2. PARTICIPATE IN A CLOSE READ
The Little Mermaid
Read the lyrics “Part of Your World” from the musical The Little Mermaid
Annotate the text:
Box the central message
Circle unclear words and phrases
In your own words, write two notes in the margins

3. GENERAL UNDERSTANDING
Discussion
With a partner, discuss the following questions:
THE OBJECTIVE: What is does the singer of this song want?
THE OBSTACLE: What is in the character’s way? What is preventing her from achieving her goal?
Write the objective and the obstacle in the margins

4. KEY DETAILS Discussion With a partner, discuss the following:
Describe at least two activities the singer would like to experience if she got her wish Use details from the text to support your answer
Write your answer in the margins

5. REREAD: DEEPER FOCUS Each person reads one stanza aloud
Look for pronouns
On “I” and “me” point to yourself
On “he,” “she,” “you,” “him,” “her,” “they” or “them” point to someone else at your table
Notice how this adds pauses, inflections, intonations and emphasis
How does this change your initial understanding of the lyrics?
Add to your annotations

6. DISCOVERING CHARACTERS
In this song, the character Ariel tells the audience her inner thoughts and desires.
With your group, discuss the following:
How is Ariel feeling in this song?
What does she want?
Who or what is keeping her from getting what she wants?
Brainstorm a list of ideas (TACTICS) that Ariel could use to overcome the obstacles in her way

7. VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURE
Each person reads one line out loud
Choose one word in your line that you think is the most important
Create a gesture to go with that word
Each person says word with gesture
How does this change or strengthen your understanding of Ariel?
Add to your annotations

8. INFERENCES Read the lyrics out loud
With your table group, discuss the following:
Ariel’s obstacles are both external and internal, she wishes to live out of her waters and her limitations
Choose one line from the song that best conveys Ariel as a character
Add to your annotations

9. CREATE YOUR OWN MONOLOGUE
Monologue: dramatic text spoken (performed) by one person
Write a brief monologue exploring something important that you want or thought that you could never have.
What are/were the obstacles in your way?
What are/were the feelings evoked? Why?