Developing Character in a Play Creative Arts Primary 5 Second Term Week 10

Lesson Plan on Developing Character in a Play

Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: Primary 5
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 9–10 years
Topic: Developing Character in a Play
Sub-topic: Importance and Techniques of Character Development
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define character development in a play.
2. Identify the importance of developing strong characters for a play.
3. Describe different techniques for developing characters in a play.
4. Apply character development techniques in a short performance.

Keywords

• Character
• Play
• Development
• Personality
• Traits
• Dialogue

Set Induction

The teacher asks the pupils to think about their favorite characters in stories or movies and what makes those characters interesting. The teacher will prompt the pupils to consider the character’s behavior, traits, and how the character changes throughout the story. This sets the stage for learning about character development in a play.

Entry Behaviour

Pupils have basic knowledge of storytelling and acting from previous lessons on role-playing, impersonation, and drama.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Short video clips or scenes from a play or movie showing character development.
• Flashcards of different characters with traits written on them.
• A sample script for a play with character descriptions.
• Props (e.g., costumes, hats) for character portrayal.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher will connect character development to the concept of role-playing, which the pupils learned in earlier lessons. Pupils are encouraged to recall how they developed their own characters during impersonation activities.

Embedded Core Skills

• Creativity
• Communication
• Observation
• Critical thinking

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Cultural and Creative Arts textbooks for Primary 5

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards showing character traits.
• Sample play script with character descriptions.
• Video clips or scenes illustrating character development.

Content

Definition and Explanation

1. Character Development in a Play:
   Character development refers to the process by which a character in a play grows, changes, or learns something throughout the story. A well-developed character is realistic, interesting, and relatable.
2. Importance of Character Development:
   • Makes the play more engaging: Strong characters capture the audience’s attention and create emotional connections.
   • Shows character growth: Characters that evolve throughout the play are more interesting and relatable.
   • Helps in the storyline: Well-developed characters drive the plot forward by making decisions and reacting to events.
3. Techniques for Developing Characters:
   • Physical Appearance: Use of costumes and props to help define the character’s personality.
   • Personality Traits: Give characters specific traits, such as being brave, shy, or funny, to make them unique.
   • Dialogue: How a character speaks can reveal their personality, background, and emotions.
   • Backstory: A character’s past can influence their actions in the play.
   • Relationships with Others: How a character interacts with others can show their development.

Examples of Character Development in Plays:

1. A shy character who becomes more confident over time.
2. A villain who eventually learns the value of kindness.
3. A hero who overcomes a personal flaw to save others.
4. A comedic character who brings humor to difficult situations.
5. A leader who grows from being selfish to selfless.

Evaluation: Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (with Options)

1. Character development is the process of ______.
   a) Changing the storyline
   b) Making a character grow and change
   c) Creating a character’s background
   d) Writing the script
   Answer: b) Making a character grow and change
2. One important aspect of character development is ______.
   a) How the character looks
   b) The character’s personality
   c) The weather in the play
   d) The setting of the play
   Answer: b) The character’s personality
3. Characters in a play should ______ throughout the story.
   a) Stay the same
   b) Act in the same way every time
   c) Grow or change
   d) Never speak
   Answer: c) Grow or change
4. Using costumes and props to show a character’s personality is an example of ______.
   a) Character development through physical appearance
   b) Storytelling
   c) Acting techniques
   d) Writing the script
   Answer: a) Character development through physical appearance
5. A backstory helps a character to ______.
   a) Stay the same
   b) Understand their actions and motivations
   c) Speak more clearly
   d) Be silent
   Answer: b) Understand their actions and motivations
6. How a character speaks in a play reveals their ______.
   a) Costume
   b) Personality
   c) Backstory
   d) Setting
   Answer: b) Personality
7. Character development in a play makes the ______ more engaging.
   a) Characters less interesting
   b) Audience more engaged
   c) Plot more confusing
   d) Setting irrelevant
   Answer: b) Audience more engaged
8. A character who grows from shy to confident is an example of ______.
   a) Personality change
   b) Physical appearance change
   c) Setting change
   d) Plot change
   Answer: a) Personality change
9. The way a character interacts with others can show their ______.
   a) Age
   b) Backstory
   c) Family
   d) Development
   Answer: d) Development
10. A character’s ______ can influence their actions in a play.
    a) Hair color
    b) Backstory
    c) Height
    d) Outfit
    Answer: b) Backstory

Class Activity Discussion: FAQs with Answers

1. What is character development?
   Character development is when a character changes, grows, or learns something throughout a story or play.
2. Why is character development important in a play?
   It makes the play more interesting, helps the audience connect with the characters, and moves the story forward.
3. Can characters change in the middle of a play?
   Yes, characters can change over time, which makes them more engaging.
4. What are some ways to develop a character?
   Through their appearance, personality traits, dialogue, backstory, and relationships with other characters.
5. How does dialogue affect a character’s development?
   Dialogue helps reveal the character’s personality, thoughts, and emotions.
6. What does a backstory do for a character?
   It explains why the character behaves the way they do and helps the audience understand their actions.
7. How can a character’s relationships with others affect their development?
   Their interactions can show their growth, such as becoming kinder or more confident.
8. Can a character stay the same throughout a play?
   While some characters may stay the same, most should show some form of growth or change to keep the story interesting.
9. What type of character development makes a play exciting?
   When characters evolve in ways that surprise or inspire the audience.
10. Can a villain change into a hero in a play?
    Yes, a villain can change and learn important lessons, which adds depth to their character.

Presentation

1. Step 1: The teacher revises the previous lesson on “Impersonation” by asking pupils to recall some of the characters they impersonated.
2. Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic of “Developing Character in a Play,” using examples of well-known characters in stories.
3. Step 3: The teacher leads a group discussion on what makes a character interesting and shows different techniques to develop a character.

Teacher’s Activities

• Introduce the topic of character development through examples.
• Show video clips of plays with strong character development.
• Guide pupils in creating their own character for a short play.

Learners’ Activities

• Discuss different character traits and how they develop in stories.
• Watch video clips and analyze character development.
• Create and perform a short scene with a developed character.

Evaluation Questions (Short Answer)

1. What does character development mean?
2. Name one technique used to develop a character in a play.
3. Why is dialogue important in character development?
4. Give an example of a character who grows in a play.
5. How does a character’s appearance help in their development?
6. What role does a backstory play in a character’s development?
7. Why do characters need to change during a play?
8. Can a character’s relationship with others affect their growth?
9. How does character development help the audience connect with a play?
10. Can a villain become a hero? How?

Conclusion

The teacher moves around the class to assess pupils’ performances and provides feedback on their understanding of character development.