Explore the roles of theatre, film, television, and electronic media such as key developments, figures, and works on American society

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.117.212.04C primary
  explore the roles of theatre, film, television, and electronic media such as key developments, figures, and works on American society.

Lesson Overview

This Grade 7 theatre lesson engages students in exploring how theatre, film, television, and electronic media have influenced American society through key developments, important figures, and notable works. Students will learn to connect these art forms to historical and cultural contexts, understand their societal impact, and express these ideas through dramatic activities.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key developments, figures, and works in theatre, film, television, and electronic media that have shaped American society.
• Explain how these art forms reflect and influence history, society, and culture in the United States.
• Demonstrate understanding of the roles of these media through dramatic expression and reflection.

Success Criteria

• Students can name significant developments and figures in American theatre, film, television, and electronic media.
• Students can describe how these media reflect American history and culture.
• Students can create and perform a short dramatic piece that communicates an aspect of American society influenced by these media.
• Students can reflect on their performance choices and explain how they relate to historical and cultural themes.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of theatre as a form of storytelling and performance, including familiarity with characters, setting, and plot. They should also have some awareness of American history and culture to connect media developments to societal contexts.

Key Vocabulary

• Theatre
• Film
• Television
• Electronic Media
• Historical Relevance
• Cultural Influence
• Development
• Figure
• Work
• Society
• Performance
• Improvisation
• Character
• Setting
• Plot

Materials and Resources

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Video clips or images of key American theatre, film, television, and electronic media works (optional)
• Space for dramatic activities

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare a brief overview of key developments, figures, and works in American theatre, film, television, and electronic media.
• Select or prepare examples of media works to share with students.
• Plan a warm-up activity to engage students in dramatic expression.
• Arrange the classroom space for movement and performance activities.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding the Roles of Theatre, Film, Television, and Electronic Media

Theatre, film, television, and electronic media are powerful forms of storytelling that reflect and shape American society. Each medium has developed over time, influenced by historical events, cultural movements, and technological advances. Important figures such as playwrights, directors, actors, and producers have contributed to these developments, creating works that comment on social issues, celebrate cultural identities, and entertain audiences.

Key Developments in American Media

Theatre in America evolved from early colonial performances to Broadway productions that address contemporary issues. Film introduced new ways to tell stories visually and reached wide audiences, influencing public opinion and culture. Television brought entertainment and information directly into homes, shaping family life and social norms. Electronic media, including digital platforms, continue to expand access and create new forms of expression.

Influential Figures and Works

Figures like Lorraine Hansberry, Arthur Miller, and August Wilson in theatre; directors like Steven Spielberg and actors like Sidney Poitier in film; and television pioneers such as Lucille Ball have left lasting impacts. Works such as "A Raisin in the Sun," "The Wizard of Oz," and "I Love Lucy" reflect and influence societal values and historical moments.

Connecting Media to History and Culture

Media works often mirror the times in which they were created, addressing issues like civil rights, war, immigration, and identity. Understanding the historical and cultural context helps students appreciate the significance of these works and their ongoing influence on American society.

Using Dramatic Expression to Explore Themes

Students can use voice, body, and imagination to create improvised scenes or short performances that reflect themes from American media history. This active engagement deepens understanding and allows students to communicate ideas about society and culture through theatre.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Students take notes and participate in discussion, asking questions and sharing observations about the impact of these media.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: Name one form of media discussed in the lesson that has influenced American society.
2. Developing: Identify one key figure in American theatre, film, or television and explain their contribution.
3. Application: Describe how a specific work in film or television reflects a historical event or cultural theme in American society.
4. Analysis: Compare how theatre and electronic media have differently influenced American culture and society.
5. Challenge: Create a short improvised scene that demonstrates how a particular development in American media has impacted society. Explain your choices for setting, character, and plot.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Theatre, film, television, or electronic media.
2. 2. For example, Arthur Miller was a playwright who wrote plays that addressed social issues in America.
3. 3. The film "Selma" reflects the civil rights movement by portraying important events and figures from that time.
4. 4. Theatre often provides live, immediate reflection on social issues, while electronic media reaches wider audiences quickly and can influence public opinion through various formats.
5. 5. A scene showing a family watching the first televised moon landing, with characters expressing excitement and hope, illustrates how television connected Americans to historic events in real time.

Guiding Questions

• What roles do theatre, film, television, and electronic media play in American society?
• Who are some key figures and what are some important works in these media?
• How do these media reflect and influence history and culture?
• How can we express these ideas through performance?

Common Misconceptions

• Theatre, film, television, and electronic media are separate and unrelated; in fact, they often influence each other.
• Media only entertains and does not reflect or influence society.
• Improvisation is unstructured and cannot convey meaningful themes.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in discussions and dramatic activities.
• Review notes and reflections for understanding of key concepts.
• Use questioning during activities to check comprehension.
• Explain one way theatre or television has influenced American society.
• Perform a short improvised scene that shows a cultural theme from American media.
• Write an essay on the role of a specific media form in shaping American culture.
• Create a timeline of key developments in American theatre, film, television, and electronic media.

Answer Guide

• Name one form of media discussed in the lesson that has influenced American society.
  Answer: Theatre, film, television, or electronic media.
• Identify one key figure in American theatre, film, or television and explain their contribution.
  Answer: For example, Arthur Miller was a playwright who wrote plays that addressed social issues in America.
• Describe how a specific work in film or television reflects a historical event or cultural theme in American society.
  Answer: The film "Selma" reflects the civil rights movement by portraying important events and figures from that time.
• Compare how theatre and electronic media have differently influenced American culture and society.
  Answer: Theatre often provides live, immediate reflection on social issues, while electronic media reaches wider audiences quickly and can influence public opinion through various formats.
• Create a short improvised scene that demonstrates how a particular development in American media has impacted society. Explain your choices for setting, character, and plot.
  Answer: A scene showing a family watching the first televised moon landing, with characters expressing excitement and hope, illustrates how television connected Americans to historic events in real time.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to discuss with family members their favorite theatre, film, television, or electronic media works and how these have impacted their views on American culture and history.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to discuss with family members their favorite theatre, film, television, or electronic media works and how these have impacted their views on American culture and history.

Lesson Summary

This lesson helped students explore the significant roles that theatre, film, television, and electronic media have played in shaping American society. Through learning about key developments, figures, and works, and engaging in dramatic expression, students connected media to historical and cultural contexts. They practiced communicating these ideas through performance and reflection, deepening their understanding of media's influence on society.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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