencils.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:

Talk:  In your Cooperative Group use  your Forecasting Skill to predict the 
effects of Casey striking out.  Use your Decision Making Skill to decide 
which one you like best. Use your planning Skill to plan a play showing 
what happened after Casey struck out.  Use your Communication  Skill 5 to
write the play.  Present to class as a Culminating Activity.