Eric W. Maroney
Part 1
Following a study of the anchor text(s) during which students analyze choices the artists have made in representing particular communities both on the page and on screen/stage, students will create their own documentary theater. Students will select a community inside or outside the school and conduct a series of interviews. The community can be a subset within a larger community. For example, student writers may choose to interview students who attend New Haven Schools from other districts, students who participate in particular clubs, students of a particular gender, religion, ethnic background, etc. Student-writers may also choose to explore a community outside the school such as a church or community center. The interviews that student writers' conduct will be used to compose three to five monologues. The monologues will be presented to the class as a live production or video.
Part 2
After writing and producing the monologues, students will write a short reflection explaining the choices they made in staging the production. This includes an explanation of considerations taken for representing a community. The production and reflection allow the instructor to assess student understanding of the essential questions and skills outlined in unit objectives.
