DRAMA

As an elective for one semester students get the opportunity to take on different roles and characters in a variety of ways. 2 of the 5 days we spend on theater vocabulary and the history behind it. Why do we need theater? They will be learning about the cultural importance of theater as well. Weeks 1-2 introduce students to drama. They learn warm-up exercises and games that focus on memorization and trust. Weeks 3-4 center on interviewing a partner. Students contribute to questions asked and then write a script using the information. They rehears the script in another voice or character and perform in front of the class. To assist with nerves and fear of public speaking I play charades with students to get them used to appearing. The next unit to follow teaches the improvisational skills. Next we push on to Reader’s Theater scripts in groups of 4-6. Near the end of the semester we target pantomime which the kids are really excited about. They choose a song and have to act it out using facial expressions and gestures no words. Finally, they will study monologues for men and women. They will select one an then rehearse for the final weeks of the semester. Their final grade will include meeting the requirements of the given rubric coupled with a writing piece that was researched.