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Middle School Drama Lessons from a Veteran Drama Teacher

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Middle School Drama Lessons from a Veteran Drama Teacher

Hello!

You may not know me or be familiar with my work.  I’m Deborah Baldwin (but my friends call me Deb.)  I am a recently retired award winning drama teacher of thirty-eight years.  In that time, I directed over 300 plays and musicals with students and adults as well.  I taught every grade level, but the bulk of my time was spent with secondary students.

Here is my resume if you’d like to see it: DeborahBaldwin.net

If you are looking for lessons for high school theater classes, check out Drama Lessons for High School from an Award Winning Drama Teacher or elementary classes at Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

My Teaching Style

Drama is a hands-on class. To this end, I’m always on my feet, modeling for my students while teaching them a host of concepts. It is not unusual to hear my classroom in chortles of laughter because humor is an outstanding way to gain a student’s attention. I empower students at an early age.

Although I am always mindful of my learning objectives, I think it’s vital for students to experiment within the confines of my instruction. I encourage students to be independent and creative thinkers. Many less confident or reluctant students benefit from my teaching methods as together we hit the challenges they encounter. I am creative, intense, driven and brave–these are qualities I nurture in all my students and generally receive outstanding results.

Check out my store at Dramamommaspeaks.

Here is my opinion about expectations of middle school My Pet Peeve

Drama Lessons with Easy Prep for the Teacher

If you are looking for drama units, lessons and plays for your students, I can help you.  Here are a few of my lessons for middle grade students:

Drama Curriculum and Units

Drama Lessons for Middle Grades from an Award Winning Drama Teacher

Set Design Units

Set Design, the Rendering

If you need theater lessons for elementary students, check out Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

Choice Boards 

Drama Lessons for Middle Grades from an Award Winning Drama Teacher

If you have reluctant students in your class, try choice boards.  They give students an opportunity to learn what they want to know the most about.

Wicked Costume Design Boom Cards

Drama Lessons for Middle Grades from an Award Winning Drama Teacher

Do you ever use Boom cards?  This lesson is great for teaching about the musical Wicked, while also studying costume design near Halloween.

Costume Design with Superheroes

 

Bow Blues Radio Play Unit

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Drama Lessons for Middle Grades from an Award Winning Drama Teacher

Invite a Play Character to dinner

Pick up this bundle with Wicked, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Biographies

Also, this Google Classroom version: Wicked, the Broadway Musical (Google Classroom)

You might enjoy this Famous Theater Artist Biography for the Google Classroom:  Sarah Bareilles

Middle School Drama Lessons from a Veteran Drama Teacher

Cynthia Erivo (FREE)

Wicked Broadway Musical

 

Lin Manuel Miranda cover

Famous Theater Artists:  Lin Manuel Miranda Biography (FREE)

Additionally, here is a new readers theater script lesson based on an Inca legend:  The Magic Lake 

Satisfied Customers 

I’m so flattered by reviews such as these:

  • “Absolutely brilliant! Brightened my classroom with purpose!” (Famous Theater Artist Pendants)
  • “What a terrific and thorough study of Sarah Bareilles. My students really enjoyed learning about her. She’s a great role model for having a growth mindset.”
  • “I used this Lin Manuel Mirranda lesson in conjunction with the Hamilton unit, and my students really enjoyed it. Thank you for putting this together!”
  • ” Set Design with School Setting has been a great lesson for my students during digital learning last year. They really enjoyed doing it and I got some great set designs turned in.”
  • “This unit, The Wiz Broadway musical resourcse is highly detailed and contains all of the information I need to support my unit on the Wiz.”
  • “Wow! This resource is filled with activities that can give students an experience outside of the classroom! You can design independent lessons from this unit, where students can explore radio show history and listen to examples. My class is going to perform our radio show over a zoom call. Deborah is great; she responded promptly to my questions and even added resources for me!” (Bow Wow Blues Radio Theater Unit)
  • I used this resource to get my students ready to attend the Come From Away musical as a field trip. Back in September, we had written letters of gratitude to the people of Gander for what they did on 9/11. Long story short and a few interviews in-between, my EL’s got to attend the musical in Houston in early March 2020 with Captain Bass herself! Thank you for this resource. It helped them prepare for what we would see onstage before seeing it in real life. THANK YOU!!

I hope you’ll check out my drama education products.  There are nearly 450 of them ready and waiting for you.

Lastly…

Looking for something free?  There are free lessons here in my blog and in my store.  Here is something for you: Freebies Stuff

If you don’t find what you need, contact me.  Chances are I’d be interested in creating what you are needing.  That’s always fun! I also customize bundles so if that is something you’d be interested in, do email me.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

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Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Today’s post is Three Interactive Ways to Teach Tom Sawyer To Your Students.  Several years ago, (for thirteen years) I taught sixth graders an introduction to theater class in a middle school. All the sixth graders–almost 500 of them each year. If you’d like to know more about that experience, check out this blog post: How to Make Your Drama Class More Successful

Mark Twain's Purpose for Writing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

As any drama teacher worth her weight would tell you, it’s important for students to read fiction about kids around their age.  Now, I’m like anyone.  I like pop culture, but I happen to think our students need to still read classics.

In addition, I also like to include interactive instruction if at all possible.  Interactive instruction is when students learn through social interaction. Interactive instruction is just about everything we do in a theater class!

Meet Tim Kelly, Playwright

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Thirty-one years ago, I co-developed a play writing contest for youth theater plays.  One of the winners was a prolific playwright, Tim Kelly.

When Tim entered the competition, I was aghast!  I only knew his plays as hokey.  They were silly, kind of awkward parodies of other plays, books, or television shows.

Shortly afterward, Tim discovered writing for middle school students and finally found his home, at least in my opinion.

We produced his play, It’s a Howl! and it was such fun.  I know, I said I didn’t like to do superficial stuff but It’s a Howl! is really clever–sort of Frankenstein meets the Werewolf.

Over several years, Tim and I would talk about other plays he wanted to enter in the contest.  He mentioned his Tom Sawyer script to me as well.

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

I don’t know why, but he never entered it in the competition.  But I read it and loved it!

Check out a synopsis of it here:   Dramatic Publishing Company

Back to the middle school with the gazillion students…Since seventy-five new students entered my drama classroom every twenty-five days, I had to come up with a variety of lessons for them.

Enter The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer fit two purposes for me.  One–it was a classic and abbreviated which was perfect especially for the classroom.  Two–it was a story about students around the ages of my students.  Three–it was a wonderful jumping off point for additional lessons about theater (set, costume, props, etc.)

 

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Recently, I created two units using Tom Sawyer as my inspiration. Here is the production description:

Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an excellent story for our middle grade students to study. Here is study guide for a play version of the book. Questions for a read-aloud are included as well as questions to study the play from a theatrical perspective. Playwright, Tim Kelly was a prolific playwright and this script is a perfect example of his body of work. His plays are especially suited for middle grade students.

This product includes:

  • A Letter to the Teacher
  • Short Bio. on Mark Twain
  • Information about the novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Procedure
  • Warm Up
  • Teacher’s Script–What I say and How I say it!
  • Discussion Questions from a Theatrical Perspective
  • Discussion Questions for a Class Read-Aloud
  • Theater Vocabulary Words–34 In Total
  • Theater Words Definitions
  • Source Page

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Study Set Design 

The second unit concerns set design.

This set design unit (48 page, 10 days) focuses on a play version of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Tim Kelley. This is great interaction! Students learn about the history of set design, famous set designers, develop a critical eye about what makes up an award winning set design, create a ground plan for a room in a school of their choosing and draw a rendering. In addition, the students must work with ratios and measuring. The first two assignments are completed individually, but then the fun begins! The students are paired up to create a model working together towards the goal. There is even room for parents to celebrate the end of the unit with your students.

Note: If a teacher chooses to use this particular set design unit, I would suggest purchasing a class set of Tom Sawyer by Tim Kelley at: https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/tom-sawyer-tr5000.

Included in the unit:

  • An overview of the unit for the teacher
  • Rationale for teaching set design
  • History of set design
  • Set designer’s responsibilities
  • Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
  • Extensive warm up
  • Procedures for each day (8 to 10) including exit prompts
  • Lecture notes including links
  • Information about the message color conveys
  • Rendering examples
  • Stage curtain sheets for rendering–one vertical, one horizontal
  • Step by step directions for model building including photo examples
  • Cheat sheet for various set pieces
  • Assignment sheet for each step of the design process
  • Grade sheet EDITABLE in a separate file
  • Source Page

Now I have a costume design unit to go with these two as well.  Talk about comprehensive!

Of course, there’s a bundle of the three together.  Check those out at:  Bundle Tom Sawyer Study Guide and Set Design Unit 

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

Honestly, I don’t know if The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is taught in the classroom anymore.  I could understand the reasons not to teach it.  However, Mr. Kelly’s script is well adapted and deletes any words which might be difficult for our students to accept in this day and age.

Three Interactive Ways to Teach The Play Tom Sawyer To Your Students

I hope you’ll consider ordering a perusal copy of the script. Perhaps you’ll use these two products in your drama classroom or at least study it in the language arts classroom.  It fits the “balanced reading” benchmark, too!

Mr. Twain wrote the book for all of us.   Of course, I think Mark Twain says it the best, “Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, part of my plan has been to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and what they felt and thought.”

What young adult novels have you studied in play form?  I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

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Growth Mindset in the Study of Theater Artists

Today, let’s talk about the importance of growth mindset in the study of famous theater artists, Growth mindset is a popular buzz word phrase used for a few years.  At first, I wasn’t certain I knew what it was.  Now that I’ve studied it, it’s a terrific philosophy. 

Growth mindset is the belief that we can grow and change through education and practice.  Some people don’t have a growth mindset, but one that is fixed.  A fixed mindset looks at challenges and changes as a threat.

Recently, I’ve discovered I’ve always had a growth mindset I just didn’t realize it. In fact, I demonstrate it daily.

The Transformative Power When Students Apply Stage Makeup
The Transformative Power When Students Apply Stage Makeup

When I was a student in the seventies, it would have helped immeasurably if someone taught us growth mindset.  Instead we fumbled through our education learning about important people but never understanding the reasons to study them.

As a theater educator for over thirty-eight years, I discovered most of our students aren’t familiar with Broadway performers.  They know the ones which are most popular as Lin Manuel Miranda, Ben Platt, Idina Menzel, and Kristin Chenoweth.  Those are all performers.

Here is some news about Lin Manuel Miranda which is awesome!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lin-Manuel-Miranda-Family-Fund-Has-Committed-1M-To-Theater-Scholarships-For-Students-Of-Color-20200304

What about playwrights, composers, choreographers and designers? Or lesser known performers such as Billy Porter equally as important?

Check out my bundle of Famous Theater Artist biographies! This a smaller resource than the unit mentioned below.

Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

I researched the subject of growth mindset and ran upon this article in Times Magazine, which states:

“The process of historical inquiry—and what it teaches students along the way—is history’s greatest reward. Studying history teaches that society is not stagnant. Studying history teaches us to question how and why things change, who drives those changes, whose interests are served by them and who gets left out of the equation. History teaches that human actions have consequences. Analysis of past events teaches students to ask probing questions, challenge preconceived assumptions and to recognize that humans have the capacity to be both very, very good and very, very cruel.

Analyzing historic documents teaches us to be careful readers. To be skeptical of one side of the story. To be aware of our own biases. Most critically, history teaches us who we are. I am a Jew, a New Yorker, a citizen of the United States, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. These identities mean nothing without a historical backdrop to set them against. “We swim in the past as fish do in water,” wrote historian Eric Hobsbawm. “We cannot escape from it.”

Becoming Rigorous Thinkers

Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

Historian historian Eric Hobsbawm continues, “Our students may not go on to all be historians, or even remember the hundreds of facts they learn in a given year. But through history they can become more disciplined and rigorous thinkers. They can be challenged to be more independent-minded analysts, and, I would argue, more compassionate human beings—skills that historical study inculcates and that lead directly to life and career success.”

Someone for Students to Admire

They allow you to stand on the shoulders of giants. In the 1670’s Sir Isaac Newton wrote in a letter to his friend Robert Hooke, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” That is exactly what reading biographies can do for you – allow you to see further because of what these people have achieved. Admittedly not every biography is about a “giant” but most are (and you can certainly pick from that list). However, even if the person you’re reading about is despicable and not worthy of praise or admiration, there likely are still many lessons to be gleaned from their life experiences and behaviors – even if most are “things you don’t want to do.”

  They remind you that history repeats itself. George Santayana wrote in 1905, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It was true long before then, it was true then and it hasn’t changed today. Reading about the real experiences of others gives context for the decisions and consequences that we all will face. History (recent or distant) will repeat itself because those who are making history were, and are, human beings. One of the best ways to take advantage of the experience of others is by reading biographies of historical figures, not academic tomes about history.

The Importance of Growth Mindset Study

Growth Mindset in the Study of Theater Artists

  They promote self discovery. A good self help or professional development book will outline specific steps, tools, techniques and approaches to try. These can be valuable and successful shortcuts to help you make improvements and get results in most any area of your life. A biography, on the other hand, won’t be as direct.

You will discover ideas and approaches on your own through the stories and experiences of others. This discovery learning process is often far more satisfying, and most always more lasting, than reading a list of steps.

Viewing the World with a Different Perspective

  They allow you to see the world in new ways. Rather than being completely focused on your professional discipline, looking at the way you and your colleagues always look at things, reading about someone from a different era, a different background or a totally different set of life experiences will give you new perspective. In truth, most great innovations come from taking an idea from one situation, discipline or industry and adapting it to another. Reading biographies is one great way to do this.

  They give you mentors at a distance.If you have read about the life of Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Churchill or anyone else you select, you have had a glimpse into their mind and now have the advantage or “knowing” them. These people can become your mentors at a distance, if you allow yourself the chance to think about what advice they might give you, or what they might do in a the situation or choice you are facing.”

Looking for posters for your classroom?  Check some out here:  

Growth Mindset Posters.

Pendants and Posters with Theater Artist quotes

Growth Mindset in the Study of Theater Artists

If you are interested in your students learning about growth mindset in theater artists, I have a unit for you: Growth Mindset Unit:  Famous Theater Artists

I’m especially proud of this particular.  I won’t lie–it took me about fifty hours to complete.

This unit (36 pages, 8-10 days) concerns growth mindset in professional theater artists. Students research a theater artist, answer questions about artist’s growth mindset, consider their own mindset and finish with a creative project. This unit was created for high school students, however it could be adapted for middle grade students.

The Product includes:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Two Warm Ups: MY versions of Popular Theater Games and Exercises
  • The Rationale for Studying Theater Artists
  • The Rationale for Studying Growth Mindset Through Theater Artists
  • Teacher’s Script–What I Say and How I Say it!
  • Procedure for Each Day
  • Theater Artists List– EIGHTY-SIX Actors, Actresses, Playwrights, Choreographers, Directors, etc. (Great care and vetting was taken to select appropriate artists from various backgrounds.)
  • Project Choices Assignment Sheet–What is Expected in the Projects
  • THREE Rubrics (EDITABLE)–Slide, Object or Monologue
  • Exit Slip prompts for 8 days–Growth Mindset Questions for the Students to Ponder about Themselves
  • Video Clips
  • Source Page

Like this?  You’ll find it here: Growth Mindset Posters

If you are home schooling your student, this would be a terrific unit for him or her, too!  There’s so many different ways this can be used.  A gifted middle school class could select one assignment of the three choices–with everyone making a slide presentation, for example.  A high school drama, language arts or even psychology class might find this an interesting project.  A unit which can be used by many different students in several grade levels and subjects is very valuable.

Here is a bundle of Famous Theater Artists which give you another way to teach about growth mindset.  Famous Theater Artists

I hope you check it out and think it’s valuable, too!

What experiences do you have with growth mindset in yourself?  That’s part of the focus of the unit.  I’d love to hear from you.

If you are interested in other drama education products for high school, check out the Play Reading Analysis Presentation and Project.

Here’s another unit I think you might like:  Tom Sawyer Study Guide and Unit

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin, Dramamommaspeaks

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful

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The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching Are Successful 

I love this time of year.  Once we reach October, it is such fun for several months. Let’s talk about the reasons thematic units in teaching are successful, shall we? 

You know, I’m such a kid at heart. I still get all excited about the season! It’s fun, fun, fun! 

When the Halloween season was upon us when I was a child, I could hardly contain myself.  It was really tough to concentrate in class.  We didn’t do a lot of learning using themes, but I wish we had.

Let me tell you,  our teachers have it figured out–thematic units work.  

As a child, I don’t remember learning through a theme.  Of course, that was back when we had desks with a top which raised and used a pencil sharpener which was screwed to the blackboard at the front of the classroom.

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful

Yup, it was pretty much like this.

What is a thematic unit in teaching?

“Thematic unit is the organization of a curriculum around a central theme. In other words, it’s a series of lessons that integrate subjects across the curriculum, such as math, reading, social studies, science, language arts, etc. that all tie into the main theme of the unit. Each activity should have a main focus toward the thematic idea.”

As most people know, a teacher needs various teaching methods to reach the students.  Thematic teaching is sly.  It encourages learning using a back door approach.

Sort of like saying, “Oh, neat!  Let’s celebrate Halloween through costume design today.” Here is a lesson to use.

Generally, students are very intrigued.

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching Are Successful

When I was looking for some information which support this approach, I found a lengthy blog post about the subject.  Here are some highlights from it at Forensicoutreach.com:

Thinking outside the box: encouraging understanding beyond the syllabus

Consider this: was there ever a time an issue (perhaps in the arena of current affairs) was raised by a friend or a colleague, to which you hadn’t very much to contribute due to insufficient interest, and therefore knowledge, in that particular area? Once you’d done your homework, so to speak, it probably provoked several questions in your mind that weren’t previously there — simply because you hadn’t had enough material to really examine it.

The involvement of a relevant subject (or theme for our purposes) — drawn into the classroom to help drive a particular unit objective home — has been shown to consistently elicit intriguing questions from enquiring young minds for very much the same reasons. Simply put, entrenching the curriculum firmly within a wider, topical context allows students to look at the same matter in a radically new and different light.

It’s this new lens that allows students to probe the subject with relative ease, and makes thematic teaching (in some cases) more effective than a simple reading assignment.

Making it work: including resources not commonly utilized

We’ve found that classrooms have (perhaps in days of yore) invested in several teaching aids that are seldom used. It’s a frequent finding as we step into the shoes of a teacher for a day at the over one-hundred different institutions we’ve visited: a skeleton in the corner; and unused chemistry slime set; or even crime scene tape, found underneath the cupboard in the room’s front standing area. Thematic teaching allows you to make use of these valuable resources in ways that aren’t limiting or formulaic. Build your unit theme with what is already available to you.

Thematic Units are Wonderful

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful

In another blog post from edtechlens.com, more points are made:

1. It’s more fun to teach and learn using a theme. (Boy, that’s the truth!)

Chris believes fun is a key ingredient in learning. “If children are happy, they are confident, and so are teachers. This magic combination makes teaching and learning so much more effective. Children become inspired and wider-thinking. Teachers may still be exhausted, but now it’s an exhaustion that makes them feel fulfilled and valued,” she says.

2. It harnesses curiosity to motivate learning.  (Probably the most important asset!)

“To me it’s the most natural way to learn,” says Chris. “A child or adult finds something that intrigues them, maybe a foreign stamp or a stone. They want to know more and so they start on a journey of collecting ideas and information. With the stamp, the child finds out about its source, the geography of its people, the music of their homeland, the art work within it. They investigate its richness, draw its setting, sing its songs, write letters to find out more, investigate in books and on the internet. The learning is never sluggish, but is vibrant and exciting.”

3. Educators transition to being facilitators of learning. (Yes, they do.)

“The teacher is no longer a provider of facts copied from the board and learned for homework,” Chris says. “Instead, because the boundaries of exploration are far wider than the teacher can predict, he or she becomes a learning manager.” A learning manager guides children while keeping open the opportunity for self-guided discovery.

4. It teaches children how to learn.  (Such a necessary part of learning–becoming an independent learner.)

With theme-based learning, children are thinking for themselves, following the thread of a topic to explore and discover more. Chris says, “It gives them a taste of moving from one related area to another related area and one builds on another. It’s a way of learning throughout life.”

Thematic Learning in Drama Class.

We use thematic learning in a drama class, too.  In fact, I would imagine every drama teacher uses a theme without even thinking about it.

Here is one for tableau using a holiday theme:

A snowman with a green scarf celebrating the winter season

Tableau Exercises Holiday Themed

Here is another on the Broadway musical, A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story, the Musical

Because I know they work, I created several thematic units which are available through my store, Dramamommaspeaks at Teacherpayteachers.com.

Here is one for Halloween:

Drama Units Halloween Theme  

or a smaller one--Bundle: Halloween Drama Lessons, Designing and Fun

or my newest: Set Design Halloween Themed

or design and make a Halloween costume using only garbags and masking tape!

If you’d like a free guide and lesson plan from me, click here LESSON PLAN

Winter Thematic Units at the Ready

Maybe you are skipping the fall season opportunities for thematic learning and winter is more your style.

Check out: Bundle: Drama Lessons and Plays Winter Theme

 

 

If you ask me, bundles are the way to go.  You always get a discount of some kind and many times I give another free lesson as a thank you for purchasing from me.

I have many more, so do check them out at Dramamommaspeaks

Each lesson includes will save you heaps of time, low prep, step by step instructions and extras.

  • a letter to teacher
  • procedure
  • warm up
  • teacher’s script
  • materials list
  •  lesson
  • exercises
  • extensions
  • source list
  • video clip list, hot linked for you

So, if you are thinking about using drama in your classroom check me out.

Here are two new ones:  The Cask of Amontillado and The Monkey’s Paw

The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful The Reasons Thematic Units in Teaching are Successful

What thematic units are you using at present?  How are they working for you?

I’m always interested in hearing what a teacher is doing or needs created for their classes. These thirty-eight years of teaching should benefit someone other than myself, you know?  Ask away.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com

Deborah Baldwin, Dramamommaspeaks

 

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

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Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

I think blogging about this particular musical is crucial.   That’s why I am blogging about it here. Hamilton the Musical a Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction.” Recently, my husband and I finally had the fabulous opportunity  in catching the touring company performance of it in Kansas City. It’s truly breathtaking.

A combination of rap, musical, history and fabulous storytelling Hamilton is more than exceptional.  It transcends modern-day musicals with its unique crafting.

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction  Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

 

Many American History and Language Arts teachers are teaching the musical in their classroom. Consequently, our students are learning about American history which they might never have learned otherwise

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

Hooray, I say!

What about the theater teachers? Or music teachers? They are probably teaching the story and listening to the music. That’s great, but frankly, I think there’s a lot more to teach about the musical.

I teach theater with a twist.  This is a pretty good description of what I mean. 

Do you like to use quotes in your classroom?  Grab a set of pendants which include Lin Manuel Miranda for your classroom here: Bulletin Board Pendants and Posters

Some of our students do NOT want to perform, but they might be interested in some other part of the theater if we can pique their curiosity.

Here is one way to do so.

How Teaching with Hamilton is Unique

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

You may be aware I am creating a series called Page to Stage–musical theater lessons about Tony award-winning Broadway musicals and one concerning the Tony Awards.   You can check them out– Bundle Drama Lessons: Broadway Musicals

My lessons offer many things.  One of the most important is a description of the responsibilities a playwright, composer, lyricist or producer have bringing a production to life. Plus, I include video clips like this, Lin Manuel Breaks Down His Biggest Songs : https://youtu.be/Urp9MjHLP0s

In the Heights is my latest creation. it includes these descriptions and I’m mighty proud of it, too! Check it out here:  In the Heights 

Teachers purchase these lessons because they work with our students. I always use differentiated instruction in my classroom. For instance, here is a fairly new costume design lesson using the Hamilton Broadway characters as the inspiration. Emergency Substitute Lesson Costume Design with Hamilton Broadway Musical Characters.

Comprehensive Teaching Resources for a Seamless Lesson

Here are the strengths:

  1.  Letter to the teacher explaining the lesson and how to use it which alleviates any worries they might have.
  2.   Warm-up game is included–after 38 years of teaching, I know which ones are appropriate and successful and I give you my version of the games
  3.  Procedure–need I say more?
  4.  Teacher’s Script–sometimes it helps to have a script, especially if you are leaving this for a substitute or an inexperienced teacher
  5.  Photos of the production--we are all visual thinkers, so this is a big plus
  6. Tony Awards it Received (or Nominations)
  7. What are the Tony Awards–brief information about the Tony Awards and which awards the particular musical was nominated for or won
  8. New York City Map with Competing Theaters Labeled–this helps students visualize the theater section of NYC
  9. Trivia About the Shows and Broadway–these are so fun for me to compile!
  10. Lyrics Quotes from the Musical–Good for Discussions and Assignments
  11. Student Notes and a teacher’s key which makes grading a breeze
  12.  Extension Activities--these are probably my most fun to create for teachers.  Each lesson is completely different depending upon the nature of the musical.
  13. Exit Slip Suggestions–if a teacher wants to double-check if the students are comprehending the learning, this is a good way to do so
  14. New!  Flip Book so students can take notes in a different method if need be (only in the PDF version)
  15. Film clip links (hot)–these links are hand-picked by me and include the length and sometimes a recommendation of the grade level who would most appreciate them–all the teacher does is click the link and go!
  16. Sources— a teacher can check out the information if they are curious

Data, Data, Data

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

When I was writing this blog, I found some facts concerning the importance of theater education.  Anyone needing to defend the reasons to teach it?

Do You Need to Be Convinced?

Here are some from the American Alliance of Theater and Education website:

Did you know…

  • Students involved in drama performance coursework or experience outscored non-arts students on the 2005 SAT by an average of 65 points in the verbal component and 34 points in the math component(1)?
  • Drama activities improve reading comprehension, and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills?
  • Drama helps to improve school attendance and reduce high school dropout rates(2)?
  • A 2005 Harris Poll revealed that 93% of the public believes that arts, including theatre, are vital to a well-rounded education (3)?
  • Drama can improve skills and academic performance in children and youth with learning disabilities?

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

More Reasons To Teach Theater to our Students

Theater Students:

  • involved in drama performance scored an average of 65.5 points higher on the verbal component and 35.5 points higher in the math component of the SAT
  • on average, score 55 points higher on verbal and 26 points higher on math than their non-arts classmates.
  •  participate in drama performance outscored the national average SAT score by 35 points on the verbal portion and 24 points on the math section.
  • considered to be at high risk for dropping out of high school cite drama and other arts classes as their motivations for staying in school.
  • who are engaged in the arts are 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance than those who do not
  • A series of studies on the arts and education revealed a consistent causal link between performing texts in the classroom and the improvement of a variety of verbal skills, including especially significant increases in story recall and understanding of written material.
  •  students’ understanding of other complex texts including science and math material when they attend a performance of Shakespeare
  • can improve reading skills and comprehension better than other activities, including discussion.
  • who are highly involved in drama demonstrate an elevated self-concept over those who are not involved.
  • help to build their self-esteem and communication skills of high school students when they write plays and perform in dramatic presentations of existing works can
  •  recognize their potential for success and improve their confidence through the sheer act of performing
  • can improve and help to maintain social and language skills of students with learning disabilities and remedial readers through drama activities.
  •  improve reading achievement and attitude in disadvantaged students through improvisational drama

 

My Final Thoughts

Finally, I wanted to share that a study published in Champions of Change (1999) cites theatre arts, including performance, classes, and participation in a drama club, as a source for “gains in reading proficiency, gains in self-concept and motivation, and higher levels of empathy and tolerance towards others” among youth of low socio-economic status.

Most importantly, 93 percent of Americans believe that the arts are essential to a complete education, 79 percent are convinced that the arts should be a priority in education reform and 79 percent consider the issues facing arts education to be significant enough to merit their personally taking action. Wow!  Amazing data and stats, huh?

Check out Hamilton, the Broadway Musical at: Hamilton the Broadway Musical on Teacherspayteachers.com or in my MadebyTeachers store at: Hamilton the Broadway Musical

and my newest version for the Google Classroom  Hamilton Lesson Distance Learning on Teacherspayteachers.com 

What have you learned from a musical?  Musicals enrich my life so much it is difficult to know where to begin sharing.

I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Hamilton the Musical A Drama Lesson Using Differentiated Instruction

 

MTI Broadway Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True

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MTI Broadway Senior Musicals:  A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True

Once I lamented that I was becoming invisible. A well meaning family member joked, “Well, you know you’re not a spring chicken anymore.” What, you say?

However, there is a new place that seniors can be seen! Let’s discuss today’s blog post, MTI Broadway Senior Musicals:  A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True. Look around you. We have a lot of senior adults aptly named The Baby Boomers.

They aren’t the stereotypical kind, either.  One of my  friends swims great distances. Still another performs in her own rhythm and blues band all over the country. Additionally, one senior and her husband ride motorcycles every weekend. One of my very brave friends, a remarkable woman, travels all over the world by. her. self.  She’s  seventy-years-old.

man and woman holding each other's hands beside Christmas tree

I feel like a slug in comparison. These seniors are vibrant, energetic, contributing members of their communities. My husband, a senior himself, plays in a senior community band.  The conductor was 92 years old!  Isn’t that amazing?

A Paradigm Shift-MTI Broadway Senior Musicals

There is a wonderful paradigm shift occurring right now and it’s all positive (we can use some positive vibes, right?) 

MTI Shows are musicals licensed by Music Theatre International, one of the world’s leading licensing agencies for Broadway and musical theatre productions. MTI represents over 500 titles—including Into the Woods, Matilda, and Shrek The Musical—and offers versions tailored for schools, youth groups, and senior performers.

Their collections include Broadway Junior (for kids), School Editions (for teens), and TYA shows (performed by adults for young audiences), making high-quality theater accessible to all ages and experience levels. And now they are offering senior theater versions! 

Just think of it:  You are living in a care center and bored out of your mind (that would be me…). However, it is announced the center is going to produce a senior musical. What does that mean exactly? 

MTI Broadway Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer's Dream Come True

 A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True Broadway for Seniors

MTI Broadway Senior® shows are specially adapted musicals designed for older adult performers, typically aged 55 and up. These productions are 60-minute versions of beloved Broadway musicals, carefully crafted to suit the physical, vocal, and storytelling needs of senior casts while preserving the heart and humor of the originals.

Key Features:

  • Shorter runtime (around one hour)

  • Simplified staging and flexible casting

  • Lower vocal and physical demands

  • Full performance and rehearsal resources provided (scripts, music, director guides)

Popular Titles Available in the MTI Broadway Senior® Collection:

  • Guys and Dolls SR.

  • Into the Woods SR.

  • My Fair Lady SR.

  • Fiddler on the Roof SR.

 

To be frank, if there is anyone who will be successful at this endeavor, it is MTI.  In another blog post, I rave about their junior and kids musicals.  Check it out here: MTI Junior Musicals– A Dream Come True!

To date, more than 200,000 productions have been produced of their junior musical shows reaching more than 5 million children.

MTI Broadway Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer's Dream Come True
Artswork.org

MTI Senior Musicals:  A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True

Research shows us our seniors with dementia respond to music, so it isn’t much of a stretch to think being part of a musical wouldn’t have the same success. 

Among several other senior citizen communities, the program was road tested with the Juniper Village near State College, Pennsylvania.  The university students of assisted with rehearsals and performances.  Cast members received one on one attention from the students which alleviated the anxiety of performing.  How wonderful!

MTI Broadway Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer's Dream Come True

I thought this quote was interesting, from Playbill.com,

“But what Broadway Senior has really done is give these seniors renewed purpose, engaging them and their curiosity, encouraging positive risk-taking, and validation.”

So often in senior living we focus on what somebody used to do–what they did professionally, what their hobbies were, or who they were in their family.  This is something totally new that people are discovering and being celebrated for now, says Katie Kensinger, Senior Director of Communications at Juniper. We had a 90-year-old cast member in our production of Guys and Dolls who began to sob after our first performance.  He said, ‘I’m overwhelmed that the audience would respond to me, that they really loved it.  I never knew what it was like to be an actor.”

What a tremendous experience for this gentleman!

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When the Curtain Rises, So Does the Spirit

The after effects of involvement in a theatrical production can be stunning.  Out of them spring new friendships, relationships (I met my husband while performing in a community theater production,) new avenues of expression and creativity

The Executive Director of Juniper Village said, “The focus of Juniper is to help people to live life vibrantly in their third act. Broadway Senior gives our residents a sense of pride and accomplishment, and they have renewed self-esteem, and a sense of purpose. They’re also building new friendships and are more engaged. One of our residents said, ‘I have something to talk about at the dinner table now.’”

The program has been able to reach people on a deeper level of mind, body, and spirit. For seniors, particularly those struggling with memory issues and dementia, musical theatre demonstrates therapeutic value.

“It’s definitely accessible for people with dementia,” Kensinger says. “Especially the music. Even if they can’t follow along with the script and read lines, many of these songs are ingrained in their memory. There’s an emotional connection with music that patients will respond to long after they’ve stopped responding to anything else.

MTI Broadway Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer's Dream Come True

MTI Senior Musicals:  A Baby Boomer’s Dream Come True!

Several times in my career, I directed seniors.  One man in particular, age 83, is one of the finest actors I have ever known.  Michael was a retired professor of philosophy and discovered acting about fifteen years ago. To put it simply, he was truly remarkable. He took my directing notes very seriously, studied his script like a fiend and rarely dropped a line.  Unfortunately, was unable to participate in the play because her Alzheimer’s.  Even so, she would dutifully attend rehearsal every evening with her husband.  It was a tremendous experience for both of them and she was so very proud of him. To find out more about the Giver, check out my post: The Reasons I Love The Giver Play

 

The Transformative Power of Theater: Why Seniors Still Need the Stage

When researching this topic, I found a post on Scripps.com concerning senior theater,

“When we watch live theater, we empathize with the emotions and experiences the characters feel, even if we haven’t personally shared the same experiences. Live theater is an opportunity to access new emotions and experience new situations through the eyes of the characters in the show. We feel as if we are a part of the story as the performers tell it on stage.

Live theater is also a way for seniors to engage with these emotions and continue to evolve and participate in complex situations. Even if someone is limited in emotional and social interactions during their daily routine, an outing at the theater creates a new adventure during the show! The sense of engagement and interaction can contribute to an improved mood and a positive outlook overall.”

How Senior Citizens Can Benefit from Elders’ Theatre Workshops | by ...

Finding Purpose at Any Age: The Joy of Performing Beyond Expectations

Humans require a feeling of purpose and accomplishment.  I can see how these Senior Musicals will be just the ticket for some our seniors.

For now, I will cheer the participants. Someday, maybe I can portray Little Red Riding Hood when I am eighty- years old.  Who knows?  It could be a role written for me and I didn’t even know it.

What role would you enjoy playing which is completely out of your age range?  I’d love to hear about it.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

MTI Senior Musicals: A Baby Boomer's Dream Come True