Etta
Moten Barnett
Description
Many critics claim that Porgy
and Bess is the best American opera. In this activity, students
will use the Internet to trace the history of this famous opera.
This activity may take two or three class periods to complete.
Objectives
Students should:
-
use Internet search engines
to gain information about Porgy and Bess
-
understand the significance
of the opera
-
discuss why Etta Moten Barnett
did not like the opera
-
understand the importance of
timelines
-
create timelines of someone's
life and/or career
Procedure
-
Students brainstorm the title
Porgy
and Bess. What is the opera about? What is an opera?
Who are Porgy and Bess? Where do they live? What are they like?
-
Students discuss findings with
class. Where your predictions correct? Why do you think this
opera was important?
-
Students read the excerpt
of Barnett's interview on the Student Activity Page. Barnett said,
"I didn't enjoy Porgy and Bess. It cut up into too many different
parts. It was ruined with movies, different movies and too many people.
I just... I drew the curtain on Porgy and Bess."
-
Break students into groups and
have them discuss what Barnett said about this famous opera. Do you
think there may be other reasons that contribute to her distaste?
Is her opinion important to know when learning about Porgy and Bess?
Have groups share their feelings.
-
Using the Porgy
and Bess: An American Voice link on the Student Activity
Page, students read about the history of the Porgy and Bess. (Please
note that the timeline is two pages long.)
-
Discuss history of the opera.
-
Discuss the timeline.
Is it helpful? Where else have students seen timelines? What
types of information do timelines contain? How are timelines different?
(You may wish to show students different examples of timelines.)
-
Using the Internet Search Engines,
paper, and pen, students create timelines of the person's life and/or career.
-
Students may share their timelines
and findings to the class or in cooperative groups.
Student
Activity Page (go
to the page)
