Drama: Enacting Literature

Students begin by showing basic knowledge of what a theater is. Then, they explore major elements of drama, beginning with dialogue. Next, they analyze stage directions and explain how the directions help depict character. Finally, they demonstrate their knowledge by writing two or more new lines of dialogue, with stage directions, for a scene they have read.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Drama: Enacting Literature:

A Dramatization of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, by Alice Gerstenberg
Printable version
ELPS Alignment
Attributions

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students begin by showing basic knowledge of what a theater is. Then, they explore major elements of drama, beginning with dialogue. Next, they analyze stage directions and explain how the directions help depict character. Finally, they demonstrate their knowledge by writing two or more new lines of dialogue, with stage directions, for a scene they have read.

Objectives

Analyze the use of dialogue in a play.
Explain the role of staging in drama.

Duration

One class period.

Drama is one of the major genres of literature. It’s the genre that movies, television series, and plays belong to. In this experience, you will learn about two important elements of a play: dialogue and staging.

Objectives

Analyze the use of dialogue in a play.
Explain the role of staging in drama.

print of a British theater production and audience in 1821

Look carefully at the above illustration.

What is the illustration depicting? Which details reveal what kind of place it is and what sort of event is happening?

Post your answer

The activity elicits students’ comprehension of the basic fact of what theater is—what kind of event occurs in a theater, with details such as what a play, a stage, actors, and an audience are. Clarify for students that they are not expected to know what play is being performed or where or when the theater is located.

Once students have discussed the illustration, invite them to compare and contrast it with what they know of a theater. What are the similarities and differences?

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Literary Genres Unit.