Monologue

Content Area: Language Arts

Grade Level:  8th

Objectives with Illinois Learning Standards:

	Students will brainstorm previous knowledge and complete a brief T/F quiz to determine their level of awareness of the Lewis and Clark expedition. (1.C.3a)
	Students will learn about the key members of the Corps of Discovery through handouts, the read aloud text and their own research. (1.A.3a, 1.B.3d, 1.C.3c, 1.C.3d)
	Students will create, develop and write a monologue authentically portraying one of the key participants in the Lewis and Clark expedition. (1.B.3a, 3.A.3, 3.C.3a, 5.B.3b)
	Students will present, in front of the class, a 3-4 minute monologue on the life of this person, and their opinions about the contributions of this person to the success of the Corps of Discovery. (5.C.3b, 4.B.3c)

Strategies/Techniques:

By researching, developing, and organizing a historically accurate and original monologue about a prominent member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, students will gain knowledge and a renewed respect and interest in one of the greatest achievements in the history of the United States.

Materials: 

	Lewis and Clark handouts Lewis and Clark and Me by Lorrie Meyers Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose Sacagawea by Joseph Bruchac
	worksheets on assessment and monologue requirements
	T/F quiz
	3X5 cards
	props
	pen and pencil.
	Numerous other books will be available to students for reference, reading and research: Of Courage Undaunted by James Dougherty, Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O’Dell, The Journal of Augustus Pelletier by Kathryn Laskey

Procedures—

	Anticipatory Set: The Lewis and Clark expedition was one of the greatest achievements of the 19th century.  Teacher will involve students by introducing the lesson with a sample monologue about a member of the Corps of Discovery.  Teacher will use props and costume to gain students’ attention and interest.  Music of Lewis and Clark will accompany the monologue.
	Development: After monologue and brief read to, teacher will preview the assignment by asking students open-ended questions. Teacher will engage students, with a ten T/F question quiz, to determine previous knowledge. Teacher will brainstorm and review answers with students. Teacher will review assignments for next four days. Day 1:  Introduction, quiz, choose person for monologue. Day 2:  Conduct research in computer lab or library. Day 3:  Create stick doll of Lewis and Clark key member, authentic look, teacher will provide the face. Day 4:  First half period write 3-4 minute monologue, second half conduct peer edit. Day 5:Presentation and written monologue due. Teacher will handout background information on key members of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students will randomly select from a hat the name of a major contributor to the success of the Corps of Discovery. (The names to be drawn will be Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Sacagawea. George Drouillard and York.) Information sheet and rubric on the monologue will be distributed. Teacher will read through these requirements with students and emphasize key points. Students will form groups and begin to formulate ideas about research and monologue development and presentation.
	Closure: Teacher will emphasize the importance of research, authenticity, innovation and presentation skills in this assignment.   Several interesting facts about the expedition will be read and discussed.

Modifications/Adaptations:

	Teacher could encourage exceptional students to read more in depth material about the expedition and provide these students a list of resources for this purpose.
	Instead of working on the monologue independently, students could work in groups.
	Additional handouts could be provided students to minimize student research requirements.
	Instead of stick dolls students could make paper dolls or puppets.

Extensions:

	Students could dress up in costumes and use props when presenting their monologues.
	Monologues could be memorized.
	Students could write a biography about their Corps of Discovery member.

Technology: 

	CD of Lewis and Clark music
	video about Lewis and Clark
	list of web sites about the expedition.

Assessment: 

Student performance will be assessed based on the criteria provided in the monologue handout.

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