Lesson Plan: Exploring Markus Natten’s "Childhood"

Lesson plan for Markus Natten's poem "Childhood" can help students explore themes of innocence, growing up, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Here’s a detailed lesson plan designed for high school students.

Lesson Plan: Exploring Markus Natten’s "Childhood"

Objective:

Students will analyze Markus Natten's poem "Childhood" to understand its themes, structure, and the poet’s perspective on the transition from childhood to adulthood. They will engage in discussions and activities to explore the poem’s meaning and relevance.

Grade Level: High School (Grades 9-12)

Duration: 50-60 minutes

Materials:

Copies of the poem "Childhood" by Markus Natten
Whiteboard and markers
Handouts with guiding questions
Audio recording of the poem (optional)
Projector or Smartboard (optional)

General Objectives
To develop an appreciation for poetry and poetic expression
To encourage critical thinking and self-reflection
To enhance literary and analytical skills
To relate the poem to the learner’s personal experiences
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Understand the theme and tone of the poem
Identify and explain the poetic devices used
Analyze the poet's journey from innocence to awareness
Reflect on the idea of loss of innocence
Learn new vocabulary in context
Students’ Work
Read and listen attentively
Participate in discussion and brainstorming
Complete the Venn diagram activity in pairs/groups
Answer reflective questions based on personal experiences
Identify and explain poetic devices in assigned stanzas

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):

Hook: Begin with a discussion about the concept of childhood. Ask students what childhood means to them and how they perceive the transition into adulthood.
Background: Provide a brief introduction to Markus Natten and the context of the poem. Explain that "Childhood" explores the theme of innocence and the inevitability of growing up.

2. Reading the Poem (10 minutes):

Read Aloud: Read the poem aloud to the class, or play an audio recording if available.
Initial Reactions: Ask students for their initial impressions and feelings about the poem.

3. Detailed Analysis (20 minutes):

Distribute Handouts: Give students handouts with guiding questions to help them analyze the poem.
Breakdown of the Poem:

Structure and Form: Discuss the poem’s structure, including its length, stanza arrangement, and overall flow.
Themes: Explore the major themes, such as the innocence of childhood, the loss of that innocence, and the transition to adulthood.
Imagery and Language:
- Imagery: Analyze the imagery used in the poem and how it conveys the contrast between childhood and adulthood.
- Language: Examine the poet’s choice of words and how they contribute to the poem’s overall mood and message.

Group Work: Divide students into small groups and assign each group one of the following aspects to analyze:

Theme of Innocence: How does the poem depict the innocence of childhood?
Transition to Adulthood: What imagery or language is used to show the transition from childhood to adulthood?
Emotional Impact: How does the poem make the reader feel about the loss of childhood?

Bloom’s Taxonomy Application

Level	Task
Remembering	Recall lines and vocabulary from the poem
Understanding	Paraphrase stanzas and meanings
Applying	Use poetic devices in original sentences
Analyzing	Compare the concept of childhood vs adulthood
Evaluating	Reflect on personal memories of growing up
Creating	Write a short stanza about their own childhood

Brief Summary of the Poem

"Childhood" is a reflective poem in which Marcus Natten contemplates the point in life when he lost his childhood. The poet explores growing awareness, disillusionment with adult hypocrisy, and the realization of his own identity. It’s a philosophical journey from innocence to experience.

Underlying Message

Loss of innocence is inevitable
Adulthood brings self-awareness but also hypocrisy
Growing up is both an external and internal transformation
Identity is something one must discover for themselves

Poetic Devices Used

Device	Example from the Poem	Function
Rhetorical Question	“When did my childhood go?”	Stimulates reflection
Alliteration	“Hell and Heaven”	Emphasizes contrast
Metaphor	“Time and tide”	Represents inevitable change
Enjambment	Poem flows without full stops at line ends	Maintains reflective tone
Antithesis	Contrast between childhood and adulthood	Highlights transformation

Difficult Words and Meanings

Word	Meaning
Hypocrisy	Pretending to be what one is not
Rationalism	Belief in reason and logic over emotion
Hell & Heaven	Spiritual belief of punishment and reward
Pretense	An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true
Personality	The combination of qualities that form an individual’s character

Activity-Based Learning

Activity 1: Venn Diagram (Group Work)

Students draw a Venn diagram comparing Childhood and Adulthood based on the poem and their own understanding.

Example:

Childhood	Both	Adulthood
Innocence	Experience of life	Hypocrisy awareness
Imagination	Self-identity development	Rational thinking
Belief in fantasy	Emotional growth	Disillusionment

Teacher's Work

Initiate a brainstorming session on "What does childhood mean to you?"
Recite and explain each stanza with paraphrasing
Display video/animated reading for auditory learners
Ask higher-order thinking questions based on Bloom's taxonomy
Facilitate group discussion and Venn diagram activity
Reinforce vocabulary and poetic devices

4. Class Discussion (10 minutes):

Share Findings: Have each group share their analysis with the class.
Synthesize: Discuss how the different elements of the poem come together to convey Natten’s perspective on childhood and growing up.

5. Reflection and Writing Activity (10-15 minutes):

Reflection: Ask students to write a short reflection on how the poem changes or reinforces their understanding of childhood and growing up. Prompt them to consider their own experiences.
Creative Writing: As an extension, have students write a short poem or narrative about a personal experience of growing up or a moment of transition from childhood to adulthood, drawing inspiration from Natten’s style.

6. Homework:

Comparison Assignment: Have students find another poem or literary work that deals with the theme of childhood or growing up and prepare a brief comparison of how it addresses the theme compared to Natten’s poem.

Assessment:

Participation: Evaluate student engagement during discussions and group activities.
Written Reflection: Assess the depth of understanding and personal engagement with the poem in their written reflections.
Creative Writing: Review students’ creative writing pieces for their ability to convey personal experiences related to the theme of childhood and growing up.

This lesson plan aims to help students deeply engage with the poem and understand its themes while encouraging personal reflection and creative expression.