General Profile
Name of the student-teacher: [Your Name]
Roll Number: A
Name of School: ABC
Class to Teach: 9th
Subject to Teach: English
Topic to Teach: The Gift of the Magi
Type of Topic: Prose
Duration: 45 min
General Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the story and its theme.
- Improve reading with correct pronunciation, stress, and intonation.
- Expand vocabulary and improve language usage.
- Express their thoughts orally and in writing.
- Develop empathy and an appreciation for selfless love.
Specific Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Recall the background of the author, O. Henry.
- Read the passage aloud with correct pronunciation, stress, intonation, and pause.
- Explain the meaning of difficult words.
- Comprehend the main events and moral of the story.
- Answer the comprehension questions with clarity.
- Relate the story’s theme to their own experiences of giving.
Teaching Aids
- Chart with main questions about the story.
- Flashcards for vocabulary words.
- Blackboard and chalk.
Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
- How to read a simple story in English.
- Basic vocabulary and sentence structures.
Setting the Stage (Introduction)
Teacher’s Activities | Students’ Activities |
Ask questions to elicit personal experiences: Have you ever given someone a gift? Why do we give gifts? | Students answer freely (e.g. birthday gift, holiday gift, to make someone happy). |
Topic Announcement
Today we will read the short story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry — a story about true love and sacrifice.
Listen to the summary of the story
Presentation
Modal Reading by Teacher
The teacher reads aloud the first 2-3 paragraphs of the story with proper expression.
Students listen carefully.
Loud Reading by Students
Teacher asks a few students to read sections aloud.
Students practice pronunciation, intonation, and pauses.
Silent Reading
Students read the full assigned text silently.
Difficult Words with Meaning
The teacher lists difficult words on the board and explains them with examples:
Word | Meaning |
Magi | Wise men |
Sacrifice | Giving up something valuable for someone |
Pennies | Small coins |
Shabby | Worn-out look |
Precious | Very valuable |
Gift | Present given to someone |
Paragraph Explained
Teacher’s Activities:
Explain the story:
Jim and Della are a poor couple who deeply love each other. On Christmas Eve, Della sells her beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim’s cherished watch. Jim, in turn, sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. Even though they cannot use their gifts, they realize that their true treasure is their selfless love.
Comprehension Questions
- Why was Della sad at the beginning of the story?
- What did Della do to buy Jim’s gift?
- What was Jim’s sacrifice?
- What is the main message of the story?
(Students answer. Teacher writes good responses on the board to appreciate students’ efforts.)
Summary of the Lesson
The teacher briefly summarizes the story in English:
- Della and Jim loved each other deeply and were willing to sacrifice their most prized possessions to make each other happy.
- Even though their gifts became unusable, they learned that their love was the most important gift of all.
Recapitulation
Teacher asks:
- Why did Della sell her hair?
- What did Jim sell to buy the combs?
- What does this story teach us about selfless giving?
- Why did Della sell her hair?
Homework
- Make meaningful sentences using these words: precious, shabby, Magi, sacrifice, treasure.
- Write a short paragraph (50-60 words) about a time you gave someone a special gift.
- Find one proverb or saying about giving or generosity and write its meaning.
Some engaging, hands-on activities that a teacher can implement during or after the lesson to make “The Gift of the Magi” truly enjoyable and memorable for your students.
Role-Play: Gift-Giving Scene
Students in pairs: One plays Della and the other plays Jim.
Task:
- Write a short, 4–6 line dialogue where Della and Jim exchange their gifts.
- Perform the scene in front of the class, using emotions like surprise, joy, and love.
A dialogue example to help the teachers and students-
Della: Merry Christmas, Jim! I sold my hair to buy you this chain for your watch.
Jim: Oh, Della! Thank you. But I sold my watch to buy you these combs for your hair.
Della: Combs? Jim, my hair is gone.
Jim: That’s okay, Della. You are my most special gift!
Rewrite the Ending (Writing Activity)
Students individually write:
- A short paragraph imagining a different ending to the story — one where they keep their most valuable belongings.
- Share some of the most creative versions aloud.
A few Examples-
The Surprise Picnic
Just before Della cuts her hair and Jim sells his watch, they accidentally see each other at the shop. Realizing what the other was going to do, they laugh, hug, and decide to spend Christmas Eve preparing a surprise picnic at the park. Under the stars, they share sandwiches and stories, feeling richer than ever.
The Handmade Gifts
Jim and Della change their minds and keep their hair and watch. Instead, they make handmade gifts for each other — Della paints a beautiful picture of Jim, and Jim carves a small wooden jewelry box for Della. They treasure these simple presents forever because they were made with love.
The Music and Dance Night
Della and Jim discover each other’s plan and decide not to sell anything. Instead, they clear the furniture at home, put on some music, and dance together by the light of the Christmas tree. They laugh, talk, and enjoy each other’s company all night long.
The Baking Surprise
When Della and Jim realize they were both going to sell their most treasured things, they go home and bake a cake together. They invite their neighbors and friends for a joyful Christmas party. Everyone eats, sings carols, and celebrates, making the evening more special than any store-bought gift could.
Theme Detective
Students’ Task:
- Give students a list of possible themes (e.g. love, sacrifice, generosity, wealth, honesty).
- Have them work in pairs to find examples from the story that support each theme.
- End with a short discussion on which theme they believe is most important
“If It Were Me…” Discussion
Students’ Task:
- Ask students to put themselves in Jim or Della’s shoes.
- Would they sell their most treasured belonging to make someone else happy?
- Have them explain why or why not to the class or in small groups.