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Comprehension Lesson Plans

A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.

Create A Playbill

by Lindsay Price

Students create a play program for a curriculum text based on their knowledge of the text and given criteria. This can be done physically in class using markers and magazine pictures, and online resources such as pixabay.com and canva.com.

# Comprehension

Group Musical Poster

by Matthew Banaszynski

Students will read the description of a musical then break into groups to create a poster for the show. Each group will present their poster to the class and explain their representation. Note: This lesson works well if students have had a basic introduction to musical theatre.

# Group Activities # Comprehension # Musical Theatre # poster # musical theatre

Human Story Board

by Karen Loftus

This is a great exercise to allow students to create original stories. Students literally make a “human story board” by standing in a line and adding in various elements of a story. The story begins with a beginning, middle, and end and then the students add main ideas and details to round out the entire story.

# Comprehension

Jabberwocky

by Karen Loftus

Beware the the Jabberwock! Not really, it’s actually a wonderful poem to use with students to get them to use their imaginations, rely on context clues, and explore word sounds and basic imagery. In this exercise, students will analyze a stanza from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll in order to create a performance based on that analysis. This exercise is a great springboard into approaching Shakespeare.

# Comprehension # Shakespeare

Jobs in Theatre

by Elisabeth Oppelt

This lesson diagrams the main roles in a theatre. Students complete a graphic organizer describing each of these roles and allows students to decide which job appeals to them the most.

Includes a slide show.

# Comprehension

Movie Lesson Plan: The Greatest Showman - Fact vs Fiction

by Lindsay Price

A movie lesson plan includes a question sheet, and/or a Reflection, and/or a viewing quiz to prompt students to engage with what they’re watching and reflect on the experience afterward.

# Comprehension

Parody and Pastiche

by Lindsay Price

Students will identify the difference between pastiche and parody and then demonstrate comprehension by (a) analyzing a song and then (b) creating their own parody or pastiche.

# Comprehension

Real World Applications: Dance Captain

by Lindsay Price

In this real world application lesson students view videos of an theatre profession, complete viewing quizzes, and hand in a Reflection.

# Comprehension

Real World Applications: Dressers

by Lindsay Price

In this real world application lesson students view videos of a theatre profession, complete viewing quizzes, and hand in a Reflection.

# Comprehension # Stage Management & Technical Theatre # costuming

Real World Applications: Swings, Standbys, and Understudies

by Lindsay Price

In this real world application lesson students view videos of a theatre profession, complete viewing quizzes, and hand in a Reflection.

# Acting # Comprehension # acting

Silent Story: Show Don't Tell

by Lindsay Price

Students often rely on their verbal skills to tell a story. They “tell” us what’s happening instead of “showing” us what’s
happening. “Show don’t tell” is a guiding principle in theatrical storytelling. We want to see what’s happening to characters
as they experience it. We don’t want to hear characters explain the story or what they’re feeling. This lesson plan will put this principle into action through the exercise Silent Story.

# Comprehension # character development # acting

Theatre in the Real World | Research Lesson Plan: Professional Profile

by Drama Teacher Academy

There are a whole host of careers in the theatre that aren’t acting. Students will discover and explore different jobs in the theatrical world, including experience needed, responsibilities, and possible salaries. Students will research an existing theatre professional and complete a written profile that demonstrates their knowledge.

# Comprehension

Theatre in the Real World | Theatre Skills in the Real World

by Drama Teacher Academy

Drama skills, particularly those learned while studying acting, are used in everyday life. Drama skills are transferable skills that are used in everyday life, particularly in the working world. In this lesson, we will look at a few of them, and then students will improvise real-world situations that apply those skills.

# Comprehension

Truth and Lies: A Pre-study lesson for The Crucible

by Lindsay Price

Students will discuss and dramatize the theme “truth and lies.” This lesson plan can be used as a pre-study exercise before a unit on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. You could also use it as a general lesson on the verbal and physical characteristics of the act of a believable lie. A great theatrical exploration!

# Comprehension