Teacher: ​ ​ Moises Martinez

Date:​ ​ ​ Monday, March 31, 2025, Week 9​

Subject: ​ ​ English B​
Topic:​​ ​ Themes in Poetry
Subtopic:​ ​ Human Nature & Forgiveness​
Class Level: ​ ​ Third Form (3-L)​
Class Size:​ ​ 32​
Age Range: ​ ​ 14 – 18​
Time and Duration: ​Fourth Period: 10:05 am- 11:35 am (45 minutes)​
Previous Knowledge: Students have examined the use of allegory, symbolism and allusions in
poetry, specifically in the poem A Stone’s Throw by Elma Mitchell. Students have also discussed
the main themes of the poem namely human evil, judgement and forgiveness. Activating this
previous knowledge will allow students to be open to furthering their understanding through
discussion of the themes found in A Lesson for This Sunday by Derek Walcott.

Content Standard:
●​ Standard No. 7 Develop effective strategies to improve comprehension skills.
●​ Standard No. 29 Read, analyze, plan, and write poems.
●​ Standard No. 46 Analyze, plan, write, and edit a short story.
(MOEYS Standards for Secondary Education, 2004)
Learning Outcomes:
●​ 7.5 Determine meaning of prose or poetry selections and share with others.
●​ 29.4 Write sonnets, haikus, quatrains, limericks, and ballads.
●​ 46.10 Write stories using a variety of prompts, such as pictures, titles, and beginning and
ending sentences
(MOEYS Standards for Secondary Education, 2004)
Behavioral Objectives
Students will be able to:
1.​ Engage in a gallery walk viewing various art pieces and sculptures and craft symbolic or
allusive connections and interpretations in a pair work activity. [Psychomotor Domain]
2.​ Discuss the literary allusions, allegory and symbolism in A Lesson for this Sunday by
Derek Walcott through a Think, Pair, Share activity and a whole class discussion.
[Cognitive Domain]
3.​ Discuss the themes of human fallibility and the loss of innocence through a whole class
discussion after playing a game of Split or Steal. [Cognitive/Psychomotor Domain]
Content/Concepts

Allusion Allegory Symbolism Themes

Slavery (Black The Fall of Man Butterfly: Represents Human Destruction:

Maid): The (Adam and Eve): fragility, innocence, The poem explores the
reference to the The children’s and purity. The destructive tendencies
black maid actions symbolize the destruction of the inherent in human
shaking linen and loss of innocence, butterfly represents the nature, as seen in the
singing alludes to a similar to Adam and inherent children’s cruelty and
legacy of slavery. Eve’s fall from grace. destructiveness of the man’s passivity.
humanity.

Adam and Eve Sin and The Man in the Inaction and Guilt:
(Children's Redemption: The Hammock: The man’s indifference
Behavior): The contrast between Symbolizes passivity, and failure to intervene
children's actions innocence and indifference, and the with the children’s
of torturing the cruelty serves as an failure to act in the cruelty emphasize
butterfly are a allegory of our face of evil, possibly moral indifference and
modern retelling of struggle with sin. alluding to God resting the guilt from doing
the fall of on the seventh day, but nothing.
innocence. also guilty of inaction.
Sunday (Title): Humanity's Summer Grass: Heredity of Cruelty:
Alludes to the Inherited Cruelty: Symbolizes the natural The line "Heredity of
Lord’s day and The generational world’s fragility and cruelty everywhere"
therefore, implies passing of sin and vulnerability to human connects to the inherited
that the themes and destructive destruction. tendency for destruction
teachings of this behaviors, and evil, linked to
poem is what we referencing historical humanity’s history
would be taught in cruelty like slavery (slavery, colonialism,
church. and colonialism, and etc.).
paralleling Adam and
Eve's original sin and
humanity's inherited
tendency for evil or
concupiscence.

Sunday (Title): Loss of Innocence: The

Symbolizes a day of children’s violent
rest and reflection, but actions reflect the loss
also suggests missed of innocence,
opportunities for moral symbolized by the
action. destruction of the
butterfly and the fragile
summer grass.

Split or Steal Game:

Students will be presented with the same 2 boxes and 2 slips of paper; one saying STEAL and
one saying SPLIT.
●​ If students both STEAL, they stay with nothing.
●​ If both say SPLIT they take half of the prize.
●​ If one says STEAL, and one says SPLIT, the STEAL will take the entire prize leaving the
other person with nothing.
Skills:
●​ Students will exercise their discussion skills by highlighting figurative elements, namely
allusions, symbolism and allegory and major themes in the poem A Lesson for this
Sunday by Derek Walcott.
●​ Students will practice their writing skills by writing an allegorical poem or short story
which incorporates major literary elements like allegory, allusions and symbolism.
Attitudes:
●​ Students will remain respectful to the teacher’s instructions and to their classmates at all
times especially during collaborative activities and presentations.
●​ Students will actively participate in class discussions, especially when sharing their
original poetry with the class.
Curricular Linkages
●​ Religion: The poem is religious in nature. The discussion will focus on human nature and
our tendency to do evil. It will also focus on human forgiveness.
●​ Media & Entertainment: The activity will explore human vices and the human ability
to lose their innocence as seen in TV game shows.
●​ Psychology: Mental manipulation will be crucial in the lesson activity.
●​ Creative Writing:The journal component of the lesson will require students to write an
original poem.
●​ History: Major allusions to the fall of man and man’s tendency to do evil as seen through
historical figures like Hitler or Stalin.
●​ Visual Art: Gallery walk will use famous paintings and sculptures in order for students
to craft symbolic and allusive connections and interpretations.

Teaching/Learning Resources
●​ Slide Presentation: Slides will allow for visual aids, notes and guided questions
throughout the lesson.
●​ Projector & Laptop: To project the notes on the board.
●​ Poem Copies: Copies for A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek Walcott.
●​ Guided Notes Copies: Students will get their notes at the start of the class.
●​ SPLIT or STEAL Cards: Two students will face off in a game of wit and manipulation
to get the prize by deciding to either split or steal the main prize.
●​ Typing Sheet: To write or draw their poems or short stories at the end of the session.
●​ Writing Utensils: To write their poems or stories.
●​ Whiteboard Markers: To write notes on the whiteboard if technology fails.
●​ Digital Randomizer: To choose a student during the sharing phase of the session.
●​ Cellphone: To record the session.
●​ Timer: To manage the time for the game; each student will have 1 minute to either
convince or decide whether they want to keep their boxes or exchange.
References:
Csecengl. (15 March, 2024). A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek Walcott- CSEC English B
Analysis. Retrieved from
https://csecenglishmadeeasy.com/2024/03/a-lesson-for-this-sunday-by-derek-walcott-csec
-english-b-analysis/
CSEC English B. (n.d.) Google Sites. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/view/csec-english-b/home?authuser=0
McWatt, M., & McDonald, H. S. (Eds).(2005). A World of Poetry. Heinemann International
Literature and Textbooks.
Randol,S.(12 July, 2020). Symbolism, Metaphor, Allegory, and Allusion, Explained. Medium
https://writingcooperative.com/symbolism-metaphor-allegory-and-allusion-explained-7fd
cdb7d4d05

Teaching Method to be used in this Lesson Plan & Definition

Direct Instruction Model
Direct Instruction is an instructional approach that involves clear, structured, and explicit
teaching of specific skills or content. The teacher leads the lesson, models the desired skills,
facilitates guided practice, and then allows for independent practice to reinforce the learning.

Lesson Procedure
Introduction (5 minutes)
1.​ Start class with a prayer.
2.​ Students will be asked to divide themselves into 2 major groups to play The Flyswatter
Game which consists of projecting the answers to several questions on the board. Once
the teacher asks a question, a member of each group will run to the board to smack the
answer on the board. The game will only last for the first (5 minutes) of the session.
3.​ The main responses on the board will be the literary devices which students have
discussed in previous lessons and will expand on in this session:
a.​ Allusion e.​ Symbolism i.​ Plot
b.​ Alliteration f.​ Metaphor j.​ Summary
c.​ Allegory g.​ Simile k.​ Hyperbole
d.​ Personification h.​ Themes l.​ Onomatopoeia
4.​ Once the activity has been completed, students will be told that their main objective for
the session will be to examine the main examples of allusions, symbolism, allegory and
major themes in the poem A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek Walcott. They will also be
responsible for engaging in a gallery walk expressing their thoughts on various paintings
& sculptures identifying symbolic meanings and allusions of these works of art.
a.​ Example: Venus de Milo:

●​ Possible symbolism: Powerlessness of women? How Defenseless we can

be.

Development (25- 30 minutes)

STEP 1: Introduction
5.​ To introduce the main concepts for the lesson, the students will be called to play yet
another game. This time they will volunteer to play a game called SPIT or STEAL,
where, students will be presented with a prize, but only one person will be claiming it,
a.​ If students both STEAL, they stay with nothing.
b.​ If both say SPLIT they take half of the prize.
c.​ If one says STEAL, and one says SPLIT, the STEAL will take the entire prize
leaving the other person with nothing.
6.​ Upon the conclusion of the activity, students will be reminded that though we have a
tendency to sin, it is also in our nature to be forgiven and to be loved by God. (3 minutes)
STEP 2: Presentation
7.​ At this point, through volunteer reading, the poem A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek
Walcott will be read aloud in the class for the first time. (2 minutes)
8.​ At this point, students will be asked:
a.​ What is the main lesson of this poem?
b.​ Is there a deeper significance?
9.​ It is expected that students will be confused by the poem so the teacher will proceed to
read an AI generated prose version of the poem. Not only should students better
understand the poem but this will also teach them that AI should not be used to write
poetry but can be a powerful tool in trying to understand it. (5 minutes)
STEP 3: Guided Practice
10.​After this second reading, students will once again be asked:
a.​ Why Sunday? Why not any other day? Does it have a special meaning?
b.​ What figures in the poem could make reference to other people in history?
c.​ What broader concepts can we appreciate from reading this poem?
d.​ What deeper message does this poem try to teach us? (5 minutes)
11.​These questions will guide students to the understanding of allusions, allegories,
symbolism and themes in the poem.
12.​Students will be asked to discuss any major themes, symbols, allusions or allegory they
noted from reading and superficially discussing the poem. (3 minutes)
13.​Once this discussion ends and the teacher has written the students’ ideas on the board,
they will receive a final note sheet which will contain a matrix of major themes, symbols,
allusions, and examples of allegory within the poem A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek
Walcott.
14.​Students will be asked to read over this matrix and identify any major questions or
concerns in preparation for the panel discussion on the last session. The teacher will
clarify any questions the students may have but will encourage the students to bring those
same questions for the panel discussion so the group presenting on the poem can
elaborate more on the response.
15.​The teacher will focus his attention on the main allusions in the poem which is the
reference to colonialism and the legacy of slavery and the burden of generational sin
passed down to us by Adam and Eve as seen through the little children.
16.​Students will then transition to the main activity of the lesson which will reinforce the
concept of symbolism, allusion and allegory with a gallery walk.
17.​Similar to the children, the maid or the resting man in the poem being powerful allusions
and symbolic representations of broader concepts and figures, so too can we find a deeper
meaning and greater appreciation for the things that surround us.
STEP 4: Independent Practice
18.​At the end of this discussion, students will be given clear instructions to work in their
panel groups to share ideas with each other on a gallery critique/walk where they will
craft symbolic interpretations for various sculptures and paintings which will be posted
around the classroom.
19.​Students will be shown an example prior to getting into groups with the discussion of the
Venus de Milo sculpture.
20.​Students will:
a.​ Be allowed to work in pairs and submit a list of their interpretations for as many
works of art as possible in the time provided.
b.​ Students will walk around the classroom in an orderly and quiet fashion.
Everyone will be encouraged to participate.
c.​ Students will be allowed to work alone. (10 minutes)
Closure (5 minutes)
STEP 5: Conclusion
21.​Just before submitting their work, students will be asked to share some of their paintings
and interpretations.
22.​Students will get immediate feedback and will be praised for having participated in the
class.
23.​Students will be asked to get back into their rows and turn in their pair/individual work.
Conclusion (3 minutes)
24.​Students will end the session with a whole class 3,2,1 activity asking for students to share
their thoughts..
a.​ What are 3 things you learned in this session?
b.​ What are 2 questions you still have?
c.​ What is one main takeaway from this lesson?
Extended Activity
25.​Students will be asked to take out their copies of A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek
Walcott and create 5 open ended discussion questions in preparation for the 4th group’s
panel discussion.

Teacher’s Reflection
Lesson Evaluation