The Phantom of the Opera Lesson Plan

The Elephant Man

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Explore the real-life story of someone with a facial abnormality; compare Erik’s story to Joseph Merrick’s

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.5

Structure:

Explain to the class that, although Erik’s story is fictional, there are real-life instances of people living with differences in their appearances. Play for the class this ten-minute video about Joseph Merrick, commonly and unkindly known as “The Elephant Man”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmb_YN_v6JE. Have students take notes as they watch.

Facilitate a class-wide discussion about Joseph Merrick: what stood out to students about the...