A House, A Home

Lorraine M. Halli

Poem:

A House, A Home

What is a house? 

It's brick and stone

And wood that's hard.

Some window glass

And perhaps a yard. 

It's eaves and chimneys

And tile floors

And stucco and roof

And lots of doors. 

What is a home? 

It's loving and family

And doing for others. 

It's brothers and sisters

And fathers and mothers. 

It's unselfish acts

And kindly sharing

And showing your loved ones

You're always caring. 

Theme:

The poem, 'A House, A Home written by Lorraine M. Halli is the comparison between the house and home. The poet says that the house becomes only home when there is loving family, caring for each other. 

Summary:

The poem ‘A House, A Home’ is written by Lorraine M. Halli. The poet highlights the difference between a house and a home. A house consists of rooms, a kitchen, a balcony etc which are made up of bricks, stone, wood and glass. Some houses may have a yard, chimneys and tiled floors. There are some cemented structures, but no signs of life. Thus, a house is a lifeless building unless it is occupied by people.
A home on the other hand is a place where a family lives with love and affection. A house becomes a home when parents along with brothers and sisters live together and care for each other. They understand each other well. The family members work for the welfare of the family selflessly. They are kind towards each other and help each other in all ups and downs.

Glossary:

                                            

Word	Explanation	Urdu Meaning
Yard	a piece of land next to a house (Courtyard)	گھر سے متصل زمین، آنگن
Eaves	the edge of a roof that sticks out over the top of a wall	چھجہ، چھت کا نچلا لارا
Chimney	a Halloween structure that allows the smoke from a fire place to escape to the air outside	چمنی، ایک طرح کی پایہ جس کے زریعے دواں باہر نکلتا ہے
Stucco	a type of plaster used for covering walls and ceilings	ایک قسم کا پلستر جو دیواروں اور چھت پر کیا جاتا ہے
Unselfish	selfless, honest	ایماندار
Kind	very humble	مہربان، شفیق

Working With the Poem:

1. Do you agree with what the poet says? Talk to your partner and complete these sentences. 

I. A house is made of ______________

II. It has ________________

III. A home is made by _____________

IV. It has _________________

Answer: Yes, I completely agree with the poet. Good house can not made good home, but good home certainty makes good house. 

I. A house is made of bricks, stones, wood, windows, glass etc

II. It has yard, eaves, chimneys, tile floors, stucco, roofs and doors. 

III. A home is made by loving family, unselfish acts, kindly sharing.

IV. It has brothers, sisters, father, mother. 

2. Now complete these sentences about your house and home. 

I. My house is_______________________

II. The best thing about my home is______________

Answer: Insist students to write answer to these questions themselves.