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Shakespeare Performance

Created by Anna Porter

  • 11 lessons

In this unit by Anna Porter, students are introduced to the works of Shakespeare and explore how to bring a character to life in a monologue performance. Students are also introduced to the tools to help them unlock meaning in Shakespeare’s text. Through this eleven lesson series, students will participate in class discussions, activities and performance. Assessment tools include informal assessment, submission of textual analysis work and a final performance.

Shakespeare
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The overview covers the materials used in the unit, along with a detailed list of lessons and assessment tools.
  1. 1
    Lesson 1
    Introduction to Shakespeare
    Students will take a pre-quiz on some of Shakespeare’s plays, then find 5 things they did not already know about Shakespeare during a group discussion and presentation. This lesson includes a presentation for students to introduce Shakespeare and his time period.
  2. 2
    Lesson 2
    Selecting Material
    Students will select a monologue to use in this performance unit during the class period. They will also work in groups to create an entertaining and educational performance based off of a plot summary for one of Shakespeare’s plays.
  3. 3
    Lesson 3
    Approaching the Text
    As a class, students will explore context, the meaning of words, and imagery used to unlock meaning in a Shakespearean text. Students will use these tools to create a modern translation for their own text. Students are also introduced to resources and will become familiar with their story through doing the Actor’s Homework.
  4. 4
    Lesson 4
    Paint with Words: Imagery and Insults
    Students will use insults and compliments to explore sound and imagery in Shakespeare’s texts. Students will also participate in a choral reading, then create a short scenario where they must use their voice and body to bring Shakespeare’s imagery to life to achieve a specific emotional response.
  5. 5
    Lesson 5
    Finding Emotion and Action in the Text
    Students will explore emotional outbursts, action words, and emotion words by doing a structured activity and textual analysis.
  6. 6
    Lesson 6
    Punctuation
    Students will dissect, analyze, and color code punctuation examples. Students will use physical movement that is tied to specific punctuation to help them explore how it can communicate meaning in the text. Students will then apply this and analyze their monologue by examining the punctuation.
  7. 7
    Lesson 7
    Preparing a Character for Performance Part One - Tools, Objectives, Tactics
    Students use their Actor’s Homework Sheet to create a personal word list to explore their character. They will also identify how they will use voice and body to bring their character to life. Finally, students review character objective and tactics in order to create an objective statement with three active tactics they will use with their monologue.
  8. 8
    Lesson 8
    Preparing a Character for Performance Part Two - Laban's Efforts
    Students explore and play with Laban’s Efforts, then select efforts to use in their monologue.
  9. 9
    Lesson 9
    Performing a Monologue with Focus and Stage Pictures
    Students will review how to use stage pictures that communicate character, story, and emotion to help them create appropriate blocking for their performance. Students will create an appropriate focus for their character to look at while performing their monologue.
  10. 10
    Lesson 10
    Memorization Quiz and Preview
    Students will take a memorization quiz and perform for their peers. Students will also critique each other based on what they have worked on during this unit.
  11. 11
    Lesson 11
    Performance
    Students will demonstrate their understanding of textual analysis, painting with words and imagery, creating a character, and preparing a monologue by performing a Shakespearean monologue and reflecting on their experience.

Standards Addressed

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient

Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Proficient

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Advanced

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