Speech & Drama

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Appendix

Additional Educator Resources

Course Details:

Grades: 7-8

Length: one semester

Prerequisites: none

Course Description:

Speech and Drama is a semester course in which students prepare and deliver speeches, explore the history of theater, study parts of the physical theater, and experience the various jobs in producing and performing a play. It adds flexibility for various school schedules.

Suggested Activities

- Practice preparing and delivering basic types of speeches (e.g., impromptu, oral interpretation, demonstration, informative, and persuasive).
- Regular individual and small group pantomime and improvisation activities.
- Dramatic interpretation of short children’s literature.
- Reader’s Theater

Foundation Reading Skills

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Informational Texts

GS.1 Learners will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a variety of complex print and non-print informational texts – including texts for science, social studies, and technical subjects, and self-selected material.

Literature

GS.2 Learners will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and engage with a variety of complex print and non-print literary texts, both teacher and self-selected.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.1 The learner will read to make meaning while flexibly using a variety of strategies to apply and extend literacy skills with fluency and independence at grade level complexity.

Content Objectives:

Although foundational skills are not identified beyond the sixth grade span, it is important to continue developing them with learners who may need additional support. A variety of strategies will be taught and used with learners to help them understand texts and continue to make meaning.

Reading Literature

Graduate - Level Competency:

Literature

GS.2 Learners will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and engage with a variety of complex print and non-print literary texts, both teacher and self-selected.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.2 The learner will comprehend and draw conclusions about the author’s intent when reading a variety of increasingly complex literary texts from a range of cultures, and cite a range of relevant and compelling textual evidence to support their analyses.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Interpret a theme of the text and analyze author reasoning to develop the text, including use of textual details, textual structures, character interactions, and dialogue to progress the action. The learner will also cite evidence to support the analysis.
- Analyze how various literary elements and devices shape text development and impact meaning.
- Determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade-level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- Compare and contrast how authors treat similar themes or use literary forms for intended effect.

Standards:

AKSS

RL.8.1; RL. 8.2; RL. 8.3; RL.8.4; RL.8.5; RL.8.6; RL.8.7; RL.8.9; RL.8.10; W.8.9.a; L.8.4.a-d; L.8.5.a-c

AASL

I.A.1-2, II.A.1-3, III.A.1-3, IV.A. 1-3, V.A.1-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

AK Cultural

AB, D

Reading Informational Texts

Graduate - Level Competency:

Informational Texts

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.3 The learner will comprehend and draw conclusions about the author’s intent when reading a variety of increasingly complex, nonfictional texts, and cite a range of relevant and compelling textual evidence to support their analyses.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Analyze and explain how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the overall meaning, accuracy, tone, or intended effect.
- Determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade-level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- Compare and contrast how authors portray similar topics, events, or issues, and interpret how the treatment affects the message.

Standards:

AKSS

RI.8.1; RI.8.2; RI.8.3; RI.8.4; RI.8.5; RI.8.6; RI.8.7; RI.8.8; RI.8.9; RI.8.10; W.8.9.b; L.8.4.a-d; L.8.5.a-c; L.8.6; RH.6-7-8.1

AASL

III.A.1-3, V.A.1-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, VI.B.1-3, III.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI..D.1-3

Informational Writing

Graduate - Level Competency:

Writing

GS.3 Learners will write in a variety of modes, including analytical, narrative, explanatory, and expressive, using complex reasoning, structure, and language.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.5 The learner will produce clear, coherent, and effective expository writing for a range of types, purposes, and audiences.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Identify a focus and use informational text structures to develop and elaborate on a central idea or theme.
- Maintain a focus, point of view, formal style, and tone using techniques and features that organize, analyze, and elaborate on information presented.
- Locate and integrate relevant and credible information from sources into a text.
- Develop a conclusion that summarizes or synthesizes key information presented in support of a central idea or theme.
- Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar in a finished product.
- Edit and revise a text for clarity, coherence, and intent.

Standards:

AKSS

W.8.1.a-e; W.8.2.a-f; W.8.4; W.8.5; W.8.6; W.8.7; W.8.8; W.8.9.a-b; W.8.10; L.8.1.a-d; L.8.2.a-c; L.8.3.a; L.8.6; RH.6-7-8.1

AASL

I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

Digital Literacy

6-12.ID.3, 6-12.ID.4

Opinion/ Argument Writing

Graduate - Level Competency:

Writing

GS.3 Learners will write in a variety of modes, including analytical, narrative, explanatory, and expressive, using complex reasoning, structure, and language.

Research

GS.6 Learners will demonstrate the ability to conduct research to investigate self-selected and given topics, evaluate sources, utilize databases, and synthesize information independently and collaboratively.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.6 The learner will produce clear, coherent, and persuasive writing for a range of types, purposes, and audiences.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Use argumentative structures and persuasive techniques to convey claims and counterclaims related to topic, text, and/or issue.
- Locate and use reliable and credible sources (e.g., print/non-print primary and secondary sources, interviews) to expand the topic, text, or issue, and to support diverse points of view.
- Maintain an authoritative stance for the claim/thesis by analyzing evidence used in support of each stated criterion for a position while addressing possible counterclaims.
- Logically connect reasons, facts, analyses, and sources to provide a conclusion.
- Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar in a finished product.
- Edit and revise my text for clarity, coherence, and intent.

Standards:

AKSS

W.8.1.a-e; W.8.2.a-f; W.8.4; W.8.5; W.8.6; W.8.7; W.8.8; W.8.9.a-b; W.8.10; L.8.1.a-d; L.8.2.a-c; L.8.3.a; L.8.6; RH.6-7-8.1

AASL

I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

Digital Literacy

6-12.ID.3, 6-12.ID.4

ISTE

1.c, 2.b-c, 3.a-c, 6.a,c-d, 7.a-b

Speaking, Listening, and Language

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Speaking

GS.4 Learners will demonstrate the ability to speak purposefully and effectively, strategically making complex decisions about content, language use, and discourse style.

Listening

GS.5 Learners will demonstrate the ability to listen critically and reflectively in a variety of settings and purpose.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.7 The learner will initiate and participate effectively in speaking and listening for a variety of purposes and audiences (e.g., informal discussions, formal presentations), listen to diverse perspectives, and express ideas clearly and purposefully.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Demonstrate self-confidence through expression and awareness of dramatic abilities and oral language.
- Apply speech preparation skills such as gathering information, note card preparation, and speech organization.
- Practice delivery skills such as volume, intonation, eye contact, poise, and enunciation.
- Demonstrate speaking skills by preparing and delivering a variety of speeches.
- Respond to and evaluate the content and style of their and other learners’ speeches.
- Demonstrate ability to be active, respectful, and supportive audience members.

Standards:

AKSS

W.8.7; W.8.8; W.8.9.a-b; SL.8.2; SL.8.4; L.8.6; WHST.6-7-8.7; RH.6-7-8.1

AASL

I.A.1-2, III.A.1-3, III.A.1-3, IV.A.1-3, V.A.2-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

Theater and Play Production

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Informational Texts

Speaking

GS.4 Learners will demonstrate the ability to speak purposefully and effectively, strategically making complex decisions about content, language use, and discourse style.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.10 The learner will have a working knowledge of theater history and apply stage terminology to a production.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the major periods in the history of theater (e.g., Greek and Roman drama, Middle Ages, Elizabethan drama, American drama, and multicultural oral traditions).
- Demonstrate knowledge of theater types and basic stage terminology.
- Experience the various jobs in a play production by presenting scenes from a play.
- Demonstrate knowledge of staging.
- Demonstrate knowledge of public relations and crew duties.
- Demonstrate ability to perform basic acting skills including pantomime, improvisation, and characterization.

Standards:

AKSS

RL8.7; RST.6-7-8.7

Technology

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Technological

GS.7 Learners will demonstrate the ability to appropriately use the tools of technology to gather, interpret, collaborate, and analyze information and create shareable products.

Media Literacy

GS.8 Learners will engage in independent critical thinking through accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating a complex variety of media.

Course/ Grade Competency:

MS.9 The learner will demonstrate the ability to appropriately use the tools of technology, including digital media and the Internet, to gather, interpret, and analyze information and create sharable products.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Strategically integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations.
- Use digital tools and reference materials to interpret intended word meanings, expand understanding from definitional to conceptual, and apply them when communicating.

Standards:

AKSS

W.8.6; W.8.7; W.8.8; SL.8.5; L.8.4.c

AASL

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