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BYU Theatre Education

The Cultures of Utah (Elementary Unit-4th grade) by Becca Cardon Christiansen, Emily Trejo, Pollyanna Eyler

Unit: The Cultures of Utah (Elementary Unit-4th Grade)

Drama Integration Unit

Author names:  

Becca Cardon Christiansen, Emily Trejo, Pollyanna Eyler

Revisions by:

Emily Trejo

Unit Objective:  

Students will demonstrate their understanding of different cultures in Utah as they compare and contrast their own cultures to those within the communities.

Prior Experience:

  • Use of warmups and mindfulness activities.
  • Use of body and movement
  • Classroom Routine
  • Reading
  • Scene Creation
  • Group Work
  • Work with guest artists

National Theatre Standards:  

  • TH:Cr1.1.4c. Imagine how a character’s inner thoughts impact the story and given circumstances in a drama/ theatre work
  • TH:Pr6.1.4.a. Share small-group drama/theatre work, with peers as audience.
  • TH:Cn10.1.4a. Identify the ways drama/theatre work reflects the perspectives of a community or culture.
  • TH:Re7.1.4.a.Identify artistic choices made in a drama/theatre work through participation and observation.
  • TH:Re8.1.4.a.Compare and contrast multiple personal experiences when participating in or observing a drama/theatre work. 

Utah Core Standards:

  • Standard 2- Students will understand how Utah’s history has been shaped by many diverse people, events, and ideas.
    • Objective 1
      • Describe various cultural groups in Utah.
      • a.Chart diverse cultural groups from their places of origin to Utah.
    • Standard 2.1- Describe the historical and current impact of various cultural groups on Utah 
      • 2.1.b. Explore points of view about life in Utah from a variety of cultural groups using primary source documents.
      • 2.1.e. Explain the importance of preserving cultural prehistory and history, including archaeological sites and other historic sites and artifacts.

Big Ideas:  

  • Imagination
  • Self-Expression
  • Telling Stories (voice, movement, etc)
  • Audience Skills
  • Design
  • Teamwork
  • Community
  • Social Skills
  • Empathy

Essential Questions:  

  • What happens when theatre artists foster understanding between self and others through critical awareness, social responsibility, and the exploration of empathy?
  • Why are strong choices essential to interpreting a drama or theatre piece?

Enduring Understandings:

  • Theatre artists allow awareness of interrelationships between self and others to influence and inform their work.
  • Theatre artists share and present stories, ideas, and envisioned worlds to explore the human experience.
  • There are cultural differences within a community.

Key Knowledge and Skills:  

  • Students will explore empathy and appreciation for diverse cultures currently in Utah through drama conventions.
  • Students will understand the impact of Migration Farmworkers in Utah by participating in a day in the life activity.
  • Students will demonstrate their understanding of Native American culture and how stories are traditionally passed along as they participate in a scene circle.
  • Students will understand that each person’s background and how it contributes to Utah’s culture past and present by discussing their culture and role in Utah as an important member to their family.

Authentic Performance Tasks:  

  • Creating an immigrant character.
  • Pantomiming an item to pack on a trip.
  • Reading and Understanding a diagram representing the many diverse cultures of Utah.
  • Creating a day in the life activity.
  • Performing a Native American Legend.
  • Discussing how the student is an important part of their family.

Lessons:

1st Lesson (Lesson #4): Diverse Cultures in Utah (Needs Link after created)

Objective: Students will gain empathy for immigrants from the many diverse cultures currently in Utah by participation a guided drama where the students migrate from earth to another planet.

2nd Lesson (Lesson #2): Lesson #2 (Needs Link after created)

Objective: Students will understand the impact of Migration Farmworkers in Utah by participating in a day in the life activity.

3rd Lesson (Lesson #6): Native Americans in Utah (Needs Link after created)

Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Native American culture and how stories are traditionally passed along as they participate in a scene circle.

4th Lesson (Lesson #4): Lesson #4 (Needs Link after created)

Objective: Students will understand their heritage and how it contributes to Utah’s culture by discussing their role in Utah, as an important member to their family.