Digital
History>eXplorations>John
Brown: Hero or Terrorist?>Teacher
Resources>Lesson Plans>Bring
a Painting To Life
Bring
a Painting To Life
These
plans were developed by CAP (Curriculum
Arts Project) at symphonyspace and
are reproduced here with their permission.
For Teachers | For
Students
Overview
In
this lesson, students will write and perform monologues and dialogues
based on the painting “The Last Moments of John Brown”.
These dramatic writing exercises will give students an opportunity
to explore and express a variety of opinions about this historical
figure, his philosophy, and his actions.
GRADE
LEVEL: Middle School students and older
TIME
ALLOTMENT: 2–4 periods
SUBJECT
MATTER: American History, John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry,
Abolition, Art analysis
NYS
LEARNING STANDARDS
Social Studies: I - 1, 2, 3
English Language Arts: I, II
Arts: I, II, III, IV
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
- Investigate,
analyze, and discuss a historical painting, using visual evidence
to support interpretations and assumptions about the characters
in the painting and their historical period.
- Study
a historical event from a number of different narrative perspectives.
- Create
a dramatic character and write a monologue from his/her viewpoint.
- Work
collaboratively with a partner to develop a dialogue between
two historical characters, using a standard theatrical writing
format including stage directions.
- Perform
and discuss an original scene revolving around the John Brown
thematic.
|