Hello Dolly! Charleston Light Opera Guild

Hello, Dolly! Charleston Light Opera Guild
Lesson and Objectives Listed by Content Area Grades 9-12
Language Arts:
Suggested Pre-performance Activities
Summary of Lesson
Before seeing the performance of Hello, Dolly, students will be asked to familiarize
themselves with the history of American musical theatre. After familiarizing themselves with
some of the more famous musical productions they should have a better understand of the style
and structure of a musical.
Lesson Plan
Students will need to visit American Musical Theatre: An Introduction. Once there,
students will need to read the brief history of American musical theatre, which dates back to the
colonial era. Once students have read the history of musical theatre, they will need to break
into groups and select one of the famous musicals provided in the list below. Students will need
to read the summaries of the plays which they select, and they will need to take notes on the
basic elements and main characters.
Once students have familiarized themselves with the musical, they will need to use a
couple Interactive Graphic Organizers. Students will first need to complete the literary elements
map. By completing this graphic organizer, students will realize that musicals are a way of
telling a story and are no different than plays, short stories, or novels.
After completing the literary elements map, students will need to complete the drama
map. Students analyzing a play can map out the key elements of character, setting, conflict, and
resolution for a variety purposes. An updated version of the Story Map, this interactive graphic
organizer is aimed at secondary students.
Once the graphic organizers are completed, students will need to print their results and
share with the class. Students should find that regardless of the musical, all of the musicals
contain common elements and themes.
West Virginia Content Standards
RLA.S.9.1 Students will apply reading skills to inform, to perform a task and to read for literacy
experience by
• Identifying and using grade appropriate essential reading components (phonemic
awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, written application) and
• Selecting a wide variety of literature and diverse media to develop independence as
readers.
RLA.S.10.1 Students will apply reading skills and strategies to inform, to perform a task and to
read for literacy experience by
• Identifying and using grade appropriate essential reading components (phonemic
awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, written application) and