August Wilson, Fences , The Piano Lesson
Lesson plans and teaching resources

| Biography and Background | | Frences | | The Piano Lesson |

Biography and Background

August Wilson
Scroll down on the page for a brief biography.

Biography at Wikipedia.

Decades of Drama: Exploring August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle
"Students will examine Wilson's 10-play series in which each play focuses on a particular decade. They then speculate on possible plots for an eleventh play, set in the 21st century."

Fences

Fences
A teacher's resources for the play, including the Langston Hughes poem "A Dream Deferred," and discussion questions; questions to encourage close reading; and a template for producing a mock newspaper page.

Fences
Printable anticipation guide. Word processor required for access.

Fences
This study guide is rich with background information. Requires Adobe Reader for access; 17 pages.

Teaching August Wilson's Fences
Suggestions for final analysis, with emphasis on relationships in the play.

The Piano Lesson

The Lesson the Piano Teaches
This unit plan places heavy emphasis on understanding the historical context of the play. Students write a position paper, and they use technology to present their research. This 15-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Piano Lesson : Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Analysis from Sparknotes.