Ben Will

Learning Materials

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

American EnglishAmerican Music Abroad
Gina Chavez

Artist: Ben Will

(Click to view Snapshots)

We have created lesson plans and a video series to use in the classroom. Scroll down to see all lesson materials or download the full package here.

Program Materials

Click the tabs below to access all the materials for Wordplay.

Below is an incredible collection from American English to provide fun new ways of teaching and learning English.

Use these files in conjunction with the song in this language package for an integrated teaching experience.

More available at https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Blade of Grass by Ben Will

It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind
It’s like a rainbow lasting ‘til 10 pm
It’s like a kiss blown by the sun
It’s like a cool drink of water on your tongue
It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind

I’ve got a feeling of joy inside of me
It’s way down deep and when
It starts moving around
There’s such a power, a shift, a lift I feel
You cannot steal because it’s mine
It was given to me
Influential, unconditional, follows me wherever I go

It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind
It’s like a rainbow lasting ‘til 10 pm
It’s like a kiss blown by the sun
It’s like a cool drink of water on your tongue
It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind

There’s so much shame
And pain, darkness, doom and gloom
You would assume that we would be forever broken and down
But there is an energy inside and we can be forever free and never bound by the conditions of doubt
It’s powerful, essential, if you know, then you know

It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind
It’s like a rainbow lasting ‘til 10 pm
It’s like a kiss blown by the sun
It’s like a cool drink of water on your tongue
It’s like a blade of grass dancing in the wind

(repeated 3x)

A2 Level Words

around- preposition, surrounding something; on each side

broken- adj., damaged or injured, no longer working

deep- adj., having a large distance from the top or surface to the bottom

follow-verb,  to come or go after or behind somebody in order to watch where they go

grown-verb, become bigger or taller as time passes

if-conjunction, used to say that something will happen only after something else happens or is true

kiss-noun, an act of kissing someone

lift-verb, to move something from a lower to a higher position

mine-pronoun, the things that belong or relate to the person who is speaking or writing

moving-verb, to change place or position, or to make something change place or position

so-adverb, used to emphasize the quantity, quality or amount of something

steal-verb, to secretly take something that does not belong to you,  without permission

such-determiner, used to emphasize a quality of someone or something

B1 Level Words

condition-noun, state that something or someone is in

doubt-noun, a feeling of being uncertain about something or not believing something

energy-noun, the power and ability to be very active without becoming tired

essential-adj., very important and necessary

forever-adverb, for all time in the future

lasting-verb, to continue to happen or exist

powerful-adj., having a lot of strength or force

tongue-noun, the large soft piece of flesh in the mouth which you can move and which you use for tasting, speaking, etc.
wherever-conjunction, in all places

B2 Level Words

assume-verb, to think that something is true, without question or proof

bound-adj., certain to happen

darkness-noun, when there is little or no light

free- adjective, not limited or controlled

joy-noun, something or someone that makes you feel very happy

pain-noun, sadness or mental suffering caused by an unpleasant event

rainbow-noun, a half circle of seven colors that you see in the sky when rain is falling and the sun is shining

way-noun, the direction in which something is facing or travels

C1/C2 Level Words

blade-noun, a single flat leaf of grass

influential-adj., having a lot of influence

doom-noun, unhappiness and feeling no hope for the future

power-noun, strength or force

shame-noun, when you feel embarrassed and guilty about something bad that you have done

shift-noun, a change in something

unconditional-adj. done or given without any limits and without asking for anything for yourself

For each heading in the materials, we have identified an icon to help instructors quickly find and identify information. Please use them when creating any new materials or adapting previous materials. The icon should be left justified and appear below the section heading. Any text should appear to the right of the icon.

 

ICON

MEANING

Activity Summary

Activity Summary

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Associated Audio

Associated Audio

Associated Video

Associated Video

Less Challenging

Less Challenging (for beginners)

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Listening

Listening

More Challenging

More Challenging (for advanced learners)

Online Tip

Online Tip

Reading

Reading

Speaking

Speaking

Writing

Writing

Snapshots

Gina Chavez

Click Image to View Snapshots!

Short question videos to use in the classroom to start new conversations in a modern “Stories” format. Break the ice in new groups or shake up the routine. Teachers can also pair these videos with games below.

SNAPSHOT ACTIVITIES

These short games can be used with the Snapshot videos for a quick activity in the classroom.

About The Artist

Ben Will Headshot

Ben Will

BIOGRAPHY

The Detroit-based Ben Will Band is a Gospel Soul Experience that takes pit stops in Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B, and Funk. Recognized by his kindhearted candor and versatile soul stirring tones, front man Ben Will guides audiences through crafted musical journeys which enlighten, provoke thought, and build community.

Support is provided by the captivatingly rich warm vocals of Jynn Cole, and the multi-instrumental side splitting trio of Gerald ‘PacMan, Dixon II, Alex “aone” Hoover, and Michael “Big Mike” Warren II. The groups individual talents have been lauded in Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and they’ve shared stages with musical greats such as Al Green, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Jonathan McReynolds, and Kanye West.e

As an ensemble, The Ben Will Band seeks to build safe creative spaces which remove stigma from the subjects of mental health and suicide prevention. With the tools of catchy melody, lush chords, and memorable melismas; The Ben Will Band is here to remind the hearts of all people, that it’s ok to smile!

Classroom Survey

Tell us what you think! Participants of Wordplay programs worldwide are asked to complete this survey to help us deliver better programs every time.

Click here to complete: https://forms.gle/8Go6kfbH3g7WX8Mu9

About the Office of English Language Programs

More great information for teachers to use in the English classroom can be found at: https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Promoting the learning and teaching of American English around the world is an integral part of the Department of State’s efforts to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Increasing the English language capacity of audiences overseas deepens and enriches their engagement with American counterparts and builds lasting bridges between cultures. English language learning is also key to increasing access to the many exchange programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and other academic and professional exchange opportunities in the United States, particularly for potential grantees from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In addition, English language programs advance the Department of State’s economic statecraft and foreign assistance goals by expanding access to the local and global job markets, particularly among youth.

The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

More information available at:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/

USA and State Department
Wordplay ECA/A/L
American Music Abroad
American Voices