Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature in English
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Introduction to “The Soul’s Errand” by Walter Raleigh.
Topic: Introduction to “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”
Subject Matter: Meaning of the poem “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”, background and setting of the poet and poem, subject matter and summary, effective use of poetic devices and techniques, effective use of imagery and symbolism

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Explain the meaning and subject matter of the poem “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”.
Identify the background and setting of the poet and the poem.
Summarize the poem effectively.
List and explain poetic devices and techniques used in the poem.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the poet’s message about integrity and fortune.
Value the use of imagery and symbolism in conveying themes.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss the poem’s themes and literary elements in groups.
Analyze how poetic devices contribute to the poem’s meaning.

Collaborate with peers to interpret different aspects of the poem.
Share their understanding and insights about the poem in class discussions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Effective Literature in English for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2
https://www.literature.com/upon-an-honest-mans-fortune
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43977/upon-an-honest-mans-fortune

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A copy of the poem “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”
A picture of stars in the sky
Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand the themes of integrity and fortune as explored in poetry. It enables them to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing literary devices and appreciating how poets use language to convey deep meanings.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of poetry appreciation, including identifying themes, poetic devices, and summarizing literary texts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Introduction to “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”

Background of the Poet and Poem

“Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune” is a poem by John Fletcher (1579-1625), a renowned English Jacobean playwright and poet. The poem reflects on the transient nature of worldly possessions and the enduring value of integrity and inner peace, often written during a period of social and economic uncertainty.

Summary of the Poem

The poem explores the idea that an honest man, though he may face misfortune and lack material wealth, possesses a greater treasure in his virtue and clear conscience. It contrasts the fleeting nature of external fortune with the lasting peace found in honesty, suggesting that true happiness comes from within, regardless of one’s financial status.

Poetic Devices and Techniques

The poet employs various devices to enhance the poem’s meaning and impact. These include:

Metaphor: Comparison of two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in words.
Imagery: Use of descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line (e.g., AABB, ABAB).
Tone: The author’s attitude towards the subject.
Theme: The central idea or message of the poem (e.g., integrity, fortune, inner peace).

Imagery and Symbolism

Fletcher uses rich imagery and symbolism to convey his message. Key examples include:

Stars: Often symbolizing destiny, hope, or divine guidance, contrasting with earthly misfortunes.
Fortune/Wealth: Symbolizing material possessions and external success, often depicted as fickle and unreliable.
Honest Man: Symbolizing virtue, moral integrity, and inner strength.
Light and Darkness: Often used to represent hope versus despair, or truth versus deceit.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to reflect on the meaning of “fortune” and “honesty,” guiding them to share their initial thoughts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and share their understanding of fortune and honesty.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the core concepts of the poem.

Step 2: Background and Setting of the Poem

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces John Fletcher as the poet and provides a brief overview of the historical context and setting that influenced the poem, explaining how it relates to the subject of integrity.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification regarding the poet’s background and the poem’s context.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the poet’s background and the historical context of the poem.

Step 3: Summary of the Poem

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads the poem aloud, then explains its subject matter and provides a detailed summary, highlighting the main ideas about an honest man’s fortune.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the reading, follow along with their poem texts, and discuss the poem’s meaning and summary.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the central message and narrative of the poem.

Step 4: Poetic Devices and Techniques

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and explain various poetic devices and techniques used in the poem, such as metaphors, personification, and rhyme scheme, providing examples from the text.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify poetic devices and discuss their effect on the poem’s meaning and impact.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to recognize and analyze poetic devices.

Step 5: Imagery and Symbolism

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a picture of stars in the sky and uses it to discuss the imagery and symbolism present in the poem, explaining how they contribute to the poem’s themes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture, identify symbolic elements within the poem, and discuss their interpretations.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how imagery and symbolism enhance the poem’s message.

Step 6: Group Discussion and Presentation

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides pupils into small groups and assigns each group a specific aspect of the poem (e.g., background, summary, devices, imagery) for discussion and a brief presentation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss their assigned aspects in groups and prepare to share their findings with the class.
Learning Point: Pupils deepen their understanding through peer collaboration and consolidate their learning.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Who is the poet of “Upon An Honest Man’s Fortune”?
Summarize the main message of the poem.
Mention two poetic devices used in the poem.
How does the poet use imagery in the poem?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson and assigns homework: “Read the poem again and write down any five new words you learned, along with their meanings.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are encouraged to continue their learning.

Lesson Keywords

Fortune – Wealth, success, or luck.
Honesty – The quality of being truthful and having moral integrity.
Poetic devices – Techniques used by a poet to create a specific effect (e.g., metaphor, simile).
Imagery – Visually descriptive or figurative language.
Symbolism – The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to identify more complex literary devices and explore the historical context in greater depth. For pupils needing additional support, the teacher will provide simplified summaries and focus on identifying basic themes and simpler poetic devices with guided questions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils have access to the poem text. Encourage active participation in group discussions. Pay attention to pupils’ understanding of abstract concepts like ‘fortune’ and ‘integrity’ and connect them to real-life situations to make the lesson more relatable. Emphasize that true wealth lies in character, not just material possessions.