| Monster Lesson Plan |
| Title Myers� Monster and Reader�s Theatre Overview This is a one-day lesson for a unit dedicated to Walter Dean Myers� Monster. Goals Students will be able to use recall in staging a loose adaptation of the novel. Students will also be able to experience first-hand the American system of justice. Materials Monster and a few props (witness stand, defense and prosecution table, jury box, judge�s seat). Activities/Procedures Students will have prepared for today�s �trial� on a previous day. Students will be given roles for re-creating a section of the book, possibly the section where Steve takes the stand in his defense. In the best situation, students will be asked not to read the ending of the book, therefore the students who are sitting in the jury box can actually deliberate at the end of the scene to determine �Steve�s� guilt or innocence. Students will be encouraged to memorize their lines, but most certainly will be able to use their books during the staging. The idea is to run the classroom as a courtroom in an actual trial, that is, the jury files in, the defendant rises, the judge enters from his chambers, the courtroom is seated, and the questioning begins from the prosecutor or defense attorney. Accommodation This assignment should be fun and flexible enough to cater to a wide variety of learning styles. Those who are uncomfortable or incapable of performing in a �drama� setting will be asked to contribute in some other way (i.e. getting props ready). Extensions A great extension would be to pair Monster with Harper Lee�s To Kill a Mockingbird, in which an innocent black man is also accused of a heinous crime. By doing this, we will be touching upon both young adult literature and classic American literature. We can also ask a reporter for the student newspaper to attend the �trial� and write an article or take a photo for the next edition of the student newspaper. Assessment Students will be given points for participating in the reader�s theater. Absent students will be given an alternative assignment. |