Created by Lindsay Price
Close reading is an activity that puts curriculum standards into practice and it can be easily applied to the drama classroom.
Close reading asks a lot of your students. They have to read and think at the same time.
This course teaches drama teachers how the close reading process works, and gives them exercises and tools to apply it in the classroom.
11 Modules
3 hours, 38 minutes
7 Credit Hours
Get instant access to this and everything else in the Drama Teacher Academy
National Core Arts Standards
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 6
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Accomplished
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Advanced
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
TH.912.C.1.7 - Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
Historical & Global Connections
Organizational Structure
TH.912.O.1.2 - Compare the conventions of western theatre with eastern theatre practices.
Skills, Techniques & Processes
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
7.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
8.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Acc.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Adv.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
6.TH.Re8.b - Identify cultural contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
8.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Prof.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Adv.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
7.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
8.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Prof.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Prof.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Acc.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Acc.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Adv.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Adv.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Common Core
Reading: Literature
Reading: Informational Text
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 6 - Creating
Grade 7 - Creating
Grade 8 - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through improvised and scripted activities.
B.CR.1.2 - Create scenarios that communicate character, setting, plot, and conflict.
B.CR.2.1 - Adapt theatrical works using personal experiences through a collaborative process.
Beginning High School Present
B.PR.2.1 - Develop scripted or devised theatre for presentation.
B.PR.2.3 - Implement technical elements to support scripted or devised presentations.
B.PR.2.4 - Identify the responsibilities of a performer in a variety of theatrical venues.
Beginning High School Respond
B.RE.1.1 - Analyze the dramatic structure of written and presented theatrical works.
B.RE.1.2 - Interpret how theatre artists use dramatic structure to convey meaning.
Intermediate High School Present
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
B.C.1.3 - Understand how to read and write scripts that communicate conflict, plot, and character.
Beginning High School Standards - Analysis
Beginning High School Standards - Aesthetics
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
P.C.2.2 - Interpret monologues through formal and informal presentations.
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.B - relate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
Alberta, Canada
Improvisation Drama 10
Acting Drama 20
1 - analyze a script for explicit character clues
12 - analyze script for clues to create antecedent action
15 - analyze script for a character’s transitions
6 - demonstrate a character’s immediate or moment-to-moment objectives within a scene
Movement Drama 10
1 - display the ability to be still
17 - demonstrate freezing of movement in space
18 - appreciate that physical expression can enhance language
23 - demonstrate non-verbally the who, what, where, why and when of a story
Playwriting - Drama 20
6 - identify character types and their functions and attributes
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
29 - use improvisational skills and concepts in exploration of text
Junior Goal II Objectives
become familiar with dramatic terminology and script format
develop the ability to give form or expression to feelings, ideas and images
gain awareness of how the integration of disciplines enriches dramatic communication
Junior Orientation
demonstrate awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of drama/theatre
offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
recognize that there is an historical and cultural aspect of drama/theatre
recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
Movement Level I - Beginning
13 - control focus and energy in movement and gesture
Movement Level II - Intermediate
25 - communicate environment, character and situation nonverbally
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
11 - create a dramatic situation in response to varied stimuli: objects, pictures, music
12 - make logical choices within the boundaries of situation and character
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
24 - recognize that relationships exist between characters in given situations
Junior Goal I Objectives
develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
Theatre Studies Level II - Intermediate (Theatre History)
Senior Goal I Objectives
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists' intentions
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Describe, interpret and respond to works of art and explore artists’ intent
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists’ intentions
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
Reflect on creative processes to make connections to personal learning and experiences
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Describe, analyze, and respond using drama-specific language
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
Document and respond to dramatic works and experiences in a variety of contexts
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Reflect on dramatic works and make connections with personal experiences
Ontario, Canada
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Drama and Society
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Elements and Conventions
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
Grade 11 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grade 11 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grade 11 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Grade 12 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Grade 12 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
Our parent company Theatrefolk offers a fantastic selection of plays written specifically for high school and middle school students.
Whether for performances or class study, there's something for everyone: relevant & relatable themes, simple sets & costumes, flexible casting options and much more - a perfect addition to any drama program!