Created by Lea Marshall
Aristotle was a huge fan of the theatre. He philosophically believed in it and argued with other great thinkers at the time about the necessity and good results of theatrical pursuits. This makes him a great topic for a drama classroom unit.
Aristotle identified six elements that needed to be in a play for it to be worthy: plot, thought, character, diction, spectacle, and sound. This unit by Lea Marshall focuses on and offers exercises for each of Aristotle’s elements - from using fairy tales to examine plot, to re-imagining movie trailers to explore music.
National Core Arts Standards
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Perceive and analyze artistic 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
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 6
TH:Re9.1.6.c - Identify a specific audience or purpose for a drama/theatre work.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 7
TH:Re9.1.7.b - Consider the aesthetics of the production elements in a drama/theatre work.
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 7
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
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
TH.912.H.3.2 - Compare the applications of various art forms used in theatre production.
Organizational Structure
Skills, Techniques & Processes
TH.912.S.2.8 - Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Adv.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
6.TH:Cn11.1 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
7.TH:Cn11.1 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
8.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
6.TH.Re9.b - Identify a specific audience or purpose for a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
7.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Prof.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Common Core
Speaking and Listening
Language
Reading: Literature
Language
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 6 - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Creating
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.2.3 - 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 Respond
I.RE.1.1 - Compare the structure, style and genre of various written and presented theatrical works.
I.RE.1.2 - Analyze how theatre artists' choices reflect various genres and styles.
Accomplished High School Respond
Advanced High School Connect
Advanced High School Respond
AD.RE.1.2 - Evaluate the impact of theatrical works on intended audiences.
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
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 - Analysis
Proficient High School Standards - Analysis
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
A.CU.1.1 - Interpret theatre arts from personal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.E - identify theatrical vocabulary and terminology, including basic anatomy of theatre spaces.
C.1.F - identify the structure and form in examples of dramatic literature.
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.A - identify and apply audience etiquette at all performances.
C.5.C - identify production elements of theatre, film, television, and other media.
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.212 LII - Critical evaluation and response
B.5.A - understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances.
B.5.B - evaluate the effectiveness of selected film and television performances.
B.5.C - demonstrate knowledge of production elements in theatre, film, television, and other media.
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.B - explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.F - explore and evaluate the structure and form of dramatic literature.
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: production
B.3.D - use technology in theatrical applications such as live theatre, video, and film.
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.G - analyze and describe the interdependence of all theatrical elements.
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.D - analyze dramatic structure and genre.
C.1.F - relate the interdependence of all theatrical elements.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.317 LIII - Historical and cultural relevance
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.E - create individually or devise collaboratively imaginative scripts and scenarios.
HS 117.318 LIV - Critical evaluation and response
Alberta, Canada
Improvisation Drama 10
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
3 - maintain concentration during exercises
32 - sustain a character throughout a scene or exercise
Theatre Studies Drama 10 (Greek, Medieval or Elizabethan, and Canadian)
Theatre Studies Drama 30 (Early or Middle or Late drama)
Technical Theatre/Design 10-20-30 - Management - Sound
Junior Orientation
focus concentration on one task at a time
meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
share ideas confidently with others
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
5 - create and tell a story spontaneously
7 - use stage vocabulary: stage areas, body positions and crosses
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
Junior Goal I Objectives
develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
Theatre Studies Level II - Intermediate (Theatre History)
Theatre Studies Level III - Advanced (The script)
10 - demonstrate understanding of the concept of dramatic convention
11 - demonstrate understanding of plot structure
7 - define the elements of script, dialogue, directions, characters and settings
Senior Goal I Objectives
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated application and/or engagement of curricular content
Describe, interpret and respond to works of art and explore artists’ intent
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists motivations and meanings
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Collaborate through reciprocal relationships during creative processes
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
Reflect on creative processes to make connections to personal learning and experiences
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Apply feedback to develop and refine ideas
Describe, analyze, and respond using drama-specific language
Reflect on dramatic works and make connections with personal experiences
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Demonstrate awareness of self, others, and audience
Receive and apply constructive feedback to develop and refine ideas
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Reflect on aesthetic experiences and how they relate to a specific place, time, and context
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Ontario, Canada
Grade 6 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing
Grade 6 - Creating and Presenting
Grade 7 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grade 8 - Creating and Presenting
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade 11 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Virginia Standards Of Learning (2020)
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.2 - The student will apply a creative process for theatre.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.3 - The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate theatre.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.6 - The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works.
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