Read the Fine Print

From Page to Stage

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Musical theater book writers, lyricists, and composers have long looked to literature for their inspiration and subject material. In this lesson, students will compare and contrast literary works and the musicals they inspired. Utilizing video clips and Web sites, students will compare specific passages from original texts to moments in Broadway musicals on which they were based, and analyze similarities and differences between the two. As a culminating activity, students will try their hand at adapting and performing a nondramatic narrative, either as a straight play or as a musical number.
Designed for immediate use in middle and high school classrooms, these lessons -- which adhere to national learning standards -- contain comprehensive instructions for classroom implementation, downloadable student handouts, links to relevant and dynamic online resources, and suggestions for cross-curricular extensions. Feel free to adapt the lesson plans to meet your students' needs and your own curricular goals.

Subject:: Arts, Humanities
Grade Level:: Secondary
Collection:: PBS

Read the Fine Print

Hey, Mr. Producer!

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: It's not that uncommon for secondary school students to study the ups and downs of the stock market, but in this lesson, students will examine the economic roller coaster involved in the production of a Broadway musical. As an introduction to the lesson, students will read a series of online articles to investigate the similarities and differences between nonprofit theater production and Broadway, or commercial, theater production. They will view excerpts from the PBS series BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL to determine how the costs of producing on Broadway have changed over time, and to understand the economic gamble involved in the production of a contemporary musical. As a culmination of the lesson, students will write a persuasive letter describing the benefits and pitfalls of investing in either nonprofit or commercial theater.
Designed for immediate use in middle and high school classrooms, these lessons -- which adhere to national learning standards -- contain comprehensive instructions for classroom implementation, downloadable student handouts, links to relevant and dynamic online resources, and suggestions for cross-curricular extensions. Feel free to adapt the lesson plans to meet your students' needs and your own curricular goals.

Subject:: Arts, Business, Humanities
Grade Level:: Secondary
Collection:: PBS

International Women's Voices, Spring 2004

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: International Women's Voices has several objectives. It introduces students to a variety of works by contemporary women writers from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. The emphasis is on non-western writers. The readings are chosen to encourage students to think about how each author's work reflects a distinct cultural heritage and to what extent, if any, we can identify a female voice that transcends national cultures. In lectures and readings distributed in class, students learn about the history and culture of each of the countries these authors represent. The way in which colonialism, religion, nation formation and language influence each writer is a major concern of this course. In addition, students examine the patterns of socialization of women in patriarchal cultures, and how, in the imaginary world, authors resolve or understand the relationship of the characters to love, work, identity, sex roles, marriage and politics.This class is a communication intensive course. In addition to becoming more thoughtful readers, students are expected to become a more able and more confident writers. Assignments are designed to allow for revision of each paper. The class will also offer opportunities for speaking and debating so that students can build oral presentation skills that are essential for success once they leave MIT. The class is limited to 25 students and there is substantial classroom discussion.

Subject:: Humanities, Social Sciences
Grade Level:: Post-secondary
Collection:: MIT OpenCourseWare

Read the Fine Print

We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:

Since the advent of book musicals such as "Show Boat" and "Oklahoma!", many Broadway shows have touched upon relevant social and historical issues. In this lesson, students will investigate how Broadway musicals can reflect the times in which they were created. Students will examine video clips and Web sites related to relevant productions, study song lyrics, and compare and contrast actual history with Broadway history. By becoming "historical detectives," they will determine how accurately Broadway portrays different historical figures, time periods, or incidents. As a culminating activity, students will compose and perform a sample song based on a contemporary or historical person or incident, utilizing their research and understanding from the lesson.

Designed for immediate use in middle and high school classrooms, these lessons -- which adhere to national learning standards -- contain comprehensive instructions for classroom implementation, downloadable student handouts, links to relevant and dynamic online resources, and suggestions for cross-curricular extensions. Feel free to adapt the lesson plans to meet your students' needs and your own curricular goals.

Subject:: Arts, Humanities
Grade Level:: Secondary
Collection:: PBS

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From Page to Stage

Hey, Mr. Producer!

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We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover

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Browse: Keyword: Literature and Language

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Refine Your Search

From Page to Stage

Hey, Mr. Producer!

International Women's Voices, Spring 2004

We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover

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