Determine what students already know about the art form. Write the word "opera" on the chalkboard and ask students to raise their hands and give you any words that come to mind that relate to this key term. Write these words around the word opera, creating a web that shows you what your students already know.
Present some examples on film. Show students several short segments of opera performance, selecting highly exciting parts to get them interested in the genre.
List some opera characteristics. Ask students to think about the segments they viewed and give you some elements that all contained. These elements may include things like singing, dance or actors. If students miss any key components as they create the list, assist them in adding these items to the list.
Tie opera to literature. Select an opera with a clear plot line, such as "The Barber of Seville" in which a count goes in disguise to determine if his potential partner's love is true. Show students that this musical theater form contains the same plot elements as literature by mapping it on a plot structure diagram, identifying the rising action, climax and falling action.
Integrate language learning. Because most operas are performed in a language other than English, studying opera provides the perfect opportunity to learn some phrases in different languages. Select some useful phrases found in one of the operas you will study with your students and teach them these phrases, allowing them to expand their language horizons.
Take learners to see an opera. Opera is an art form that many feel you have to see in person to appreciate. After teaching your students a number of lessons that relate to this theatrical form, reward them with an actual opera performance.