Lesson Plan

Background Information
Activity Name: Reading Comprehension through acting
Grade/Subject: High School Students Grade 9-12, Literature Classes
Goals: To enhance students comprehension of classic literature
through technology to create and critique a video performance post
reading
Cirriculum Standard: 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 char
acters, 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: NETS Standard:

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 (emphasis on 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 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 can
not be matched if technology was not included in this assignment.