Lesson plan: Class -9 : Unit 2 Poem - Poison tree

 

Lesson Plan – Unit 2 Poem: A Poison Tree

Class: IX
Subject: English
Unit: 2 – Poem
Title: A Poison Tree
Poet: William Blake
Duration: 45–60 Minutes

---

1. Learning Objectives

The teacher expects the students to:

1. Read and appreciate the poem A Poison Tree.

2. Understand the theme of anger, hatred, and forgiveness.

3. Identify poetic devices used in the poem.

4. Develop vocabulary and comprehension skills.

5. Realize the harmful effects of suppressed anger.

6. Learn the importance of expressing feelings honestly and peacefully.

---

2. Learning Outcomes

The teacher expects the students to:

     

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.

1. Recite the poem with proper pronunciation and expression.

2. Explain the central idea of the poem.

3. Identify the consequences of hidden anger.

4. Develop positive attitudes such as forgiveness and self-control.

5. Apply the moral values learned from the poem in everyday life.

---

3. Introduction

The teacher introduces the lesson by asking:

1. Have you ever been angry with a friend?

2. What do you usually do when you are angry?

3. Is it good to keep anger hidden in our hearts?

4. What may happen if we do not express our feelings?

5. How can we solve misunderstandings peacefully?

After the discussion, the teacher introduces the poem "A Poison Tree."

---

4. Reading and Understanding

Glossary

Word	Meaning
Wrath	Great anger
Foe	Enemy
Water’d	Nourished or encouraged
Deceitful	Dishonest
Wiles	Tricks or cunning actions
Beheld	Saw
Stole	Moved secretly
Veiled	Covered or hidden
Outstretched	Lying stretched out

Reading Activity

1. Teacher recites the poem with proper rhythm and expression.

2. Students read the poem individually and in groups.

3. Difficult words and meanings are explained.

4. Teacher discusses the symbolic meaning of the tree and the apple.

5. Students identify the emotions expressed in the poem.

---

5. Mind Map

Flow Chart of the Poem

                ANGER

                  │
                  ▼

      Angry with Friend
                  │
          Expressed Anger
                  │
                  ▼

          Anger Ended

                  │

      Angry with Enemy
                  │
      Did Not Express Anger
                  │
                  ▼

        Anger Continued
                  │
                  ▼

     Fear + Tears + Deceit
                  │
                  ▼

      Poison Tree Grew
                  │
                  ▼

       Bright Apple Grew
                  │
                  ▼

       Enemy Tempted
                  │
                  ▼

      Enemy Destroyed

                  │
                  ▼

      Moral: Hidden Anger
      Leads to Destruction

Concept Map

             A POISON TREE

                    │
     ┌──────────────┼──────────────┐
     │              │              │
   Anger         Hatred       Deceit
     │              │              │
     └──────────────┼──────────────┘
                    │
                    ▼
             Poison Tree
                    │
                    ▼
            Destruction
                    │
                    ▼
          Need for Forgiveness

---

6. Consolidation and Presentation

Summary of the Poem

The poet describes two situations involving anger. When he was angry with his friend, he expressed his feelings openly, and his anger disappeared. However, when he was angry with his enemy, he kept his feelings hidden. Instead of resolving the issue, he nourished his anger with fear, tears, and deceit. Gradually, his anger grew like a poisonous tree and eventually produced a bright apple. The enemy was attracted by the apple and entered the garden at night. In the morning, the poet found his enemy lying dead beneath the tree. Through this symbolic poem, the poet warns us that suppressed anger can grow into hatred and lead to harmful consequences.

---

7. Reinforcement

Additional Information

1. The poem is symbolic rather than literal.

2. The tree represents growing anger and hatred.

3. The apple symbolizes temptation and the harmful result of hidden anger.

4. Open communication helps solve conflicts peacefully.

5. Forgiveness promotes healthy relationships and mental well-being.

6. The poem teaches emotional intelligence and self-control.

Poetic Devices

Device	Example
Metaphor	Anger compared to a tree
Symbolism	Tree and apple symbolize hatred and its consequences
Rhyme	friend/end, foe/grow
Imagery	Bright apple, garden, night
Personification	Anger growing like a living tree

---

8. Evaluation

A. Lower Order Thinking Questions (LOT)

1. Who is the poet of A Poison Tree?

2. What happened when the poet told his wrath to his friend?

3. What grew on the poison tree?

B. Middle Order Thinking Questions (MOT)

1. Why did the poet's anger grow when dealing with his foe?

2. What do the tree and apple symbolize?

3. How does the poet nurture his anger?

C. Higher Order Thinking Questions (HOT)

1. What message does the poem convey about managing emotions?

2. How can hidden anger affect relationships and society?

3. Suggest healthy ways to express and control anger.

---

9. Remedial Teaching

Strategies for Slow Learners

1. Explain the poem line by line in simple language.

2. Use pictures showing a growing tree to explain symbolism.

3. Discuss real-life situations involving anger and forgiveness.

4. Provide a summary chart of the poem.

5. Conduct group reading and peer learning activities.

6. Teach difficult vocabulary using examples.

7. Ask simple oral questions after each stanza.

---

10. Writing

Written Activity

A. Answer the Following:

1. What happened when the poet expressed his anger to his friend?

2. Why did the anger grow when he hid it?

3. What lesson do you learn from the poem?

B. Paragraph Writing

Write a paragraph (100–120 words) on:

1. The Importance of Forgiveness

2. How to Control Anger

3. A Time When I Solved a Conflict Peacefully

C. Creative Writing

Imagine you are the poet's friend. Write a short note advising the poet on how to manage anger positively.

---

11. Follow-up

Homework / Assignment

1. Learn and recite the poem.

2. Write the glossary words and meanings.

3. List five positive ways to manage anger.

4. Draw a concept map showing the growth of anger in the poem.

Classroom Activity

1. Group discussion: “Is anger always harmful?”

2. Role play on resolving conflicts peacefully.

3. Poster making: “Choose Forgiveness, Not Hatred.”

4. Recitation competition of the poem.

---

Moral / Central Idea of the Poem

Anger that is expressed honestly can be resolved, but anger that is hidden and nourished grows into hatred and can lead to destruction. Open communication, forgiveness, and self-control are essential for healthy relationships and a peaceful life. 🌳🍎😊🤝