Unit(s): Acting/Characterization
Purpose:
To prepare and perform a presentation based on a family member (The presentation should convey the character of this person.)
Objective:
The student will be able to research a family member and prepare and perform a presentation on this character.
Materials:
Video copy of The Piano Lesson by August Wilson. If this in unavailable, another video could be chosen, one based on strong family relationships.
Procedure:
- Watch the video of The Piano Lesson. Discuss the story and the characters it involves, particularly the piano and its significance.
- The students are to choose a relative, living or dead, and write a paper explaining details about that person's life and contributions to the student's family. The student should research this person's background using other family members as resources.
- The students should prepare a presentation of this information. A picture or an object which represents this person should be used in the presentation. The presentation should convey the person's character. Depending upon the experience level of your students, the presentation can be anything from a reading of the paper to a solo acting scene written by the student about the relative.
*This is a great assignment for Black History Month