Unit Overview

Context:

This unit explores the concept of home through a variety of dramatic conventions. Students explore the necessity of home, how our home shapes our lives, and the need to leave and recreate new homes in a variety of contexts, both real and imagined. This unit would work well at the mid point of the course after students have become familiar with drama forms and conventions.

Summary:

In this unit, students define the concept of home and explore its importance in their lives. Using dramatic conventions such as role on the wall, tableau, soundscape, writing in role, role play and scene work, students examine the historical event Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Students research and dramatize situations of leaving, losing and rebuilding home. For the final summative evaluation, students create "Before and After" scenes that depict the pivotal moment of a character leaving home, and the effects this decision has on the character's life and the lives of others. Finally, students create an epilogue to one group's presentation that provides closure and reflection on their learning about home. 

Expectations

A1. The Creative Process: use the creative process and a variety of sources and forms, both individually and collaboratively, to design and develop drama works;

A2. Elements and Conventions: use the elements and conventions of drama effectively in creating individual and ensemble drama works, including works based on a variety of global sources;

A3. Presentation Techniques and Technologies: use a variety of presentation techniques and technological tools to enhance the impact of drama works and communicate for specific audiences and purposes.

B1. Critical Analysis Process: use the critical analysis process to reflect on and evaluate their own and others’ drama works and activities;

B3. Continuing Engagement: identify knowledge and skills they have acquired through drama activities and ways in which they can apply this learning in personal, social and career contexts.

C1. Concepts and Terminology: demonstrate an understanding of the nature and function of drama forms, elements, conventions, and techniques, including the correct terminology for the various components;

C3. Responsible Practices: demonstrate an understanding of safe, ethical, and responsible personal and interpersonal practices in drama activities.

Unit Guiding Questions

What is a home? 
How do homes differ from houses?
Why do we need to leave home?
Why do we create new homes?
What is the importance of home in our lives?

Lesson Guiding Questions

Lesson1: Defining Home

What does having a home mean to individuals?
How are homes and families linked?

What would cause an individual to leave home? To return home?

Lesson 2: Homes Lost - The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina
Why might people lose their homes?
How does one go about preparing to leave home?
What do we leave behind when we leave home?
What is the emotional impact of having to leave home unexpectedly? 
Lesson 3: Homes Rebuilt - The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

How do our essential needs become different when home is lost?
What feelings may someone experience in such loss?
What responsibility does the media have in reporting on tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina?

Lesson 4: Leaving Home Summative Evaluation

Why might we leave home and not return?
How do we go about rebuilding a home when it is left or lost? 
Who will we turn to for help when we have left or lost home?

Lesson 5: Leaving Home Epilogue

What advice can you give to those without a home?
How do you empathize with the situation?
How do we rebuild a home?

 

Assessment and Evaluation: How will students demonstrate their learning?

Assessment of learning

Summative Evaluation: Leaving Home Presentations

1. Students will be evaluated during the rehearsal process using the Teacher Observation Checklist 
2. Students will be evaluated for their performance work using the Leaving Home Presentation Rubric
3. Students may be evaluated for their post-performance reflection.
Assessment for Learning

Check Point #1/Lesson 1

Home Collage Presentation Checklist 

Check Point #2/Lesson 2

Mini Monologue Rubric

Check Point #3/Lesson 3

Journal Reflection

Check Point #4/Lesson 4

Scene Creation Checklist
Leaving Home Performance Rubric
Rehearsal Exit Card
Teacher Observation Checklist
Post-Performance Written Reflection

Check Point #5/Lesson 5

Wish for the Future Activity

 

Unit Lessons: How will assessment and instruction be organized for learning?

Approx. Duration 1 class="75" minutes
Lesson 1

Defining Home

 2 classes
Lesson 2

Homes Lost - The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina

 2 classes
Lesson 3

Homes Rebuilt - The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

 2 classes
Lesson 4

Leaving Home Summative

 3-5 classes
Lesson 5

Leaving Home Epilogue

 1 class