Drama in Literature – JSS1 Literature-in-English Lesson Note (Third Term)

Reading a drama text means reading the character names, dialogue and stage directions, then explaining the setting, characters, events, conflict and theme. This lesson uses a short sample play, The Honest Student.

Lesson details

• Subject: Literature in English
• Class: JSS 1
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Topic: Reading and explanation of a drama text

Behavioural objectives

1. Read a drama text aloud with proper expression.
2. State what the characters are saying and doing.
3. Explain the events in a drama scene.
4. Identify and follow stage directions.
5. Answer questions about the drama text they read.

Previous knowledge

• Dialogue form: students know drama is written as dialogue.
• Basic terms: character, stage directions, acts and scenes.
• Features of drama: already taught in earlier lessons.

Teaching aids

• Copies of a simple drama extract
• Whiteboard and markers
• Character name cards
• Chart showing how to read drama

How does the teacher introduce the lesson? (4 minutes)

The teacher opens with questions and a side-by-side comparison of a storybook page and a play script page.

• Question 1: When you read a storybook, how do you know who is speaking?
• Question 2: How is reading a play different from reading a story?
• Question 3: Have you ever acted in a play before?
• Comparison: students notice the differences between the two pages.
• Teacher’s statement: “Reading drama is special because we must imagine we are the characters speaking.”

What are the parts of a drama text? (8 minutes)

A drama text has three main parts: character names, dialogue and stage directions.

1. Character names

A character name tells you who is speaking.

• Style: written in CAPITAL LETTERS or bold.
• Position: appears on the left, before the dialogue.
• Example: TUNDE: Good morning, Mother. This means the character Tunde is speaking.

2. Dialogue

Dialogue is what the characters say to one another.

• Position: appears after the character name, in normal text.
• Use: it is what you read aloud when you play that character.
• Example: MOTHER: Good morning, my son. Did you sleep well? Mother says the words after her name.

3. Stage directions

Stage directions are instructions that tell actors what to do and how to speak.

• Style: usually in brackets ( ) or italics.
• Content: they describe actions, movements or how to speak.
• Examples: (enters the room), (sits down slowly), (angrily), (whispers).

How do we read drama in class?

There are three common ways to read drama in class: role assignment, round reading and whole class reading.

Method 1: Role assignment

• Different students play different characters.
• One student reads all the stage directions.
• Everyone else follows along silently.
• Example: “Bola, you read Tunde. Amina, you read Mother. Chidi, you read stage directions.”

Method 2: Round reading

• Students take turns reading different parts.
• Students change characters when the teacher signals.

Method 3: Whole class reading

1. The teacher reads first and students listen.
2. Students repeat together.
3. Individual students read.

How do we read a drama text with expression?

Reading with expression means using your voice to show the character’s feelings.

1. Match your voice to the character: sound angry if the character is angry, sad if sad, excited if excited.
2. Pay attention to punctuation:
   • Full stop (.): pause briefly.
   • Comma (,): make a small pause.
   • Question mark (?): let the voice go up at the end.
   • Exclamation mark (!): say it with energy.
3. Vary your tone: do not read in a flat voice.
   • Bad reading: “I am so happy to see you.” (said in a bored, flat voice)
   • Good reading: “I am SO happy to see you!” (said with joy and energy)
4. Follow stage directions: sound angry for (angrily), speak softly for (whispers), speak loudly for (shouts).

Class practice

The teacher writes this on the board and students practise reading it with expression.

JOHN: (excitedly) I passed my exam!
MARY: (surprised) Really? Congratulations!

What is the sample drama extract? (15 minutes)

The sample extract is a short classroom scene called The Honest Student. The teacher may replace it with the prescribed text.

The Honest Student

Characters:

• KOFI: a student.
• MRS. ADAMU: a teacher.
• NGOZI: Kofi’s classmate.

SCENE ONE

Setting: A classroom. Mrs. Adamu is at her desk. Students are working quietly.

MRS. ADAMU: (looking at papers) Class, I have finished marking your tests. Most of you did well.

KOFI: (nervously) Ma, what about my paper?

MRS. ADAMU: Kofi, you scored ninety-five per cent! (smiles) You are the best in the class.

NGOZI: (surprised) Ninety-five? Wow, Kofi!

KOFI: (standing up) Ma, I need to tell you something.

MRS. ADAMU: Yes, what is it?

KOFI: (honestly) Ma, you made a mistake. Question number five is wrong, but you marked it correct. My real score should be ninety per cent.

MRS. ADAMU: (looking at the paper) Oh my! You are right. (proudly) Kofi, I will change your score, but I am very proud of you.

NGOZI: (confused) Kofi, why did you do that? You would have been number one!

KOFI: (simply) Because honesty is more important than being first.

MRS. ADAMU: (to the class) Listen, everyone. This is what we call integrity. Kofi could have kept quiet, but he chose to be honest. (claps) Well done, Kofi!

(All students clap)

THE END

How do we read the drama together?

1. First reading: the teacher reads the whole extract aloud while students follow in their books.
2. Understanding check: the teacher asks where the scene happens, who the characters are, and what the problem is.
3. Role assignment: Student A reads Kofi, B reads Mrs. Adamu, C reads Ngozi and D reads the stage directions.
4. Class reading: students read their parts with expression.
5. Discussion: the teacher discusses what happened.

How do we explain a drama text? (13 minutes)

To explain a drama text is to tell what happens in your own words, using the setting, characters, events, conflict and theme.

What is the setting?

The setting is the place where a scene happens.

• Answer: the scene happens in a classroom.
• Proof: the stage directions say “Setting: A classroom.”

Who are the characters?

The characters are the people in the scene: Kofi, Mrs. Adamu and Ngozi.

What are the events in the scene?

The events are the things that happen, in order.

1. Mrs. Adamu tells students she has marked their tests.
2. Kofi asks about his score.
3. Mrs. Adamu says Kofi scored 95% and is best in the class.
4. Kofi stands up and says the teacher made a mistake.
5. Kofi explains that one answer was marked correct when it was wrong.
6. Mrs. Adamu checks and agrees to change the score.
7. Ngozi asks why Kofi revealed the mistake.
8. Kofi says honesty is more important than being first.
9. Mrs. Adamu praises Kofi for his integrity.
10. The class claps for Kofi.

What is the conflict?

The conflict is the main problem a character must deal with.

• Choice 1: keep the wrong score and be number one.
• Choice 2: be honest and get a lower score.
• Result: Kofi chooses honesty.

What is the theme?

The theme is the message the play teaches.

• Answer: honesty is more important than winning or being first.
• Value shown: integrity.

What is the tone?

The tone is the feeling or atmosphere of the scene.

• Start: normal.
• Middle: tense, when Kofi reveals the mistake.
• End: positive and uplifting, when he is praised.

What do the stage directions tell us?

Each stage direction shows an action, a feeling or the way a line is spoken.

Stage directions help us to:

• picture what is happening
• understand feelings
• know how to act if we perform the scene

What are the types of questions on a drama text?

There are four types of questions on a drama text: literal, inference, personal response and theme.

What are the key words in the text?

Students write these words in their notebooks with their meanings.

• Integrity: being honest and having strong moral principles.
• Per cent: out of one hundred.
• Marked: checked and graded.
• Scored: got as a result or grade.

How do we summarise a scene?

A summary is a short account that keeps only the main points.

• Summary example: “Mrs. Adamu tells her class she has marked their tests. Kofi scored the highest with ninety-five per cent, but he notices the teacher made a mistake. Although he could have stayed quiet and been number one, Kofi honestly tells Mrs. Adamu about the error. She praises him for his integrity and the class learns that honesty is more important than winning.”

What questions can the class discuss?

1. Why do you think Kofi told the truth?
2. Was it difficult for Kofi to speak up? Why?
3. How did Mrs. Adamu react to Kofi’s honesty?
4. What did Ngozi learn from this situation?
5. How would you feel if you were Kofi?
6. What does this scene teach about honesty?
7. Can you think of a time when being honest was difficult?

Why do we act out a scene?

Acting out a scene helps students show that they understand the characters.

• It helps you understand better.
• It makes the story come alive.
• It shows if you really understood the characters.
• It makes learning fun.

Simple performance: three volunteers come to the front and act out the scene with expression while others watch. Afterwards the class discusses:

• Did the actors show the right emotions?
• Were the characters believable?
• What could be done better?

How does the scene connect to real life?

The scene connects to real life through the question of honesty. Students share personal stories and opinions on these questions:

• Have you ever been in a situation like Kofi’s?
• Why is honesty sometimes difficult?
• What happens when people are dishonest?
• Why do we value honesty?

Evaluation

1. How do you know who is speaking in a drama text?
2. What are stage directions? Give two examples from the text.
3. Name the three characters in the drama and say where the scene takes place.
4. What did Kofi do that showed honesty, and what lesson does the drama teach?
5. What does (angrily) in a drama text tell you to do?

Assignment

Write a summary of The Honest Student in your own words, in 5 to 7 sentences. Include where the scene happens, who is involved, what happens, and what lesson it teaches.