Lesson Plan
Class 9 – English
Poem: "On Killing a Tree" – Gieve Patel
1. Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the teacher expects the students to:
Read the poem with correct pronunciation and rhythm.
Understand the central idea and poetic message.
Learn the meanings of new words used in the poem.
Identify poetic devices such as imagery, symbolism, repetition, and personification.
Appreciate the importance of trees and environmental conservation.
Develop critical thinking by interpreting the deeper meaning of the poem.
2. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
906 - reads aloud and recites poems/prose with proper stress, pause, tone, and intonation.
907 - reads with comprehension the given text/materials employing strategies like skimming, scanning, predicting, previewing, reviewing, inferring, and summarising.
908 - reads silently with comprehension and interprets layers of meaning.
922 - explains specific features of different literary genres for interpretation and literary appreciation.
923 - identifies and appreciates significant literary elements, such as, metaphor, imagery, symbol, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, intention or point of view, rhyme scheme, themes, titles, etc.
Explain why a tree cannot be killed easily.
Describe the stages involved in killing a tree.
Infer the symbolic meaning of the poem.
Recognize the importance of protecting nature in daily life.
Develop a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Express their thoughts on the importance of trees through speaking and writing.
3. Introduction
The teacher begins the lesson by asking the following questions:
Have you ever planted or watered a tree?
Why are trees important to humans and other living beings?
Can a tree be killed by simply cutting its branches?
How long does it take for a tree to grow?
What will happen if all the trees disappear from the Earth?
Motivation:
The teacher shows pictures of healthy forests and barren lands and asks students to compare them. The teacher then introduces the poem by saying that although the title is On Killing a Tree, the poet actually teaches us to respect and protect trees.
4. Reading and Understanding
Teacher's Activity
Reads the poem aloud with proper stress and intonation.
Explains difficult words and expressions.
Encourages students to read the poem in groups and individually.
New Words and Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jab | A quick sharp blow |
| Consuming | Taking in, absorbing |
| Crust | Outer layer of the earth |
| Leperous | Rough, uneven surface |
| Hack | Cut roughly |
| Chop | Cut into pieces |
| Bark | Outer covering of a tree |
| Twigs | Small branches |
| Boughs | Large branches |
| Anchoring | Holding firmly |
| Snapped | Broken suddenly |
| Exposed | Revealed |
| Scorching | Burning intensely |
| Choking | Preventing growth |
| Withering | Drying and dying |
5. Mind Map
ON KILLING A TREE
│
┌────────────────┼────────────────┐
│ │ │
Growth of Tree Cutting Alone Uprooting
│ │ │
Slow growth over Tree heals Root pulled out
many years and grows completely
│ │ │
Sunlight, Air, New twigs Root exposed
Water, Earth appear to sun and air
│
▼
Tree finally dies
Moral:
Trees are strong and valuable.
We should protect them instead of destroying them.
6. Consolidation and Presentation (Summary)
The poem describes how difficult it is to kill a tree. A tree grows slowly over many years by absorbing sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from the earth. Merely cutting its branches or trunk cannot kill it because it has the power to heal and produce new shoots. To destroy a tree completely, its roots must be pulled out from the earth and exposed to the sun and air until they dry and die. Through this description, Gieve Patel reminds us of the strength of nature and indirectly urges us to conserve trees and protect the environment.
7. Reinforcement
Additional Information
Poet: Gieve Patel (1940–2023) was an Indian poet, playwright, painter, and physician.
Trees release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
They prevent soil erosion and help maintain ecological balance.
A mature tree can support many birds, insects, and animals.
Deforestation causes global warming, climate change, and loss of biodiversity.
Afforestation and tree plantation help protect the environment.
Life Skill:
Students should develop the habit of planting and caring for trees to create a greener and healthier environment.
8. Evaluation
A. Lower Order Thinking Questions (Remembering)
Who is the poet of On Killing a Tree?
What does the tree absorb from nature?
Can a simple jab of the knife kill a tree?
B. Middle Order Thinking Questions (Understanding/Applying)
Why does the tree grow again after it is cut?
What happens when the root is exposed to the sun and air?
Explain the process of killing a tree in your own words.
C. Higher Order Thinking Questions (Analysing/Evaluating)
Why do you think the poet chose the title On Killing a Tree instead of Saving a Tree?
What message does the poem convey about environmental conservation?
If trees disappear from the Earth, what will be the consequences for human life?
9. Remedial Teaching
For slow learners, the teacher will:
Explain the poem stanza by stanza using simple language.
Use pictures and videos to explain tree growth and uprooting.
Teach difficult vocabulary with flashcards.
Conduct pair reading with advanced learners.
Ask simple oral questions to check understanding.
Use a flowchart to explain the sequence of events in the poem.
10. Writing Activity
Ask students to complete any one of the following:
Write 10 lines on the importance of trees.
Prepare a poster with the slogan "Save Trees, Save Life."
Write a short paragraph explaining the moral of the poem.
Write five ways in which you can protect trees in your locality.
11. Follow-up (Homework/Assignment/Activity)
Homework
Learn the poem and the meanings of the new words.
Write the summary of the poem in about 100 words.
Assignment
Collect information about five trees commonly found in your area and write their uses.
Classroom Activity
Plant a sapling in the school or at home and maintain a "Tree Care Diary" for one week by recording its growth and care.
Values Inculcated
Love for nature
Environmental awareness
Responsibility towards society
Respect for all living beings
Conservation of natural resources
