Orpheus Lesson Plan for 10th Grade Example Students

Topic: The elements of greek tragedy in Orpheus

Objectives & Outcomes

• Analyze the elements of greek tragedy in Orpheus
• Explain how these elements create a sense of tragedy in the play

Materials

• The text of Orpheus
• A copy of the codification of greek tragedy elements (if needed)

Warm-up

• Ask the students if they have heard of greek tragedy and what they know about it.
• Ask them to name some famous greek tragedies and discuss their plot and themes.
• Ask the students to think of a tragedy that they have recently seen or read, and discuss their impressions of it.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of greek tragedy and its main characteristics (such as the use of chorus, tragic hero, and reversal of fortune).
• Using the handout with quotes from Orpheus, discuss the main themes and ideas of the play, and how they relate to the concepts of greek tragedy.
• Using the handout with the plot summary of Orpheus, go through the main events of the play and discuss how they contribute to the development of the themes and ideas.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a copy of the text of Orpheus.
• Have the groups work together to identify and analyze the main themes and ideas of the play, as well as how they are developed through the use of specific plot events and characters.
• Have each group present their findings to the class and discuss as a group.

Independent Practice

• For the independent practice activity, have students choose a different greek tragedy to study and write a short analysis of it.
• Students should include a discussion of the play's main themes and ideas, as well as how they are developed through the use of specific plot events and characters.

Closure

• As a class, discuss the importance of greek tragedy to western literature.
• Ask students to reflect on what they learned about greek tragedy from studying Orpheus, and how they can apply this knowledge to their understanding of other greek tragedies.

Assessment

• Have students write a reflection on what they learned about greek tragedy from studying Orpheus, and how they can apply this knowledge to their understanding of other greek tragedies.