Comprehension

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!