Lesson Plan
Theatre: Meaningful Monologues
| Subject: | Art |
| Grade span: | 6 to 12 |
| Duration: | Two 45-minute sessions |
Description:
This lesson is one example of how you can implement the practice of Expressing Yourself Through the Arts. Inspired by the memories associated with an object of personal meaning, students write and perform a dramatic monologue, explore improvisation, and participate in a peer review/feedback process.Learning Goals:
- Understand the concept and purpose of a monologue
- Write and perform a monologue based on a personal object
- Provide and receive constructive feedback
Materials:
- Writing materials
- Personal object
Preparation:
- Writing materials
- Personal object
What to Do:
Session 1:- Read and analyze several monologues that involve personal objects. Model performing a dialogue by reading one aloud. Ask students to read a monologue aloud for practice.
- Ask students guiding questions to help them uncover the meaning of the monologue:
- How does the author use direct and indirect references to the object to create drama?
- What do you think the object represents? Could it be a metaphor for something else in life?
- Allow students to divide into pairs. Have student A tell the story of his or her object's significance, while student B takes notes of meaningful images, ideas, or phrases.
- Ask Student B to retell the story of Student A, while Student A takes notes.
- Repeat the procedure so that all students have an opportunity to tell their stories and have their stories retold by their partners.
- Ask students to formalize their improvisations into a written monologue. Students should consider metaphor, descriptive images, language, and dramatic pacing in their work. Encourage students to expand the monologue to include the memories that will provide a context for the object, rather than focusing on the object itself.
- Allow students to perform their monologues. Ask the audience to provide constructive feedback, beginning with positive comments.
- Ask students to revise the monologues based on performance feedback.
Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):
- Student engagement and participation
- Monologues that reference the object in direct and indirect ways
- References to personal experiences and memories
- Expression of feelings and emotions through memories about the object
Standards:
Click this link to see additional learning goals, grade-level benchmarks, and standards covered in this lesson.
