Muse Machine 2022 Summer Institute-Inspired Lesson Plan
Developed by Ryan Lamb
Kettering Fairmont High School, Kettering, OH
Fine Arts
Grade Level: 12

What makes some literature timeless such that a story is rewritten and retold forever? From Cinderella to Romeo and Juliet, some stories are adapted over and over offering more relevance, relatability and personal connections for current readers. Ryan Lamb of Kettering Fairmont High School was inspired by the discussion of operatic adaptation at the 2022 Summer Institute Mythology and Metamorphosis: Enduring Transformational Journeys. This lesson shows how Ryan asked his students to analyze The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked to discover how the author’s use of tone, lyrics, style, mood and themes of songs changed the meaning of a single story. Students then created an adaptation plan of their own and wrote the lyrics to one key song from their production. These songs offer strong opportunities for student voices to express modern issues.

The following link is a PDF which may also be printed: