Instructor: Elizabeth Pittel

Date(s): Third Week/ Fourth Week (1-2 days)

Lesson Plan Title: Streetcar Socratic Seminar
Knowledge:
Characterization: The act or an instance of characterizing. A description of
qualities or peculiarities (yourDictionary.com)
Direct Characterization: The process through which the personality of a
fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases,
or epithets (Dictionary.com)
Indirect Characterization: The process through which the personality of a
fictitious character is revealed through the characters speech, actions,
appearance, etc. (Dictionary.com)
Understandings:
1. The format of a text can change characterization.
2. Plays tend to rely on indirect characterization, since it is comprised of mostly
dialogue.
3. The first act of a play focuses on characterization, since we are being introduced to
the characters
DO:
1. Socratic Seminar on the first three scenes of the play
2. Students will be split into two groups, the outer circle and the inner circle. The outer
circle will be monitoring the inner circle and taking notes on their corresponding
student performance
3. They will then switch roles
Instructional Resources/Materials
A Streetcar Named Desire play
Instructions for Socratic Seminar
Rubric for Socratic Seminar for student reference
Lesson Accommodations (special needs and gifted)
I am working under the assumption that there will be a para-pro in the room should
any students need extra help. I will also make sure that I have a respectful and open
relationship with my students with special needs/accommodations so that they feel
they are heard in my classroom.
CCSS
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Essential Questions:
Students should consider these questions:
1. How does the play format affect characterization?
2. How are all of the characters characterized, both directly and indirectly?

3. How do you think the characters will change over the course of the play? Make
some predictions.
Assessment
Summative & Formative Assessments, Performance Task(s) & Other Evidence i.e. Preassessments, Unit Tests, Quizzes, Essays, Exit Cards, etc.
1. This is all building up to two assessments, one a creative writing assignment
and the other a test on A Streetcar Named Desire.
2. Creative Writing Assignment: The students will be asked to create a character
and write a three page short scene where they will be characterized
3. Test on SND: Choose one character from SND and define what you think is the
MOST important moment for their character. This CANNOT be when a
character dies. Describe the event/moment and analyze why you think this is
this characters defining moment.
What will you do if students do not understand?
Because it is a discussion based classroom, I will make sure to try and build the
student teacher relationship where if a student has an issue
understanding/comprehending a text, they feel comfortable enough to let me know. If a
student does not comprehend the text, I will encourage them to say so before class and
I will try and put them in a group with a student who is high achieving.
Extended Learning (Homework)
Their homework will be to read the next scene of the play (scene four). The next
day we will have an informal class discussion before we read the next scene aloud
(students will be assigned parts).