Themes and Plot in the Recommended Drama Text – JSS 2 Second Term Literature Lesson
Literature in English JSS 2 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 3
Subject: Literature in English
Class: JSS 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 11 – 13 years
Topic: Themes and Plot in the Recommended Drama Text
Sub-topic: Understanding Themes and Plot Development in Drama
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define themes and plot in drama.
- Identify the major themes in the recommended drama text.
- Analyze the plot structure of the recommended drama text.
- Explain how themes and plot contribute to the overall message of the play.
Keywords
- Theme
- Plot
- Exposition
- Rising Action
- Climax
- Falling Action
- Resolution
Set Induction
The teacher will begin the lesson by asking students to recall their favorite movies or stage plays and describe their main storylines. This discussion will introduce the concepts of plot and themes in drama.
Entry Behavior
Students have previously studied themes and characterization in prose texts and are familiar with basic storytelling elements.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Copies of the recommended drama text
- Whiteboard and markers
- Story sequence charts
- Video clips or images related to drama performances
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students have encountered different forms of drama in literature, television, and school plays.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Story analysis
- Interpretation
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Approved JSS 2 Literature in English Textbooks
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 2
- The recommended drama text for JSS 2
- Online resources on drama analysis
Lesson Presentation
Step 1: Definition of Themes and Plot in Drama
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher defines theme as the central idea or message explored in a drama.
- The teacher defines plot as the sequence of events that make up the story in a play.
- The teacher explains that a drama’s plot consists of different stages, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students take notes and provide examples of themes from plays they have watched.
- Students describe the sequence of events in a drama they are familiar with.
Step 2: Identifying Themes in the Recommended Drama Text
Teacher’s Activities:
The teacher explains that themes in drama are developed through:
- Characters’ actions and dialogues
- Conflicts and resolutions
- The playwright’s message or moral lesson
Common themes in drama include:
- Power and authority (e.g., a king’s rule and its impact)
- Love and betrayal (e.g., a character deceiving another)
- Justice and fairness (e.g., punishing wrongdoing)
- Courage and heroism (e.g., a character standing up for what is right)
- Greed and corruption (e.g., a leader misusing power)
The teacher guides students in identifying the major themes in the recommended drama text.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students identify and discuss themes from the recommended drama text.
- Students relate the themes to real-life experiences.
Step 3: Analyzing the Plot of the Recommended Drama Text
Teacher’s Activities:
The teacher explains the five stages of plot development in drama:
- Exposition: Introduction of characters, setting, and conflict.
- Rising Action: Events that build up tension in the story.
- Climax: The turning point or most intense moment.
- Falling Action: Events leading to conflict resolution.
- Resolution: The conclusion where conflicts are settled.
The teacher guides students in identifying these stages in the recommended drama text.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students outline the major events in the drama text according to the five stages of plot development.
- Students discuss how the climax changed the direction of the story.
Step 4: Relationship Between Themes and Plot in Drama
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher explains that the plot of a drama helps develop its themes.
- The teacher provides examples from the recommended text showing how events and conflicts highlight major themes.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students analyze how specific events in the play reinforce its themes.
- Students discuss the playwright’s intended message based on the themes and plot.
Evaluation Questions
-
What is a theme in drama?
a) The title of the play
b) The central idea of the drama
c) The name of the playwright
d) The setting of the play -
Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme?
a) Justice
b) Love
c) Betrayal
d) A character’s name -
What is the plot of a drama?
a) The sequence of events in the story
b) The characters’ dialogue
c) The moral lesson of the play
d) The title of the play -
Which stage of the plot introduces the conflict?
a) Resolution
b) Exposition
c) Climax
d) Falling Action -
What is the climax of a play?
a) The introduction of characters
b) The most intense moment in the story
c) The events leading to the conclusion
d) The final resolution -
Which stage of the plot resolves the conflict?
a) Exposition
b) Climax
c) Falling Action
d) Resolution -
If a drama explores the misuse of power by a leader, the major theme is ____.
a) Betrayal
b) Corruption
c) Friendship
d) Love -
The stage of the plot where events become more complicated is called ____.
a) Falling action
b) Rising action
c) Climax
d) Exposition -
A story about two friends who turn into enemies because of greed highlights the theme of ____.
a) Justice
b) Betrayal
c) Love
d) Hope -
A drama that teaches the importance of truthfulness has the theme of ____.
a) Deception
b) Honesty
c) Courage
d) War
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs and Answers)
-
What is the difference between theme and plot?
The theme is the central idea, while the plot is the sequence of events in the story. -
Can a drama have multiple themes?
Yes, most dramas have several themes. -
How does the playwright develop themes?
Through characters’ actions, dialogue, and conflicts. -
Why is the climax important in a play?
It is the turning point that determines the direction of the story. -
How does the resolution affect the drama?
It concludes the story and resolves conflicts.
Assessment (Short Answer Questions)
- Define the term “theme” in drama.
- Mention three major themes in the recommended drama text.
- What is the climax of the recommended drama text?
- List the five stages of plot development.
- How does the resolution of a play affect its theme?
Conclusion
The teacher summarizes the lesson and assigns students to write a short summary of the recommended drama text, highlighting its major themes and plot structure.