Esperanza Rising - Reader's Theater Lesson Plan

This lesson plan will allow students to express their creativity while testing understanding of the novel Esperanza Rising. Groups of students will work together to reformat the text of a portion of Esperanza's Rising into a short play or skit. Students will understand how novels and scripts for plays differ and demonstrate that understanding in the Reader's Theater scripts they create. Students will understand how to demonstrate literary elements such as setting and characterization in a Reader's Theater play. Students will perform for others and respectfully observe other groups' performances during Reader's Theater. Reader's Theater Performances will demonstrate an understanding of Esperanza's Rising as well as fluency and dramatic expression. Students will reflect and give constructive criticism on their own Reader's Theater performance and the performance of others. Students will reflect on Reader's Theater and its benefits and drawbacks.

Advance Preparation:

-Choose example Reader's Theater scripts and have a variety of these examples to show to students

-Have a classroom set of Esperanza Rising novels available for students to refer to

-Choose groups of students to work together beforehand based on which students have tended to work well together in past group projects

Management:

-Desks will be arranged in a large circle around the border of the room, leaving space in the middle of the room for the Reader's Theater

-Designate an area for each group to work together to draft scripts and rehearse their Reader's Theater skits

Introduction:

Introduce and define Reader's Theater to the class. Give an overview of Reader's Theater and the similarities and differences it has with traditional theater

Show the class examples of Reader's Theater scripts. Can also present videos of Reader's Theater from past classes or even off of YouTube, or have the class perform one of the example Reader's Theater scripts.

Development:

"Today we will write our own Reader's Theater scripts based off of the novel Esperanza's Rising. You will be split into small groups and each group will be given a separate scene from the novel to present in a Reader's Theater play. After you are split in groups and given your scene, your group will work together to write a script. Your script should include both dialogue, and descriptions of the setting, characters and stage directions, as a script would include for any other play. You may use any of the characters involved in your section of the novel, as well as a narrator or multiple narrators. After you've made your script, your group will perform the play for the other groups."

Call off groups, names of each group member and the scene the group must craft their script around. Direct each group to a separate area of the classroom to work on the script. Groups may use copies of the novel, their class notes the many Reader's Theater script examples presented earlier in class to help them write their scripts. The students will be given 30 minutes to create a script that is a minimum of two pages long and rehearse their skits.

After 30 minutes, have students wrap up their rehearsals, clear all materials and desks away from the center of the room and take their places in their desks. Now, call off each group when it is their turn to perform for the other students. The audience will need to record the scene being depicted in each group and constructive criticism on each group's performance.

Closure

Discussion:

"How did the story change when it was presented as a play instead of in a novel?"

"Did the new format add anything to the story or was it distracting?"

"Which parts of the book did the groups perform? Was it easy for the audience to tell which sections of the book were being depicted in various scenes?"

"Any other thoughts or comments on Reader's Theater?"

Students can discuss these reflections questions or respond to them in a journal or any other preferred format

Reader's Theater Scenes:

Group 1: Esperanza's excitement for her birthday celebration is dashed when she learns of her father's death.

Group 2: Esperanza and family travel on a train from Mexico to California

Group 3: Esperanza's efforts at sweeping bring her public humiliation and earn her the nickname, "Cenicienta" (Cinderella).

Group 4: A dust storm threatens the wellbeing of Esperanza's family and leaves her mother sick with Valley Fever.

Group 5: The strikers intimidate the farm workers but are soon swept out by La Migra.

Group 6: Esperanza discovers that Miguel has run off with her hard-earned money. Miguel eventually returns with Abuelita, restoring Esperanza's hopes for the future