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English Grades 7-9 Unit Drama, The Diary of Anne Frank

Unit: Dramatic Literature The Diary of Anne Frank (play)

Essential Questions 1. What is human strength and courage? 2. How are these qualities used to overcome adversity? 3. How does the Anne Frank story reflect a true example of human courage and strength? Student Outcomes / Objectives / Common Core Students will read, evaluate, and discuss the dramatic presentation of Anne Franks life. examine Anne Franks personality while making connections to self use textual evidence to support claims develop empathy for people, Jewish and non-Jewish, who were directly affected by the Holocaust. become familiar with terms and places associated with the Holocaust. Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly. Preparation A. Materials a. Student: writing utensils, paper b. Teacher: handouts, computers/IPads with internet access B. Need to do ahead of time: print copies of handouts and rubrics. Make sure there are enough copies of The Diary of Anne Frank play for each student. The play can be

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accessed online at http://www.unorth.k12.in.us/HS/curriculum/online/literature_8/unit6_lit8.pdf

Procedure
BEFORE READING
1. Explain to students that they will soon begin reading The Diary of Anne Frank play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, but before we begin we need to build our background knowledge so that we have a good understanding of everything that is occurring in the play. Background Knowledge is the key to comprehension. 2. KWL Chart WW2. Pass out KWL Holocaust handout to students. Have them complete the first two columns: 1) What they Know about the Holocaust, and 2) What they Want to know about the Holocaust. 3. After a few minutes, discuss as a class what students already know and then what questions they have about the Holocaust. 4. Watch Holocaust documentary. Discuss. After discussion/watching, students should complete the L section of their KWL chart. They should have multiple things by the end of the film. 5. If time, ask students to share what they learned with a partner to end the class.

DURING READING
Over the 2-3 weeks the class will be reading the play The Diary of Anne Frank together. Students will be assigned roles to read; these roles will rotate every scene/class period. After reading scenes in the play, students will be asked to select one journal prompt and write a response approximately one page long (if handwritten). The purpose of the journal assignments is for the students to reflect on important themes from the story and to connect Annes observations and experiences to your own life (text to self). The play has two Acts with five scenes in each. Halfway through the play, before beginning Act II, students will complete the Act One Character Relationships graphic organizer. Act I, Scene 2 (Choose one.) 1. How does Anne react when Peter decides to cut the Star of David (a traditional Jewish symbol) from his clothing, and why do you think she reacts this way? What other symbols or words can you think of that have both a positive and negative meaning? 2. In Scene 2, how does Anne initially feel about going into hiding, and how do her feelings change by the end of the scene? What does Annes father do to make the situation seem positive? Act I, Scene 3 (Choose one.) 1. Do you think Mr. Frank is right in letting Mr. Dussel come to live in the Annex? Explain. Up until this point, Anne has had her own room, but she is willing to give up her privacy to help the dentist. Describe a time you or someone you know had to take a risk or make a personal sacrifice to help another person.

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2. Anne has a habit of speaking her mind, which the other characters find annoying. Do you think this quality is a virtue (positive character trait) or a vice (negative character trait)? Explain your answer. Act I, Scene 5 (Choose one.) 1. Do you think the characters should be celebrating Hanukkah despite their situation? What value do religion and tradition have in helping people through hard times? 2. Scene 5 begins with a prayer and ends with a song which reflects the changing moods of the characters. Using textual evidence, describe the mood at the beginning and the end of the scene. What causes it to change? Act One Character Relationships Graphic Organizer: Using the graphic organizer, students will give examples of action or speech from the text that help the reader understand the relationship Anne has with each person in the Annex. Act II, Scene 1 (Choose one.)
1. Why do you think difficult situations like the one in this play bring out the best in some people and the worst in others? Include specific examples from the text as well as your own experiences in your answer. 2. In Scene 1, Margot says that she just wishes the end would come (807). Has Margot given up? What things are the people in the Annex doing to help them deal with the situation?

Act II, Scene 3 (Choose one.) 1. Mrs. Frank thinks the Van Daans should be exiled from the Secret Annex even though they will probably die on their own. Is Mrs. Frank just stressed out from hiding so long? Do you think this punishment fits the crime? Explain. 2. Anne writes that she has a goal, an opinion (835) about what she wants from life. Describe how Annes goals have changed since she first entered the Annex. How has her character changed/developed? Act II, Scene 4 (Choose one.) 1. Anne says that there have always been people who have been made to suffer sometimes one racesometimes another (839). What information or knowledge do you have from your own experience that supports this statement? 2. One of the most famous lines from the play is when Anne says: I believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart (839). Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? 3. What do you think of Annes advice to Peter to look at it as part of a great patternthat were just a little minute in the life? (839). What does she mean by this?

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AFTER READING
One-pager Project Student directions: A one-pager is a one page document that conveys information about a topic in a clearly organized, highly eye-appealing finished product. The more creative you allow yourself to be, the more you will get out of the reading! Once displayed, your one-pager will also serve as a review and hopefully encourage others to read what you read. It should look like a magazine cover bright, clear images, large block lettering, corresponding colors, and a balanced overall appearance. It should include: On the front: - Title of the play and authors names - One important quotation (a sentence or two from the play) - Include page, quotation marks, and an explanation of the quotations significance - At least 3 drawings, symbols, and/or images that represent aspects of the story - One high level questions someone might have and the answer to that question On the back: - A one paragraph summary of the selection that includes details about the plot, setting, characters, main ideas and conflicts, and the ending - Your name and class period Steps: 1. Create a rough draft write it on blank paper and check off each part as you do it 2. Get blank paper from the teacher and work on your final copy be sure your final includes all elements, has no errors, and is neatly constructed. You will be graded with the rubric on the following page refer to it as you work to be sure you are on task.