Wordsworth's Poetical Works Lesson Plan

What's Childhood?

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

To understand what Wordsworth thinks about childhood and how it compares to other views.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1

Structure:

This is the first part of an extended discussion on the theme of childhood in Wordsworth's work.

Today, let the focus be on the difference between childhood and adulthood and the process of growing up. Guide students to discuss what they believe Wordsworth thinks about how children have special gifts, and if and how they lose them when they become adults. Have excerpts from "Immortality Ode" that are particularly...