Unit
Playwriting Unit: 10 to 15 Minute Play
Created by Lindsay Price
4 lessons
playwriting
This playwriting unit offers lessons for students to complete a 10- to 15-minute play, instructed by professional playwright Lindsay Price.
The unit includes class writing time as well as students writing on their own; in setting it up this way, the unit can be interspersed between other lessons.
Students are challenged to apply themselves to write on their own - as all writers must do. Class time also focuses on giving and receiving feedback.
Start here
The overview outlines the outcome, objectives, and lays out the timeline for a four week project from idea to final draft.
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1Lesson 1Week OneIn Week One, students learn about the criteria for the culminating project, complete some exercises to give students strategies for warm-ups and fighting writer’s block, as well as complete a practice session for both a monologue and a scene.
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2Lesson 2Week TwoIn Week Two, students work on their first draft. Each class period involves writing, reading aloud from the draft, and giving/receiving feedback. The draft is due at the end of the week.
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3Lesson 3Week ThreeIn Week Three, students continue to write read their work aloud and receive feedback. The feedback for this week will focus on character and conflict. They will also complete post-first draft questions and character profiles. The second draft is due at the end of the week.
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4Lesson 4Week FourWeek Four is about practice, performance, and unit reflection. It’s important to include performance in the unit because the ultimate goal of all plays is that they be performed (rather than read). Students have the opportunity to rehearse in groups, present to the class, and then reflect on their experience with the unit.
Standards Addressed
Grade Six
Grade Six
Grade Six
Grade Six
Grade Six
- 6.12 The student will demonstrate how meaning is expressed both physically (through movement, gesture, and other forms of physical expression) and verbally (through vocal choices).
- 6.13 The student will identify techniques and skills for actor preparation, including memorization and warm ups for performance.
- 6.14 The student will demonstrate theatre as dramatized storytelling by preparing and presenting short scenes that include characters, setting, properties, conflict, and a progressive chain of events.
Grade Seven
Grade Seven
Grade Seven
- 7.6 The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works
- 7.7 The student will describe ways that theatre arts contribute to the community and society.
- 7.8 The student will identify appropriate resources for scripts and materials, with a focus on ethical and legal considerations.
Grade Seven
Grade Seven
- 7.12 The student will develop physical and vocal technique for theatre performance.
- 7.13 The student will explain techniques and skills for actor preparation, including concentration, discipline, preparation, and imagination for theatrical performance.
- 7.14 The student will research, analyze, rehearse, and present a scripted character in a memorized scene and/or monologue.
Grade Eight
Grade Eight
Grade Eight
Grade Eight
Grade Eight
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
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