History Comes Alive

Teacher Procedures

“Today, we are going to transform the important and interesting facts you found while researching your historical key figure into a compelling and entertaining monologue.”
 

1. “Has anyone ever heard of Alexander Hamilton? Alexander Hamilton was one of America’s Founding Fathers. Most importantly, he created and established our country’s financial system. Ultimately, he was shot and killed by the vice president, Aaron Burr. Interesting facts, right? What if I told you that Alexander Hamilton is also the main character in one of the greatest Broadway Musicals of all time? A man named Lin-Manuel Maranda did exactly what you are doing now. He researched Alexander Hamilton, found important and interesting facts, and wrote an amazing musical that has broken box office records. Take a look at this.

• Show Hamilton: An American Musical Clip on YouTube
• Class discussion about the clip. What did you like? What worked well? What did you learn about Alexander Hamilton in this clip?

2. Our goal is to create interesting dramatic monologues rather than just recite important facts about our key figures. We will use the same concepts the creators of Hamilton: An American Musical used. Remind me what three elements all interesting and compelling monologues have? 

• Monologues have to be written in the first person, present a problem and contain an emotion. A monologue is not just reciting facts off a piece of paper. We will use the facts we learned from researching and transform them into our monologues.

3. For example, let’s use Betsy Ross. Betsy Ross is the woman who created the design for the American flag. Now in history books, this might seem insignificant or irrelevant to the average person. Let’s use the three elements of monologues to create an interesting and entertaining piece of theatre.

• A monologue must be written in the first person. We will no longer refer to Betsy Ross as Betsy Ross, but as I, me, we, us, etc…A monologue must have a problem. This is where we have to think and be creative. When Betsy Ross created the design for the American flag, women had very little rights. In my opinion, that is a problem. A monologue must have an emotion. How amazing that in 1776, a woman was asked to design and create the American flag when women had very little status, so the emotion could be excitement. Now that we have our three elements, let’s write our monologue. Hello, my name is Betsy Ross. The year is 1776 and women in America are thought much less than men. Yesterday, I was asked by the Continental Congress to design the first American flag. Me. A woman! What an amazing opportunity. I started working on this last night. What do you think? (pull out flag design).

4. Now it is your turn. You will use the facts you found while researching in addition to the three elements needed for a monologue to create an entertaining piece of theatre. Please use a pencil and paper to write your monologue. I will be assessing your monologues to ensure that the three fundamental elements are present in your writing”.
5. The teacher will monitor the room answering questions, checking progress, and providing academic feedback.

“Time is up! Please turn in your work. Your assessment checklist will be attached to your piece when I return it back to you next week”. 

Student Procedures

• Students will bring their Historical Key Figure Research Facts to Drama.
• Students will watch a clip on YouTube of Hamilton: An American Musical.
• Students will have a group discussion about the clip.
• Students will observe an example of adapting facts to a monologue.
• Students will adapt facts and write their monologues.

Students will turn in their work for assessment and academic feedback.

The monolouges will not be completed in one day. Students will need encouragement to think creatively and add their own style and thoughts to their monologues. This is not reciting facts! We are using theatre and monologues as a tool and resource to convey the important facts in an interesting way to the audience. Reciting facts is not interesting. Add flare! 

Monologue Dramatic Structure Checklist