Teacher Activity for “Never Say Never,” Adjective Clauses

Description: This song can be used to teach adjective clauses.

Before the song (choose one or more of the following):
1. Ask students to think of appropriate adjectives for the nouns in
these sentences:
The gun was given to the girl. (Example: loaded gun, little girl)
The book took the man time to read. (Example: science book, old
man, a long time)
Mrs. Pembrook wanted to give her daughter advice.
(Example: the overbearing Mrs.
Pembrook, disobedient
daughter, unsolicited advice)
2. Explain that sometimes one word is not enough to describe a
person. Consider, for example, that a man loves chocolate cake.
We could not say “the chocolate-cake loving man” because it is
too awkward. So we use an adjective clause instead.
2. Explain to students that an adjective clause, like all clauses,
contains (at the very least) of a connector, a subject, and a verb.
3. This song expresses a sentiment that is very common. It talks
about how some people view us, and how we view ourselves.
You may wish to have people come up with two lists: a list of
adjectives others use to describe them, and the list that THEY
would use to describe themselves. Discuss differences between
the two lists.
During the song (choose one or more of the following):
1. Have students follow the directions on the activity sheet that
provides the lyrics.
2. Stop the song at the end of a noun and have students add their
own phrases (i.e.: I am a man who loves babies, I’m a girl who
always eats too much)
After the song (choose one or more of the following):
1. Have students discuss the meaning of the song by answering
these questions in pairs:
a. What does the singer think about himself?
b. What does the singer say others think about him?
c. Have you ever felt this way? When?
d. What does it mean to “belong”?
e. Have you ever felt that you didn’t belong? When?
f. Have you ever been laughed at? Share an
experience.
g. What kind of person are you?
Creative ideas (For more creative ideas, go to “Creative Ideas” on
the homepage.)
1. Use the flashcards to continue working on the grammatical
elements of adjective clauses.
 2. Have students practice adjective clauses through compliments.
Have them write private notes that say kind things about other
students in the class.
Example: Maria is the girl who never gets angry.
John is the man who is always smiling.
Jessica is the woman who has good fashion sense.
“Never Say Never,” Adjective Clauses (student activity)

Directions: This song has an adjective clause in every italicized line. Adjective clauses
follow nouns. Find the adjective clauses by circling the nouns and then underlining the
adjective clauses. The first one is done for you.

Let me tell you something that I’ve seen.

Maybe you’ve been there, and will know what I mean…
There are those who laugh when you can’t say a word.
There are people who say the way I talk is absurd.
There are those who say that we just don’t belong.
These are the reasons that I sing this song.
So if you want to sing with me,
sing out loud if you agree:
I’m a man who never says never.
I’m a boy that will work hard forever.
There are things that I don’t understand,
but I’m the kind of person that knows that I can.
There are people that laugh right into my face.
There are those who feel I’m just taking up space.
There are those who say I’m not one of their kind.
Can’t I join those who have some peace of mind?
Well, if you want to sing with me,
sing out loud if you agree:
I’m a man who never says never.
I’m a boy that will work hard forever.
There are things that I don’t understand,
but I’m the kind of person that knows that I can.
I’m the kind of person that knows that I can.