Plato Research Activity Script Project for Socials Studies or History

Embark on an engaging educational journey with the Plato Script Project – a comprehensive resource tailored for middle and high school students. This resource includes printable lesson pages and detailed activity guides that bring Plato and his philosophy to life. Featuring a structured project outline, this activity empowers students to delve into historical concepts, sharpen their critical thinking, and participate in interactive, discussion-driven activities. Enhance your curriculum with this ready-to-use, teacher-approved project that is perfect for group work, classroom, home school or individual exploration.

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, who founded the Academy in Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world. He wrote influential dialogues exploring justice, politics, knowledge, and reality, with works like The Republic shaping Western philosophy. His ideas on forms, government, and education continue to influence thought today.

I don't know about you, but my students LOVE talking about their favorite movies and TV shows. This product is designed for students to work together to create a short movie script about Plato. They will research his life and the time period in which he lived and will write their script based on what they learned.

There are seven steps in this project-most need many class periods to complete.

1. Introduction-introducing the project and students begin brainstorming.

2. Research-students answer research questions about Plato and the time period in which he lived. They will learn about major events in his life, what the food was like during the time period, the clothing, setting and more.

3. Character Profiles-students collaborate to create their characters. They talk about what they think Plato was like. They also create three supporting characters for their script.

4. Script Outline-students work together to talk through the main points in a story outline (i.e. climax, rising and falling action, etc.)

5. Writing the Script-students work in their groups to write their script. They are given a rubric and a "Script Writing Paper" which gives them ideas on how to get started and some points when writing a script.

6. Movie Poster-students use their creativity to make the title for their movie, a tag line and a poster to 'advertise' for their movie.

7. Pitch-students are given a rubric and they will 'pitch' their movie to the 'board of directors' (the class). They will present a portion of their script and try to persuade the group to vote for their movie to progress in the 'movie making process.'

This product includes:

1. Teacher Directions-including prep info and materials needed

2. Teacher procedure

3. Teacher tips

4. “Introduction” worksheet

5. Research Packet 

6. “Character Profiles” Packet 

7. “Script Outline” worksheet

8. “Writing a Script” and Ideas worksheet

9. “Script Rubric” 

10. “Movie Poster” worksheet

11. “Pitch Rubric” 

12. “Pitch Notes” 

Materials Needed:

• Pencil

• Copy of “Introduction” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Research” Packet for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Character Profiles” Packet for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Script Outline” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Script Writing” Paper for each group (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Script Rubric” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Movie Poster” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Pitch Rubric” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of “Pitch Notes” Paper for each student (INCLUDED)

• Ability to do research (computers, etc.)

• Optional: Coloring utensils

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