Online Resource Lists
Classroom Activities
Study Guides
Virginia Stage Company chooses productions that coordinate with school curricula. SOL-based study guides are researched and created by the Education team and provided to each teacher prior to attending the show. Below you will find a pdf version of each study guide.
Touring Productions
Healthy Fixins' with Apples and Oranges
Past Mainstage Productions
All My Sons (Season 37)
The Bluest Eye (Season 40)
A Christmas Carol (Season 39)
A Christmas Carol (Season 40)
Disgraced (Season 39)
Detroit ‘67 (Season 41)
Guys and Dolls (Season 41 - MTI Guide)
I Sing the Rising Sea (Season 38)
Matilda The Musical (Season 40)
Oliver Twist (Season 38)
Our Town (Season 40)
The Parchman Hour (Season 39)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Season 37)
Pride & Prejudice (Season 39)
A Streetcar Named Desire (Season 38)
The Wiz (Season 38)
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Virginia Standards Of Learning
THE SELFISH GIANT
Virginia Stage Company’s production of The Selfish Giant adheres to the following Virginia Standards of Learning requirements for grades K – 3:
Kindergarten – English: K.1, K.2, K.3, K.6,K.8, K.9, K.11,K.12; Math: K.2; Visual Art: K.1, K.2, K.3, K.5, K.6, K.7, K.8, K.10, K.15, K.16, K.17, K.18
First Grade - English: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5,1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13; Science: 1.7; Visual Art: 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.11, 1.16, 1.19
Second Grade - English: 2.1, 2.2., 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13; Science: 2.4; Visual Art: 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 2.16, 2.17, 2.20
Third Grade - English: 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8,3.9,3.10; Science: 3.8; Visual Art: 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.20
MEET MARK TWAIN
Meet Mark Twain offers its audiences a link to the life and works of the great American author and will assist educators in teaching related to the following SOLs.
English:
6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7, 7.8, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.8, 9.3, 9.4, 10.3, 10.4, 11.3, 11.6, 12.6
Theatre Arts:
TI.9, TI.11, TI.13, TI.16, TI.17, TI.18,
TII.9, TII.15, TII.17
6.5, 6.6, 6.14, 6.22, 6.23, 6.24, 6.25, 7.1, 7.6, 7.8, 7.15, 7.18, 7.20, 7.21, 7.22, 7.23, 8.15, 8.18, 8.21, 8.22, 8.25
US History:
USI.1, USII.
MAIN-STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Virginia Stage Company's main-stage productions adhere to the following Virginia English Standards of Learning requirements for grades 4-11:
Reading
Grade Four
4.4 The student will expand vocabulary when reading.
a) Use context to clarify meanings of unfamiliar words.
b) Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
c) Use word-reference materials, including the glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus.
e) Use vocabulary from other content areas.
4.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction texts, and poetry.
a) Explain the author’s purpose.
b) Describe how the choice of language, setting, characters, and information contributes to the author’s purpose.
c) Identify the main idea.
d) Summarize supporting details.
e) Identify the problem and solution.
g) Identify sensory words.
h) Draw conclusions/make inferences about text.
i) Make, confirm, or revise predictions.
j) Identify cause and effect relationships.
Grade Five
5.4 The student will expand vocabulary when reading.
a) Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases.
b) Use context and sentence structure to determine meanings and differentiate among multiple meanings of words.
c) Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
d) Identify an author’s use of figurative language.
e) Use dictionary, glossary, thesaurus, and other word-reference materials.
g) Study word meanings across content areas.
5.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
b) Describe character development.
c) Describe the development of plot and explain the resolution of conflict(s).
e) Describe how an author’s choice of vocabulary contributes to the author’s style.
f) Identify and ask questions that clarify various points of view.
g) Identify main idea.
h) Summarize supporting details from text.
i) Draw conclusions and make inferences from text.
j) Identify cause and effect relationships.
k) Make, confirm, or revise predictions.
Grade Six
6.4 The student will read and learn the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases within authentic texts.
a) Identify word origins and derivations.
b) Use roots, cognates, affixes, synonyms, and antonyms to expand vocabulary.
c) Use context and sentence structure to determine meanings and differentiate among multiple meanings of words.
d) Identify and analyze figurative language.
e) Use word-reference materials.
6.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
a) Identify the elements of narrative structure, including setting, character, plot, conflict, and theme.
b) Make, confirm, and revise predictions.
c) Describe how word choice and imagery contribute to the meaning of a text.
d) Describe cause and effect relationships and their impact on plot.
f) Use information in the text to draw conclusions and make inferences.
g) Explain how character and plot development are used in a selection to support a central conflict or story line.
h) Identify the main idea.
i) Identify and summarize supporting details.
j) Identify and analyze the author’s use of figurative language.
k) Identify transitional words and phrases that signal an author’s organizational pattern.
Grade Seven
7.4 The student will read to determine the meanings and pronunciations of unfamiliar words and phrases within authentic texts.
a) Identify word origins and derivations.
b) Use roots, cognates, affixes, synonyms, and antonyms to expand vocabulary.
c) Identify and analyze figurative language.
d) Identify connotations.
e) Use context and sentence structure to determine meanings and differentiate among multiple meanings of words.
7.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
a) Describe the elements of narrative structure including setting, character development, plot structure, theme, and conflict.
b) Compare and contrast various forms and genres of fictional text.
c) Identify conventional elements and characteristics of a variety of genres.
d) Describe the impact of word choice, imagery, and literary devices including figurative language.
e) Make, confirm, and revise predictions.
g) Make inferences and draw conclusions based on the text.
h) Identify the main idea.
i) Summarize text relating supporting details.
j) Identify the author’s organizational pattern
Grade Eight
8.4 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, analogies, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development within authentic texts.
a) Identify and analyze an author’s use of figurative language.
b) Use context, structure, and connotations to determine meaning and differentiate among multiple meanings of words and phrases.
c) Use roots, affixes, cognates, synonyms, and antonyms to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and technical vocabulary.
d) Use dictionaries, thesauruses, and glossaries to determine definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and usage of words.
8.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
a) Explain the use of symbols and figurative language.
b) Make inferences and draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information using evidence from text as support.
c) Explain how authors use characters, conflict, point of view, voice, and tone to create meaning.
d) Understand the author’s use of conventional elements and characteristics within a variety of genres.
e) Compare and contrast the author’s use of word choice, dialogue, form, rhyme, rhythm, and voice in different texts.
f) Compare and contrast authors’ styles.
g) Identify and ask questions that clarify various viewpoints
h) Identify the main idea.
i) Summarize text relating supporting details.
j) Identify an author’s organizational pattern using textual clues, such as transitional words and phrases.
k) Identify cause and effect relationships
8.6 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts.
b) Make inferences and draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information using evidence from text as support.
c) Analyze the author’s qualifications, viewpoint, and impact. (Author’s qualifications and impact will be excluded.)
d) Analyze the author’s use of text structure and word choice.
e) Analyze details for relevance and accuracy.
f) Differentiate between fact and opinion.
g) Identify the main idea.
h) Summarize the text identifying supporting details.
i) Identify an author’s organizational pattern using textual clues, such as transitional words and phrases.
j) Identify cause and effect relationships.
k) Evaluate, organize, and synthesize information for use in written and oral formats.
Grade Nine
9.3 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development in authentic texts.
a) Use structural analysis of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and cognates to understand complex words.
b) Use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of words and phrases.
c) Discriminate between connotative and denotative meanings and interpret the connotation.
d) Identify the meaning of common idioms.
e) Identify literary and classical allusions and figurative language in text.
9.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of literary texts including narratives, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
a) Identify author’s main idea and purpose.
b) Summarize text relating supporting details.
c) Identify the characteristics that distinguish literary forms.
d) Use literary terms in describing and analyzing selections.
e) Explain the relationships between and among elements of literature: characters, plot, setting, tone, point of view, and theme.
f) Compare and contrast the use of rhyme, rhythm, sound, imagery, and other literary devices to convey a message and elicit the reader’s emotion.
h) Explain the relationship between the author’s style and literary effect.
i) Explain the influence of historical context on the form, style, and point of view of a written work.
j) Compare and contrast author’s use of literary elements within a variety of genres.
k) Analyze how an author’s specific word choices and syntax achieve special effects and support the author’s purpose.
l) Make predictions, inferences, draw conclusions, and connect prior knowledge to support reading comprehension.
Grade Ten
10.3 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development in authentic texts.
a) Use structural analysis of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and cognates to understand complex words.
b) Use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of words and phrases.
c) Discriminate between connotative and denotative meanings and interpret the connotation.
d) Identify the meaning of common idioms.
e) Identify literary and classical allusions and figurative language in text.
10.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze literary texts of different cultures and eras.
a) Identify main and supporting ideas.
b) Make predictions, draw inferences, and connect prior knowledge to support reading comprehension.
e) Identify universal themes prevalent in the literature of different cultures.
g) Explain the influence of historical context on the form, style, and point of view of a literary text.
h) Evaluate how an author’s specific word choices, syntax, tone, and voice shape the intended meaning of the text, achieve specific effects and support the author’s purpose.
k) Compare and contrast how rhyme, rhythm, sound, imagery, style, form, and other literary devices convey a message and elicit a reader’s emotions.
Grade Eleven
11.3 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development in authentic texts.
a) Use structural analysis of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and cognates to understand complex words.
b) Use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of words and phrases.
c) Discriminate between connotative and denotative meanings and interpret the connotation.
d) Identify the meaning of common idioms.
e) Identify literary and classical allusions and figurative language in text.
Writing
Grade Four
4.7 The student will write cohesively for a variety of purposes.
a) Identify intended audience.
b) Focus on one aspect of a topic.
c) Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
d) Organize writing to convey a central idea.
e) Recognize different modes of writing have different patterns of organization.
f) Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
g) Write two or more related paragraphs on the same topic.
h) Use transition words for sentence variety.
i) Utilize elements of style, including word choice and sentence variation.
j) Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
k) Include supporting details that elaborate the main idea.
4.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
a) Use subject-verb agreement.
b) Include prepositional phrases.
c) Eliminate double negatives.
d) Use noun-pronoun agreement.
e) Use commas in series, dates, and addresses
f) Incorporate adjectives and adverbs.
g) Use correct spelling for frequently used words, including common homophones.
h) Use singular possessives
4.9 The student will demonstrate comprehension of information resources to research a topic.
a) Construct questions about a topic.
b) Collect information from multiple resources including online, print, and media.
c) Use technology as a tool to organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
d) Give credit to sources used in research.
e) Understand the difference between plagiarism and using own words.
Grade Five
5.7 The student will write for a variety of purposes: to describe, to inform, to entertain, to explain, and to persuade.
a) Identify intended audience.
b) Use a variety of pre-writing strategies.
c) Organize information to convey a central idea.
d) Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
e) Write multi-paragraph compositions.
f) Use precise and descriptive vocabulary to create tone and voice.
g) Vary sentence structure by using transition words.
h) Revise for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
i) Include supporting details that elaborate the main idea.
5.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
a) Use plural possessives.
b) Use adjective and adverb comparisons.
c) Identify and use interjections.
d) Use apostrophes in contractions and possessives.
e) Use quotation marks with dialogue.
f) Use commas to indicate interrupters.
g) Use a hyphen to divide words at the end of a line.
h) Edit for fragments and run-on sentences.
i) Eliminate double negatives.
j) Use correct spelling of commonly used words.
k) Identify and use conjunctions.
5.9 The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product.
a) Construct questions about a topic.
b) Collect information from multiple resources including online, print, and media.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
d) Organize information presented on charts, maps, and graphs.
e) Develop notes that include important concepts, summaries, and identification of information sources.
f) Give credit to sources used in research.
Grade Six:
6.7 The student will write narration, description, exposition, and persuasion.
a) Identify audience and purpose.
b) Use a variety of pre-writing strategies including graphic organizers to generate and organize ideas.
c) Organize writing structure to fit mode or topic.
d) Establish a central idea and organization.
e) Compose a topic sentence or thesis statement if appropriate.
f) Write multi-paragraph compositions with elaboration and unity.
g) Select vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone, and voice.
h) Expand and embed ideas by using modifiers, standard coordination, and subordination in complete sentences.
i) Revise sentences for clarity of content including specific vocabulary and information.
6.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
b) Use subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases and clauses.
c) Use pronoun-antecedent agreement to include indefinite pronouns.
d) Maintain consistent verb tense across paragraphs.
e) Eliminate double negatives.
f) Use quotation marks with dialogue.
g) Choose adverbs to describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
h) Use correct spelling for frequently used words.
6.9 The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product.
a) Collect information from multiple sources including online, print, and media.
b) Evaluate the validity and authenticity of texts.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
e) Define the meaning and consequences of plagiarism and follow ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.
Grade Seven:
7.7 The student will write in a variety of forms with an emphasis on exposition, narration, and persuasion.
a) Identify intended audience.
b) Use a variety of prewriting strategies including graphic organizers to generate and organize ideas.
c) Organize writing structure to fit mode or topic.
d) Establish a central idea and organization.
e) Compose a topic sentence or thesis statement.
f) Write multi-paragraph compositions with unity elaborating the central idea.
g) Select vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone, and voice.
h) Expand and embed ideas by using modifiers, standard coordination, and subordination in complete sentences.
i) Use clauses and phrases for sentence variety.
j) Revise sentences for clarity of content including specific vocabulary and information.
7.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
b) Choose appropriate adjectives and adverbs to enhance writing.
c) Use pronoun-antecedent agreement to include indefinite pronouns.
d) Use subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases and clauses.
e) Edit for verb tense consistency and point of view.
g) Use quotation marks with dialogue.
h) Use correct spelling for commonly used words.
7.9 The student will apply knowledge of appropriate reference materials to produce a research product.
a) Collect and organize information from multiple sources including online, print and media.
b) Evaluate the validity and authenticity of sources.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
e) Define the meaning and consequences of plagiarism and follow ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.
Grade Eight:
8.7 The student will write in a variety of forms, including narration, exposition, persuasion, and informational.
a) Identify intended audience.
b) Use prewriting strategies to generate and organize ideas.
c) Distinguish between a thesis statement and a topic sentence.
d) Organize details to elaborate the central idea and provide unity.
e) Select specific vocabulary and information for audience and purpose.
f) Use interview quotations as evidence.
g) Revise writing for clarity of content, word choice, sentence variety, and transitions among paragraphs.
8.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
b) Use and punctuate correctly varied sentence structures to include conjunctions and transition words.
c) Choose the correct case and number for pronouns in prepositional phrases with compound objects.
d) Maintain consistent verb tense across paragraphs.
e) Use comparative and superlative degrees in adverbs and adjectives.
f) Use quotation marks with dialogue and direct quotations.
g) Use correct spelling for frequently used words.
8.9 The student will apply knowledge of appropriate reference materials to produce a research product.
a) Collect and synthesize information from multiple sources including online, print and media.
b) Evaluate the validity and authenticity of texts.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
d) Make sense of information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, main and supporting ideas, conflicting information, point of view or bias.
g) Define the meaning and consequences of plagiarism and follow ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.