Subject:
English Language Arts
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
High School
Grade:
11
Provider:
Pearson
Tags:
  • Grade 11 ELA
  • Performance
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English

    Fourth Group Performance

    Fourth Group Performance

    Overview

    In this lesson, the performances continue. The fourth group of students will perform their memorized passages from Much Ado About Nothing .

    Preparation

    • Read the lesson and student content.
    • Anticipate student difficulties and identify the differentiation options you will choose for working with your students.

    Looking Toward Prompt Book Performances

    • Begin by recalling what you saw in the previous lesson’s performances that was great. Tell students how you are really looking forward to today’s presentations.
    • One way to begin might be to ask them which elements they think will need to be added to the second performance and which can stay the same.
    • Help students talk through their questions and ideas about how they will go from a short performance to a full Prompt Book scene. Encourage them to take notes that they can refer to later, either using their Notebook or another method.
      • SWD: For students who will need more formal preparation time, you can consider assigning them their role in the Prompt Book scene early or discussing the possibilities to gauge their interest. For example, you can find out who would be interested in directing, who might want to work behind the scenes, and who is comfortable as an actor. Once a general role is established, students can begin to think and talk about what it will require of them, even if they don’t yet have a scene or group assigned.

    Opening

    As a class, recap the previous lesson’s presentations and consider the Prompt Books and how you’ll turn them into longer, more complex performances. Be sure to take notes on your ideas.

    • What was one thing you really liked in the performances?
    • Did the performances bring up any new questions or insights for you about the play?
    • Now that you’ve seen a simple Shakespeare performance, what are some thoughts you have about how you might create a fuller, more detailed scene using your Prompt Book?

    Presentation Procedures

    • Send the first five presenters out into the hallway to rehearse for a few minutes.
    • Review the procedures with your students.

    Work Time

    Your teacher will send the first five students who will present today into the hall to rehearse their scenes.

    Here’s how things will go.

    • Each presenter or pair of presenters will begin by introducing the passage and explaining the scenario.
    • Applaud after all presentations! Everyone deserves credit for getting up in front of the class to perform.
    • Pause after each presentation for any questions for the presenter.
    • When you’re done with your own performance, make a few notes about how you did. What did you do well? What could you have improved?
    • Finally, the teacher will comment on the overall presentation.

    After your performance, submit your completed Prompt Book to the teacher.

    The Presentations

    • Have the next presenters give their presentations in the order in which they occur in the play.
    • Evaluate each performance using the Student Scene Memorization rubric.
    • Encourage excellent constructive criticism, as based on the rubric.
    • When classmates have completed their commentaries, it will be your turn to comment. Remember that this was not easy for them, and be as positive as possible. Cast any negative aspect of the presentation in a positive light, acknowledging how hard this was to do.
    • Keep in mind that for some students, getting up in front of the class is itself the biggest hurdle to overcome.

    Work Time

    The performers will begin their presentations in the order in which they occur in the play.

    • After each presentation, pause for applause, comments, and questions.

    Performance Debrief

    • Allow partners time to share their reactions to the presentations.
    • Have students present the observations they discussed in the partner share.
    • Offer encouragement to those who have performed and those who have yet to perform.
      • ELL: For ELLs who have not yet performed, this can be a good time to check in with them and assess their level of preparedness for their own presentation. Watching other students present can help to establish what is expected of them and, in many cases, make it less intimidating.

    Closing

    When all performers for the day have presented, talk with a partner about what you have just seen and your reactions to the presentations. You may have been one of the presenters. If so, discuss how you felt your scene went.

    Here are some questions to consider.

    • Did the presentations help you get a better sense of the meaning behind the play’s language?
    • Is hearing the lines different from reading them? If so, how is it different?

    Once you’ve discussed with your partner, share with the whole class.

    Essay, Presentation, Prompt Book

    • Make sure all presenters have given you their Prompt Books. You will need to return all Prompt Books by the beginning of Lesson 26, when students are assigned to their performance groups.
    • If students who haven’t presented are finished with their Prompt Books, encourage them to move on to essay work.

    Homework

    • If you have presented, work on your essay.
    • If you have not presented, work on your scene presentation and your Prompt Book.​