Lesson Plan: Language Arts: Poetry/Song: Ballads

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."
Discuss the following questions about the poem with your groupmates:
1. How many characters are there in the poem Who are they
2. Who is narrator in this poem
3. How old do you think the father in the poem is Why do you think so
4.Compare the relationship between the father and the son in the past and now.
5. Do you think this has been a happy or fulfilling relationship Why
6. What do you think the father feels about at this stage of his life Why
7. If you were the father in the song, what would you want to do most now
8. If you were a parent, what would you do so that you wouldn‟t fall in the same jam
9. Do you think this is a ballad Give reasons and evidence to support your answer.