Seventh graders learn the two classic genres of theater — comedy, which entertains and ends happily, and tragedy, which explores serious struggles and loss — the roots of dramatic storytelling since ancient Greece.
Students will be able to…
The ancient Greeks gave us two masks — one smiling, one frowning — for the two great genres of theater. What makes a play a comedy or a tragedy?
Project this and sort each description into comedy or tragedy.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
The Greeks gave us two masks — comedy and tragedy. What sets them apart?
Students explore.
Students rehearse.
Students perform.
Students respond.
Aligned to the National Core Arts Standards (Theatre).
Identify the genre of a dramatic work.
Interpret meaning across genres.
Connect theatre genres to history.
Evaluate works from different genres.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students name a favorite movie or play and decide whether it’s closer to a comedy or a tragedy, and why. A printable genres sheet is in the Arts library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.