Lesson 9
We will continue to explore the question, “Who is Alexander Hamilton?” We will listen to four songs from Act 2 of Hamilton: An American Musical and will reflect on the end of the musical, what we have learned, and questions we still have.
Lesson Goals
- Can I summarize what is happening in Act 2 of Hamilton: An American Musical?
Can I identify different characters and how they relate to the plot?
Can I use connections among details, elements, and effects to make logical deductions about the theme of a text?
Texts
Core
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- Hamilton: The Revolution, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter, Grand Central, 2016
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- Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording), Lin-Manuel Miranda, Atlantic, October 16, 2015
Optional
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- Hamilton, Thomas Kail, Walt Disney Studios, 2020
Materials
Tools
Question Sets
Editable Google Docs
Activity 1: Listen – Read
We read the lyrics and listen to the songs “The Election of 1800,” “Your Obedient Servant,” “The World Was Wide Enough,” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.”
Listen to and read the lyrics of the songs "The Election of 1800," "Your Obedient Servant," "The World Was Wide Enough," and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story."
Add responses to your Act 2 Notice and Wonder Note-Taking Tool to track your observations, thoughts, and questions in the correct section. As you do this, think about the following questions:
What major plot events happen in these songs?
What new information have you gained about Alexander Hamilton?
With a partner, share your observations, thoughts, and questions.
Activity 2: View – Read
We will view and discuss the songs “The Election Of 1800,” “Your Obedient Servant,” “The World Was Wide Enough,” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” from the filmed stage production of Hamilton.
View the songs "The Election of 1800," "Your Obedient Servant," "The World Was Wide Enough," and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" from the filmed stage production of Hamilton. Refer to the lyrics in Hamilton: The Revolution book as needed.
While watching, add responses to your Act 2Notice and Wonder Note-Taking Tool in the appropriate sections to track your observations, thoughts, and questions for each song and its scene. Think about the following questions:
What events are you introduced to in these songs?
What new information have you gained about Alexander Hamilton?
What new information have you gained about Aaron Burr?
What else do you learn about the characters from their movement, facial expressions, gestures, and interactions with other characters in these scenes?
How does the staging of these scenes impact your understanding of the events and characters in the musical?
In a whole-class discussion, share your observations first, your thoughts second, and your questions last.
Activity 3: Write
We will summarize what has happened in Act 2 of Hamilton: An American Musical so far.
Write an objective summarize what has happened from "The Election of 1800" to “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.”
Trade summaries with your partner. Read your partner’s summary, and make notes in the margin that address the following questions:
Does the summary accurately identify the central idea of Act 2 and provide details that develop the central idea?
Does the summary present the details objectively, or does the summary include personal feelings and opinions?
Give your partner one piece of advice to address one of the questions above.
Activity 4: Discuss
We will discuss the ending of the musical and our thoughts on Alexander Hamilton.
In your Learning Log, respond to the following questions regarding your thoughts on the musical:
What did you learn about American history?
What are your thoughts on Alexander Hamilton—the man, the husband, the politician, the soldier?
What are you still curious about?
After writing your thoughts, discuss the questions and your thoughts in your small group.
After discussing in your small group, share your thoughts with the whole class.