Signature in the Schools: The Spoken Word Educational Resources
Hello and welcome to Signature in the Schools’ The Spoken Word!
This world premiere production tackles the past and an imagined future, exploring freedoms of speech, expression and the press with what has happened in the past when those freedoms have been silenced. This new play, written by acclaimed theater artist Joe Calarco, also chillingly explores what could happen someday should those freedoms be eliminated.
Explore the world of The Spoken Word with your students. Each of the eight sections below provides articles, lesson plans, images, and more. This guide is intended for classroom use in high schools prior to and after attending The Spoken Word.
The exercises and articles were created by a team of educators and theatrical professionals. These exercises may be used in many capacities; they do not have to be used in order or in correlation with one another. The goals listed in the articles and exercises are derived from the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Bridget Anderson and Matt Strote, dramaturgs
sigschools@sigtheatre.org
Defining Freedom
We read about freedom, dream about freedom, celebrate the idea of freedom, advocate and hope for freedom. But what do we actually mean by “freedom?”
The Constitution and Bill of Rights
Learn more about the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights that limits and empowers both the government and its citizens.
Freedom of Press and Speech
Explore the powers and limits of the freedoms of the press and speech in the United States.
Assembly and Petition
Read about the rights to assemble and petition the government and how it allows citizens to instigate change.
Censorship
Explore the suppression of speech on the basis that such material is considered harmful or sensitive.
Fascism 101
Delve into the basics of Fascism and learn how 20th-century European nations found themselves at the forefront of this political and philosophical wave.
The White Rose
Not all were content with Fascism in Europe. Explore some of the youngest and most compelling figures of rebellion against those in power.
Speaking Up and Out
Learn about possibilities when it comes to speaking up, out and against things you want to bring to the attention of the world.
Signature in the Schools is sponsored by Bonnie Feld and Amazon
Additional support is provided by The Benton-Briggs Fund of the Arlington Community Foundation, Mike Blank, Dominion Energy, Mary Ann Gilleece, Frank Guzzetta & Paul Manville, Andrew A. Isen, Louis Mazawey, PayPal Gives, David S. Shrager Foundation, Venable Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the Washington Forrest Foundation.
The Signature in the Schools original screenplay is sponsored by Dan & Gloria Logan