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lesson & unit viewer

Great Radio Mystery Theater Project

published on: 2/28/2003

Contributing Teacher(s): Dawn Moritz,

Subject Area: Communication Arts/Integrated,

Grade Range: Middle Grades (6-8)

Materials Needed:

• Performance module packet
• Computer with Internet access
• Script, tape, and tape player for "War of the Worlds" 1938 radio play
• Scripts of at least three radio plays

Objective:

1. The student will understand the elements of a mystery.
2. The student will include these elements when writing a mystery play.
3. The student will understand and use correct play writing format.
4. The student will use correct grammar and spelling in their writing.
5. The student will perform radio plays, using appropriate expression and sound effects.
6. The students will work together for the success of their project.

Essential Question:

Instructional Strategy: Cooperative Learning

Process Standards: Goal 2.1 plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences
Goal 2.5 perform or produce works in the fine and practical arts


Content Standards: CA1, CA2,

G.L.E.:
CA - Wr - 3 - E - 09
(Writing, Write effectively in various forms and types of writing, Audience and purpose, Grade 9-12.)


Time Allowance: 2 weeks

Technological Resources:


Extensions:


Integration:


Differentiation:


Assessment:


Description: Students step out of the norm and into the unique by firing the imagination through play writing and sound effects.

Comments: Annotated Frameworks: 5-8, CA II/3/a, b, c 2 weeks needed—

1 day first radio play—also includes discussion of play writing format as well as brief history of radio programs prior to availability of television 1 day for "War of the Worlds" play 3 days to practice and perform radio plays 3-5 days to write, practice, and perform radio plays

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Classroom Component:

Click here to see the video clip of this lesson.

Implementation:

Lessons and Preparation:


1. Give a lesson on the elements of a mystery. (If doing interdisciplinary with reading, this can be done in reading and reviewed in English.)
   
   
2. Obtain a script and audio version of a radio play from the 30s or 40s. There are many available on the Internet. (Do a search for radio mystery plays.) Research the time period of little or no television in homes, and the use of radios for entertainment. Include this information in a discussion before the radio play is read or listened to. Discuss the format of play writing, using the script as an example.
   
   
3. Obtain a script and audio of "War of the Worlds," aired Oct. 30, 1938, by Orson Wells and the Mercury Theatre Players. Discuss the importance and effects of being convincing when reading the script and doing the sound effects.
   
   
4. Obtain scripts of radio plays to be practiced and performed (complete with sound effects) in class. Some scripts can be found in Scholastic's Scope magazine: Mar. 30, 1987, and Jan. 17, 1986, issues.
   
   
5. Copy and hand out the performance module to each student. Allow the students to work in groups (perhaps the same groups that performed the previous radio play).
   
   
6. Call a local radio station to see if they will allow the winning group's play to be aired on the radio.
Interdisciplinary Activities:

Reading - read Bell Prater's Boy by Ruth White

Science - science of fingerprinting

Social Studies - history of radio and television

Math - deductive reasoning, process of elimination



Art -

posters to advertise mystery theater make a comic book out of the play


Accommodations:

Students with special needs feel comfortable doing this unit, because they compete with their own writing and imagination. The unit can stretch across all ability levels.

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RULES IN PLAY WRITING


Directions are written in parenthesis. Ex: BOB: (speaking in a stern voice)

Sound effects are written in parenthesis and in all caps. Ex: (SOUND: PHONE RINGS)

The speaking character's name is at the beginning of his/her line and is in all caps with a colon following the name. Ex: JIM:

There is a space between each speaker.

The characters are the entire story, so what they say and how they say it is extremely important. Make sure this is shown in your writing.

Sound effects and music are very important elements to a radio play. Without them, it's just people speaking. An audience is easily lost and becomes disinterested if they are not stimulated by sounds. Remember, the audience can't see the acting—it's all in the sound!!!!



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ELEMENTS OF A MYSTERY


alibi - a suspect's claim that he or she was not near the crime scene at the time the crime took place

clue - something that appears to lead the detective a step closer to solving the crime
*the reader should share in the discoveries as they are made

deduction - using the facts to infer a conclusion

evidence - something that helps prove who the villain is
*this can be a physical object, foot or fingerprints, testimony of a witness, etc.

villain - an important character who has an understandable motive for the crime

red herring - a false clue that throws the detective and the reader off track

sleuth - someone who investigates and solves a crime

suspects - people who are connected to the crime in some way and appear to have a motive for committing the crime
*the number of suspects must be known to the reader and the villain must be among them

witness - a person who discovers a crime or has some kind of information about the crime

Some other rules to keep in mind when writing a mystery:

• Generally, a death under investigation should not be suicide.
• The story should not contain supernatural occurrences or other happenings which cannot be rationally explained.
• The beginning of the story is where the characters and situation are introduced.
• The middle is where complication arises.
• The ending is where the complications are resolved.



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RADIO THEATER PROGRAM

OFFICE MEMO



TO:	Writers of Radio Theater Program
FROM:	Program Director
RE:	Mystery program request


It has come to my attention that many of our listeners have been requesting more mysteries in our radio theater program. You are to write and perform a mystery, working as a team to come up with something exciting that will leave the listeners wanting more. I will be evaluating your work to determine the effectiveness of your program and to ensure your future employment with this station. Only one play will be chosen to be performed live on the air. You will be evaluated and selected on the following:

• elements of a mystery
• written in play form
• mechanics of the script
• performance of the script (reading of the script, sound effects, organization)
• work as a team
You will have three days to write and organize your work. May the best play win!!!



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Self Evaluation
Mystery Radio Play

Name:__________________________________

Rate yourself on how well you believe you did. Circle the number that applies. 4 is the highest rating.

1. Our script was well written.
   4 3 2 1
   
2. Our group worked well together.
   4 3 2 1
   
3. Our story contained the elements of a mystery.
   4 3 2 1
   
4. We did well on our performance.
   4 3 2 1
   
5. Our sound effects were appropriate.
   4 3 2 1
   
6. I liked this performance event.
   4 3 2 1
   
Comments:





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Radio Mystery Play
Student Scoring Guide

Play Title:____________________________________________

Rate the students' plays according to the following criteria:

The play was organized.
4 3 2 1
The students used a great deal of expression.
4 3 2 1
The sound effects were effective and represented the intended sound.
4 3 2 1
The play had the elements of a mystery.
4 3 2 1
I believe this play would best represent our performance event if performed for the middle school.
4 3 2 1



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RADIO PLAY SCRIPT
SCORING GUIDE

OBJECTIVE 4 3 2 1

The student will write a play, following set guidelines.	The script creatively follows play writing guidelines.	The script follows play writing guidelines.	The script is confusing at times—guidelines weren't always followed.	The script does not follow play writing guidelines.
The student will use elements of a mystery.	The elements of a mystery were used in such a way that the play was suspenseful and entertaining.	The elements of a mystery were included in the play.	Some key elements of a mystery were left out, leaving "holes" in the story.	Most/All elements of a mystery were not included in the play.
The student will use grammar and spelling correctly.	There were no grammatical errors.	There were less than 5 grammatical/spelling errors.	There were 5 - 10 grammatical errors.	There were more than 10 grammatical/spelling errors.


TEACHER COMMENTS:






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RADIO PLAY PERFORMANCE
SCORING GUIDE

OBJECTIVE 4 3 2 1

The student will use expression when reading a play.	The student used such good expression, the characters were convincing.	The student used appropriate expression when reading the play.	The student lacked expression when reading the play.	The student had little or no expression when reading the play.
The student will use creative effects to represent sounds intended for the events in the play.	The effects used sounded so real, it enhanced the imagination of the listener.	The effects sufficiently represented the real sound intended.	The effects were lacking in reality and/or creativity.	The effects didn't represent the intended sounds and were a distraction to the listener.
The student will work cooperatively in a group.	The student contributed greatly to the workings and organization of the group.	The student participated well in the group.	The student had problems working with others.	The student consistently had trouble working in the group, causing the group to be dysfunctional.




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For additional information contact :
Dawn Moritz
Morgan Co. Middle
Morgan Co. R-II
(573) 378-5432
EMAIL: dawnm@mcr2.k12.mo.us