This is Jody’s Fawn-Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings/Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: “This is Jody’s Fawn”

Class: VIII
Subject: English
Book: Honeydew (NCERT)
Lesson: This is Jody’s Fawn by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Duration: 2 Periods (35–40 mins each)
Board: CBSE

I. General Objectives

To develop students’ appreciation of literary texts.
To improve reading, speaking, and comprehension skills.
To develop values such as compassion and responsibility.

II. Specific Objectives

Students will be able to:

Read the story fluently and with expression
Understand the plot, characters, and setting
Analyze the emotional and moral aspects of Jody's actions
Build vocabulary and sentence structure through contextual understanding
Express their views through writing and speaking activities

III. Teaching Learning Materials (TLM)

Textbook: Honeydew
Audio version of the story
Chart papers and markers
Flashcards (Vocabulary)
Mind map (printed or digital)
Venn diagram handouts
Visuals of forest, deer, and farm life
Smartboard or projector (if available)

IV. Introduction (Engagement Activity)

Ask students:

“Have you ever taken care of a young animal or pet?”
Show a short 1-minute clip of a fawn and its caretaker
Briefly explain the context: A young boy saves and adopts a fawn whose mother was killed to save his father.

V. Presentation (Explanation of Content)

Summary:

Jody’s father is bitten by a snake and saved by using a doe’s liver. Jody feels it’s his responsibility to care for the orphaned fawn. Despite others’ doubts, he goes into the forest, finds the fawn, and brings it home. The story is a touching tale of empathy, responsibility, and emotional maturity.

VI. Mind Map

Main Theme: Empathy and Responsibility

THIS IS JODY’S FAWN

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Characters Setting Emotions

- Jody - Forest - Love

- Penny - Farm - Care

- Doc Wilson - Guilt

- Hope

Plot Points:

- Father saved by doe's liver

- Jody decides to care for the fawn

- Journey into the forest

- Bringing the fawn home

VII. Venn Diagram

Comparison Between Jody and a Typical Child

Traits	Jody	Typical Child
Responsibility	Feels duty to care for fawn	May not recognize such duties
Courage	Goes into forest alone	May fear such risks
Compassion	Deep empathy for animals	Varies; less mature response
Maturity	Acts with adult-like reasoning	Usually acts on impulse

VIII. Vocabulary Building

Orphaned
Sacrifice
Yearling
Clattered
Cringe
(Use flashcards and sentence formation)

IX. Activities

Listening:

Audio narration of the story (or teacher reads aloud)

Speaking:

Role-play: Jody convincing his mother
Group discussion: “Would you adopt the fawn?”

Reading:

Read paragraphs in turns with emotion and fluency

Writing:

Paragraph: “If I were in Jody’s place...”
Diary entry from Jody’s perspective after bringing the fawn home

Grammar:

Identify and underline past tense verbs
Pick adverbs and adjectives from the passage

X. Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will:

Demonstrate comprehension through Q&A
Express moral reasoning through writing
Use new vocabulary in sentences
Show empathy in discussion and expression

XI. Moral of the Story

Empathy and responsibility are essential values. Jody’s decision shows that age doesn’t define maturity—our choices and intentions do.

XII. Takeaway / Life Skills

Empathy for animals and others in need
Courage to do what’s right
Responsibility beyond self-interest

XIII. Assessment

Formative:

Class discussion participation
Vocabulary quiz
Homework paragraph writing

Summative:

Short test with MCQs, short answers, and value-based questions