Lesson Plan

By: Lauren Meers and Kathleen Quinn

Background Information
Activity Name: Reading comprehension through acting
Grade/Subject: High School Literature / Grades 10-12
Goals: to enhance students comprehension of classic literature using
technology to create and critique a video performance post-reading.
Curriculum Standard(s):
ELACC9-10RL2: Determine a theme or central idea of text and analyze
in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and
is shaped and
refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
ELACC9-10RL3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with
multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text,
interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the
theme.
ELACC9-10RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they
are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings;
analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning
and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place;
how it sets a formal or informal tone.)
ELACC9-10RL6: Analyze a particular point of view or cultural
experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United
States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
ELACC9-10RL10: By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend
literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10
text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the
high end of the range.
ELACC9-10RI2: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and
is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary
of the text.

NETS Standard(s):
Creativity and innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking,
construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes
using technology.
Communication and collaboration: Students use digital media and
environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a
distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning
of others
Technology operations and concepts: Students demonstrate a sound
understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
Technology Tools: iPad and iMovie
Lesson Narrative:
The activity will be introduced to the class by the teachers example of
the finished product in order for the students to fully grasp the concept
of the lesson. It is best that they first see an example. The teacher
should make sure that the provided video is accompanied with an
explicit rubric outlining instructions and expectations.
Students Participation is outlined by the following steps:
1. Students will be assigned an excerpt from a chosen piece of
classic literature
2. Students will then actively read their excerpts individually and
then proceed to discuss their initial takeaways with their
performance group
3. Once the group has assigned character roles related to the
excerpt, iPads will then be distributed.
4. Students will then familiarize themselves with the iPad and
Imovie in particular. Once familiarized, students will begin to film.
5. When the students finish filming their scenes they will upload
their video to a Dropbox that is accessible by the teacher
6. Class video presentation day (chips and salsa encouraged)
7. Students will fill out and respond to evaluation forms created and
distributed by the teacher

8. (optional) Teacher allots time for an open ended discussion

regarding all students videos and responses
We will provide interactive guidance for the participating students by
having the teacher monitor the students while simultaneously making
themselves available to answer an questions that the students may
have. If the teacher works with the students than the learning
environment becomes personal and comfortable for both parties and
overall makes for a more successful school day.

The students will be evaluated according to our stated goals by the

following criteria that would be presented on a rubric and distributed to
the students prior to the lesson plan:
Creativity (Students thought outside the box in terms or relating the
material)
25%
Completeness

(Students handed in the assignment on time)

25%

Teamwork (All students were equally engaged in the activity)

25%
Accuracy (Video demonstrates clear understanding of the excerpt)
25%

Students will use technology extensively through IMovie from the iPad
to apply their comprehension skills to excerpts of classic literature
pieces. This type of literature can sometimes be confusing to dissect
and comprehend and thus can mean different things varying from
student to student. Bringing in technology will allow students to
collaborate with each other on what the text meant to them and then
share that overall takeaway message with the rest of the class. By
having to interact with each other and come up with character
assignments, scenes, and meet a deadline the students are learning
real world skills while enhancing their knowledge of how to incorporate
technology into their classroom. The act of visualizing the text and
bringing it to life via technology is one that cannot be matched if
technology was not included in this assignment.