Storytelling, Setting, and Theater Arts Integration
The Story of Casey Jones
2nd Grade • English Language Arts (ELA) & Theater
Lesson Overview: This a collaborative lesson plan second-grade lesson integrates theater arts techniques with language arts objectives to explore the concept of setting through the American tall tale "Casey Jones." Students engage in a learning experience about plot structure (beginning, middle, end) and sequencing events in a story, using "Casey Jones" as the primary example.
Learning Objectives | Students Will:
Showcase the sneak previews to an audience.
Reflect on the learning journey and the skills developed throughout the project.
Celebrate the achievements and progress made by all students.
Lesson Process: Students develop understanding about the structure of a story, focusing on the beginning, middle, and end. Students also practice sequencing events through a theater exercise to create a coherent plot. They explore how a clear plot structure enhances storytelling and helps the audience follow the story.
Overall Significance: This lesson plan exemplifies a sophisticated approach to educational design by weaving together multiple pedagogical frameworks - the BIRAC Teaching Spiral, TRUTH Framework, and Universal Design for Learning - to create a rich learning environment that meets students where they are. The integration of theater arts with language arts transforms what could be a standard literature lesson into an embodied, interactive experience where students physically engage with story structure through movement and improvisation, making abstract concepts tangible and memorable.
The significance extends beyond the immediate lesson objectives - while students learn about story structure through Casey Jones, they're simultaneously developing critical teambuilding skills through collaborative theater exercises, building confidence through creative expression, and discovering how their own experiences and perspectives can contribute to collective meaning-making. This exemplifies how thoughtfully designed arts integration can transform traditional academic content into opportunities for holistic development and authentic engagement.
Time Required:
50 minutes
Materials List:
Story of Casey Jones
Three Little Pigs Sequence cards
Materials
Assessment : Assessment includes measuring not only subject matter achievement and arts learning but also teamwork, collaboration, and engagement.
Exit Ticket and observation of participation
Observation: Observe students’ participation and engagement in all activities noticing how they construct their understanding.
Lesson
Activities & Instructions
The Activities & Instructions section provides a structured sequence of learning experiences, guiding educators through engaging, interactive lessons.
Lesson Activities
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Greet students and introduce the focus of today's lesson: understanding the plot structure of a story.
Briefly review the previous lesson on characters and how exaggeration helps in storytelling.
Explain that today, students will learn about the plot, or the sequence of events, and how it forms the backbone of any story.
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Lead a quick, interactive warm-up game that focuses on sequencing using “The three little pigs” as an example.
Have students stand in a line and give each group of students a part of the story (beginning, middle, or end).
Students must physically arrange themselves in the correct order to reflect the plot sequence.
Discuss the importance of having events in the right order to ensure the story makes sense.
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Facilitate a brief discussion on the basic structure of a story: beginning, middle, and end.
Beginning: Introduces the characters, setting, and the problem or goal.
Middle: The main action takes place, where the problem or challenge is addressed.
End: The resolution or conclusion, where the story wraps up.
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Classroom Teacher Activities: Read "Casey Jones" aloud to the class, focusing on the plot progression.
Teaching Artist Activities: Prompt students to think about how each part of the plot connects to the next, helping them understand the flow of the story.
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Teaching Artist Activities: Introduce the "What Happens Next?" improv game to the students. The focus is on building a sequence of events that make up a story, reinforcing the understanding of plot structure (beginning, middle, end).
Explain that one student will be in the middle of the stage, performing a scenario through the actor’s tools.
The teaching artist will call out "What happens next?" and anyone in the group can suggest the next action.
The student in the middle must act out exactly what the group suggests, creating a coherent story through collaborative input.
Possible scenarios related to "Casey Jones" could include:
Casey Jones is getting ready to drive the train. What happens next?
Casey Jones encounters a problem on the tracks. What happens next?
Casey Jones races to stay on schedule. What happens next?
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Ask students how sequencing the events in the correct order helped them understand "Casey Jones" better.
Guide students to complete an exit ticket where they write or draw something they learned about settings and how it affects the story.
NATIONAL CORE ARTS STANDARDS
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Anchor Standard 1
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. -
Anchor Standard 4
Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation.Anchor Standard 5
Develop and refine artistic work for presentation.Anchor Standard 6
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Success Criteria
Students successfully present their sneak previews to an audience, demonstrating clarity, expression, and confidence.
Students engage in reflective discussions, articulating what they learned and how they grew during the project.
Students participate in the celebration of their and their peers' achievements, recognizing their efforts and progress.
Key Themes & Ideas:
Arts Integration: The lesson heavily integrates theater techniques to enhance understanding of plot structure and story elements. The use of improv games and physical sequencing activities aims to make learning engaging and accessible.
"Integrate theater techniques to allow students to express their individual perspectives."
"Students will practice sequencing events through a theater exercise to create a coherent plot."
Plot Structure and Story Elements: The core academic goal is to help students identify and understand the beginning, middle, and end of a story, with a focus on sequence, setting, characters, and theme.
"Students develop understanding about the structure of a story, focusing on the beginning, middle, and the end."
Identify plot structure and describe main story elements (setting: time & place, characters: traits, feelings & behaviors, and sequence) in a literary text.
Connections and Team Building: The lesson aims to allow students to connect the tall tale to their own backgrounds and experiences.
"Students will make connections between the tall tales and their backgrounds and/or experiences."
"Amplify the "student voice" and stories of excellence"
"Demonstrate multi-dimensional awareness about arts integrated classrooms. Recognize the importance of an equitable curriculum and its impact on students."
Accessibility: Assessment methods include observation of student participation, exit tickets, and building a performance-based portfolio.
"Exit Ticket and observation of participation"
"Observation: observe students' participation and engagement in all activities noticing how they construct their understanding."
Collaborative Teaching: This comprehensive lesson plan integrates theater and language arts to teach second-grade students about story structure and plot progression through the tale of Casey Jones. The plan combines traditional classroom instruction with interactive theater exercises, including a "What Happens Next?" improv game, to help students understand beginning, middle, and end story elements while accommodating students’ learning needs through visual aids, Spanish translation, and differentiated support. The collaborative approach between the classroom teacher and teaching artist creates multiple entry points for learning, incorporating physical movement, oral storytelling, and creative expression to deepen student engagement and understanding.
– REACH –
Thank you to our Educators, Artists, and Collaborators.
School: Howlett Elementary
Teacher: Theresa Kauffman
Teaching Artist: Maria Schaedler-Luera
Arts Organization: Atomica Arts
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Resource 1: link