| Phase: |
Before/Engage |
| Activity: |
- Students will explore the photos and descriptions or quotations from the Humans of New York (HONY) series. These can be found online or in the Humans of New York book by Brandon Stanton. NOTE: Stanton has expanded his coverage to include people in other locations, as well, such as India.
- Students will choose one person from the HONY series. The HONY post will give them a photo and a short text but very little else.
- Direct students to complete the Monologue Pre-writing document referring to the photo of the person they selected. This pre-writing activity will walk the students through creating a character bio by making choices about the imagined character's background and experience. Some students may need to do perform research into the person's culture to make more believable choices. Remind students that there are no right or wrong answers, but their choices should be supported by the photo, given text, and additional research.
- Using the information collected during the pre-write, have the students write a monologue from a MOMENT in the life of their character. Students may use direct quotes from the HONY page, but encourage them not to use the entire interview.
- Encourage the students to get into character, and speak it out loud as they write it. Work in small groups to share and get ideas.
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| Assessment Strategies: |
- Create a rubric evaluating the character development and written monologue.
- Students may read and give feedback on one another's written pieces.
- Students may self-reflect or self-evaluate their character bio and written piece.
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| Advanced Preparation: |
Students should have experience or knowledge of scene structure and basic playwriting. |
| Variation Tips (optional): |
Students may write a monologue, duo scene, group scene or longer piece. After writing the piece, students may rehearse and perform. |
| Notes or Recommendations (optional): |
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