Theater Arts

Theater Arts Guidelines and Policies with Mrs. Bernardini

Welcome to Theater Arts!  Public speaking, acting, presentations….these are all words that strike fear in the hearts of most people.  Whether you are excited (like me) or petrified (like most people), my hope is that by the end of the year you are comfortable, if not thrilled, getting in front of a group.  We will cover the main areas of communication arts: speeches, presentations, acting, and persuasion.  

With public speaking comes public LISTENING.  I have only a few unbendable rules.   The first one is to ALWAYS be respectful, encouraging, and compassionate to the person/people presenting.  Your kind attention is expected and required.  I have no tolerance for rudeness, unrequested criticism, or cruelty.  To encourage active, kind attention, you will receive a participation grade each time we present speeches.  Cell phone use during speeches is not acceptable behavior.

The second unbendable rule is to always present school appropriate material.  There will be opportunities for you to pick topics.  I will always require you to obtain permission before preparing a topic of your own choosing.  Before obtaining permission, I expect you to consider if your topic is relevant, appropriate, and considerate of your audience.  I don’t mind a little controversy, but I will not tolerate open warfare in my classroom.  My classroom is a safe space for all students, not a soap box for your personal use.

The third unbendable rule is EVERYONE does EVERY assignment.  You must present.  This class is a presentation based class.  If you are not prepared to present in front of the class, I urge you to see your guidance counselor as soon as possible.  Theater Arts is not a required course; it is an elective.  There are other options for a fine arts credit.

Student Expectations:

1. Respect the learning environment.

2. Respect people.

3. Respect the process of learning.

Behavioral Consequences (for not meeting expectations):

1. In-class consequence appropriate to the offense, such as warning, movement to another seat, et cetera.

2. Private conversation with the teacher to discuss the behavior in question.

3. Phone call or email to parent/guardian.

4. Office referral.

**Serious or potentially dangerous behaviors will result in immediate office referral.

Grading Procedures

Presentations 50%

Classwork 15%

Participation 10%

Quizzes 25%

I generally update grades weekly.  If you ever have concerns about your grades, please come talk to me before or after class, or email me!

Make-up Work

You are responsible for making up your work.  You are responsible for arranging a time to give a speech that you miss or taking a quiz you missed.  Please check Google classroom for assignments when you miss school. Speeches will be presented the day you return, unless you have missed more than one consecutive class period.

Re-take Policy

I allow students to retake quizzes or redo classwork assignments, but only for assignments that you have attempted.  If you are present for class and choose not to complete an assignment, you will not have the opportunity to try again.  Speeches cannot be redone unless there are extenuating circumstances.  If you miss the day we present, but you were present for the assignment work day, you are expected to present the day you return. If you miss the assignment work day as well, you must present the second class period after you return.

Tutoring

If you are unable to attend tutoring at the times I have posted in the classroom, please talk to me about arranging an alternate time.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is zero tolerance.  You will earn a zero for a plagiarized assignment.  Use of AI is also strictly prohibited and will earn a zero on the assignment.  Do your own work!

Cell Phone Policy

We will follow school rules in this class.  No phones allowed.  Make sure you bring your chromebook every day so that you can complete research, speech writing, et cetera.

Additionally, I have no tolerance for students who record other students without their permission.  No presentations will be recorded without express permission from the participants.