History of Theater Lesson Plans

Students view video clips from the program NY VOICES: "The Public" at 50, which examines Joseph Papp's passion and commitment to bring theater to diverse communities of New York. They create a playbill highlighting productions for an upcoming season.

Students are introduced to the history of theater. After a short lecture, groups participate in a dramatic reading of a play. Groups are given class time to practice reading the play together then perform a dramatic reading of their play for the remainder of the class.

Students study the African Grove Theater in New York. In this African American history lesson, students examine the evolution of race relations in the United States as they research the theater and its history.

Take your class to the theater! First graders will examine characters that actors play such a villians and heroes. Then participate in creating plays and performing in them. They will also research what it takes to create scenery, props and costumes and take a unit assessment.

Sixth graders learn the importance of mask in Greek theater, explore the history of Greek theater, integrate planning - design and construct a mask that shows exaggeration of features, build up features using paper mach mash, enhance features with tints and shades, embellish mask to add characteand put on a play with the masks.

Students write a rap or hip-hop lyric about the life of a famous Black American. They explore famous Black Americans in history and explore how the rap form compares to other forms of poetic expression.

Students explore equality by viewing military films in class. In this women's history instructional activity, students view the films "G.I. Jane" and "The General's Daughter" while discussing the obstacles the women in the film face. Students create a multimedia presentation based on women's rights and equal opportunities.

Learners explore the Sistine Chapel. In this European history instructional activity, students watch "Sistine Chapel Frescoes: Scenes from Genesis." Learners then discuss the Vatican and the role of the Pope. Students then visit a website to take a virtual tour of the chapel prior to designing their own Sistine Chapel ceiling on a bulletin board.

Students examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. In this economics lesson plan, student participate in a reader's theater experience of the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson over the beginnings of the first Bank of the United States. They read primary source documents and the booklet, "The First Bank of the United States."

Students study history by performing reader's theater. In this U.S. government lesson, students research the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students then write and perform reader's theater based on their findings. A Bill of Rights quiz is also available with the lesson.