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This America – West Side Story lesson plan also includes:
- America
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Anita's iconic rooftop ode to American life in West Side Story is the focus of a lesson on immigration. As class members listen to "America," they follow along with printed lyrics, and discuss whether they agree with Anita's assessment of life in America.
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Instructional Ideas
- Pair with a viewing of the film
- Have drama students come in and act out the song for your class
- Use the discussion questions as a writing prompt
Classroom Considerations
- Prior knowledge of the show would be helpful but isn't required
- Lyrics are based on the film version of West Side Story, which differ from the play version
- Based on the demographics in your class, discussion of the quality of life in American may arouse emotions
Pros
- Lesson is focused on the needs of English language learners
- Adds an engaging element to a lesson on immigration
Cons
- None