Teaching Major Barbara

Instructions for You

Objective: Act 2's all about Barbara versus Dad. It's not looking too good for Barbara, since Andrew has come back and is slowly worming his way into the Salvation Army. You know what they say: never mix work with family.

In this sixty-minute activity, the students will debate the pros and cons of Andrew bankrolling the Salvation Army, considering whether it's appropriate, and what could possibly go wrong (or right, let's give him a chance) if he's allowed have his way.

This activity can be undertaken just before Barbara discusses the issue with other leading figures of the Salvation Army, so the students have knowledge of what's going on but aren't yet sure of the group's decision. We like to keep 'em on their toes.

Materials Needed: a copy of the text and/or Shmoop's summary of Act 2, to keep you informed of developments

Step 1: Split the students into groups of four, and get them going with some analysis of the Salvation Army. They have five minutes to write down at least seven of the organization's functions, such as offering food to the hungry.

When finished, each group will read out their findings, which you can write down on the board. This'll help later when the groups are thinking about whether it's best to have alcohol and guns bankrolling this organization.

Step 2: Sure, it's fun being part of a group, but it's time for the groups to split in two. Well, sort of. Within the groups, students are now going to debate in pairs whether Andrew and Sir Horace Bodger (heh, Bodger) should be allowed support the Salvation Army.

Two students from the group will argue that Andrew and Bodger should be allowed, while the other two will oppose this idea. They're going to go face-to-face in a debate in front of the class. Here's how it'll go down:

• Each student will speak for one minute.
• The first student will argue against Andrew and Bodger funding the Salvation Army.
• The second will argue in favor of the duo putting money in.
• The third will argue against, the fourth for.

Here are a few more guidelines, to make sure the debate is top-notch quality:

• They must refer to what they think will happen if Andrew and Bodger are allowed to have their way.
• They should include at least two main ideas to have enough material to speak for a minute.
• Their ideas must be supported by references to the text, i.e. what they've learned so far in the drama.
• For example, someone opposing the idea could say that Andrew doesn't care about the organization, and is only motivated to offer support due to the identity of the other debtor. Giving money will give him control, and could spell trouble in the long run as he may challenge their ideals and goals. He's already proven he's not interested in charity.
• The students should also use at least one key quote to back up their ideas. For example, they could cast further doubt over Andrew's intentions by reminding the class how he earlier said he wasn't interested in charitable causes: "All the spare money my trade rivals spend on hospitals, cathedrals and other receptacles for conscience money, I devote to experiments and researches in improved methods of destroying life and property." This is a big one-eighty now, and one that should be treated with some caution.

The students can have ten minutes to prepare their speeches. Each pair should work together, to make sure they come up with different ideas. We don't want the second person regurgitating what was already said. In fact, we don't want anyone regurgitating, period.

Step 3: Each pair can split to face off, with the students themselves choosing the order of the debate.

The four students can then debate the issue, revealing their awesome theories about why Andrew will either sink the Salvation Army or save it from impending doom. You can make sure the students keep track of their speech by reminding them when half a minute and then forty-five seconds has gone by.

When all four have finished speaking, the class will vote on which pair won. Students should be instructed to vote according to which pair had the strongest ideas and supported these best with references to the text.

Nice. Moves.

Instructions for Your Students

Act 2's all about Barbara versus Dad. It's not looking too good for Barbara though, as Andrew has come back and is slowly worming his way into the Salvation Army. You know what they say: never mix work with family.

In this sixty-minute activity, you'll debate the pros and cons of Andrew bankrolling the Salvation Army, considering whether it's appropriate and what could possibly go wrong (or right, let's give him a chance) if he's allowed have his way.

Step 1: Like Boyz II Men, grab three other students and form a group. First up in this activity is a quick analysis of the Salvation Army. You've got five minutes to write down at least seven of the organization's functions. For example, they offer food to the hungry.

When you're done, you can read out your seven functions, and your teacher will write them on the board. Later (okay, in ten minutes), you're going to debate whether Andrew bankrolling the Salvation Army is a good thing, so it's handy to keep in mind how they operate before considering how he'd change things.

Step 2: Group time's over. You're now going to split into pairs, and debate within your original group whether it's really a good idea for Andrew and Sir Horace Bodger to pump thousands of dollars into the Salvation Army. Sure the organization needs the money, but maybe it won't be worth it in the long run…

Two students will argue that Andrew and Bodger should be allowed to donate funds, while two of you will challenge this idea. You'll do this in front of the class, who'll look on as you pit your wits against the opposing side. Here's how the debate will work:

• Each student will speak for one minute.
• The first student will argue against Andrew and Bodger funding the Salvation Army.
• The second will argue in favor of the duo putting money in.
• The third will argue against, the fourth for.

You should keep the following guidelines in mind:

• You must refer to what you think will happen if Andrew and Bodger are allowed to have their way.
• You should include at least two main ideas, so as to have enough material to speak for a minute.
• Your ideas must be supported by references to the text, i.e. what you've learned so far in the drama.
• For example, someone opposing the idea could say that Andrew doesn't care about the organization, and is only motivated to offer support due to the identity of the other debtor. Giving money will give him control and could spell trouble in the long run as he may challenge their ideals and goals. He's already proven that he's not interested in charity.
• You should also refer to at least one key quote to back up your ideas. For example, you could cast further doubt over Andrew's intentions by reminding the class how he earlier said he wasn't interested in charitable causes: "All the spare money my trade rivals spend on hospitals, cathedrals and other receptacles for conscience money, I devote to experiments and researches in improved methods of destroying life and property." This is a big one-eighty now, and one that should be treated with some caution.

You've got ten minutes to write a speech. Make sure to talk to the other person arguing your side while you're planning, to make sure you're both focusing on different things. Repetition would just make things awkward.

Step 3: Decide which student will speak first to argue your side.

The fun stuff can then begin, with you and your fellow students expanding on why Andrew will be the savior of the Salvation Army or as destructive as the ammunition he builds. Your teacher will make sure you're sticking within the minute you have to speak, telling you when thirty and then forty-five seconds have passed by.

The rest of the class will decide who's won after the debate. When voting, you have to decide based on which pair had the strongest ideas, while also best supporting these with textual reference. You can't just pick the opposing side because you're not sure about this Bodger guy. Even if his name is "Bodger."