Playwrighting Basics
Contributing Educator: Lori Koenig
This introductory unit in Playwriting Basics will give students an opportunity to write a short play and to share that work with classmates using the writer’s workshop model. The writer’s workshop model is a student-centered framework for teaching writing that includes a mini-lesson to introduce a skill, independent writing time where students practice the skill, and sharing time for students to discuss their work. Teachers also use conferencing to provide individual or small-group feedback and guidance, and the process emphasizes student ownership, choice in topic, and frequent writing.
Lesson Plans Included: 9
Materials: Lesson Slides and Google Doc Printable Resources are included to help guide your work and support student learning.
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan Topics
- Becoming a Storyteller for the Stage - Playwriting Basics, Beginning with the End in Mind (TH:Cr2.2.I.b, CC.ELA.W3)
- Developing your Story - Brainstorming Ideas (CC.ELA.W3)
- Plot, Setting and Stage Directions - Outline the Plot & Establish the Setting (TH:Cr2.2.I.b, CC.ELA.W4)
- Dialogue and Character Relationships - Writing Effective Dialogue with Given Circumstances (TH:Pr4.1.I, CC.ELA.W3)
- Putting it All Together - Sharing the First Draft with a writing partner (TH:Pr4.1.I, CC.ELA.W5)
- Revision and Editing 1 - Making Changes in the Format or in the Ideas (CC.ELA.W5, CC.ELA.W6)
- Putting it All Together 2 - Sharing the Second Draft with a Group (TH:Pr4.1.I, CC.ELA.W5)
- Revision and Editing 2 - Making Changes in the Format or in the Ideas (CC.ELA.W5, CC.ELA.W6)
- Playreading Festival! - Final Plays Presented in a Playreading Workshop (TH:Pr6.1.II, TH: Re7.1.I, CC.ELA.SL4)
