Unit:
Intro to Playwrights
Grade Level:
10-12 grade, 77 minutes
National Standards:
Content Standard #2:
Acting by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisations and informal or formal productions
Content Standard #4:
Directing by interpreting dramatic texts and organizing and conducting rehearsals for informal or formal productions
Content Standard #7:
Analyzing, critiquing, and constructing meanings from informal and formal theatre, film, television, and electronic media productions
Content Standard #8:
Understanding context by analyzing the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in the past and the present
Materials Needed:
Rubrics (the information sheets), and students will need their presentation materials and anything they might want for their performances. Lesson 4.Rubric for Presentations Lesson 4.Playwright Presentation Worksheet
Learning Objective:
In groups students will give their presentations on their specific playwrights where they will show that they have analyzed and evaluated how the playwright and their work(s) affected both the past and present. Students will also perform scenes from one of the playwright’s most famous plays where they will also analyze why the play is considered a masterpiece.
Teaching Presentation:
Hook (5 minutes):
It’s time to show us all what you’ve learned! You have 5 minutes to meet with your group members and get anything together that you need for your presentations+performances.
Activity 1 (70 minutes):
Groups will now all take turns presenting their Playwright presentations. The presentations and the performances shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes (give them a one minute warning).
Pay close attention to what the other groups perform because you’ll have to use what you’ve learned later. While they’re watching the other groups’ presentations+performances they should write down:
1) The playwright’s most famous works
2) Why were they (and their plays) culturally/historically significant to the time period/profession?
3) Why is the play performed “good work,” and why is it still relevant and significant today?
Plan to get through 6-8 groups during one class period.