Soap Opera Scheme of Work

6 Drama Lesson Plans for Year 9 (Ages 13-14yrs)

This unit of work introduces students to the genre of television soap opera. It also explores the issue of domestic violence through the use of a text stimulus, the soap opera style and monologues.

Each lesson plan has clearly stated objectives and learning outcomes. They are structured to include introductory warm up, development and plenary sessions. A homework task is also included.

Soap Opera Tooltip

The scheme of work contains 6 drama lesson plans.

Lesson 1: Introducing Soap Operas

Introduction to the basic format and stock characters, with the students devising a short piece of melodrama based on a typical soap opera scenario.
Lesson 2: Stereotypes in Soap Opera

Stereotype cards are used to prompt a thought shower and discussion about preconceptions using frozen pictures.
Lesson 3: Heightening the Drama

Students improvise and develop a highly charged scene using soap opera techniques including dramatic pauses, interruptions and low volume menace.
Lesson 4: Monologues

The plot and characters are developed through the use of monologues set in typical soap opera environments.
Lesson 5: Incorporating Domestic Violence

The poem ‘Only the Day Before’ is used as a backdrop for the development of a scene set after an incident of domestic violence comes to light.
Lesson 6: Mini-Soap Opera Assessment

Students devise and film a scene based on the poem which includes key soap opera elements such as duologue, split scenes and ending in a cliff hanger. Dramatic title music is included!