The Pillowman Lesson Plan

McDonagh's Life and Work

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will be able to consider the relationship between a playwright's life and the writing they produce

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.8

Structure:

Create a collective timeline for the class spanning the years from Martin McDonagh's birth to the present day—either a physical timeline on chart paper or an online timeline using classroom software. Divide students into two groups. One group should be assigned to research Martin McDonagh's life and work, including both his personal life and his writing life. What plays and films is he best known for? How did...