Theater 

7th Grade Theater Syllabus

In a second year of Theatre Arts, students will explore themselves and the world around them, through performance and acting skills, set and costume design and construction, scene studies and playwriting. Students will be challenged to take risks, move outside of their current comfort zones, and use their imaginations to devise new pieces of theatre. Students will will work collaboratively with their peers to complete creative projects. Grades will be based on the students understanding of the standards mentioned below. 

English Language Arts Common Core Standards: 

1) CC ELA Reading 

Responding/Analyzing

Students will analyze theatrical texts and think critically about possible interpretations and deeper meanings of readings relevant to the topic being studied. 

2) CC ELA Writing 

Creating 

Students will use a journal to create original works of art, and to reflect on their own creative process. 

3) CC ELA Speaking 

Performing/Presenting/Producing

Students will perform scripted texts in front of their peers, and work towards presenting and producing original works of art. 

4) CC ELA Listening 

Collaborating/Connecting

Students will collaborate effectively in groups through active listening and clearly communicating with their peers. 

5) Open-Minded (Mr. M’s personal standard) 

Flexibility 

Students will keep an open mind about new topics of study and new activities that may take them outside of their personal comfort zone. 

Class Goals and Units Covered: 

-       Community building and positive communication

-       Creating the Ensemble: exercises in group and self-awareness

-       Musical Theater

-       Drama

-       Improvisation for devising an original performance piece.

-       Writing, editing, and adapting a text for a young audience.

-       Working collaboratively within a schedule toward a deadline

-       Investigating Acting Styles

-       Spoken word poetry as a form of Theatre Arts

-       The process of creating a production concept through group collaboration   

Academic Vocabulary: 

Ensemble, Tableau, Pantomime, Supportive Audience, Active Listener, Improvisation, Enunciation, Articulation, Collaboration, Storytelling, Conflict, Resolution, Scene, Setting, Climax, Playwright, Performance, Dialogue, Monologue, Script, Gesture, Stage, Actor, Actress, Plot, Protagonist, Rehearsal, Scenery, Design, Prop, Self-Advocate, Sympathy, Empathy, and Apathy 

Materials/Supplies

Theater students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 must have the following for every theater class:

1)    marble notebook OR 1-subject spiral notebook OR a loose-leaf binder*

-       If you use a loose-leaf binder, you must have clearly labelled dividers that have the name of each subject in each section.  

2)    sharpened pencil

3)    pen

4)    folder

Classroom Expectations

Students are expected to: 

1)    be on time for class.

2)    use class time productively.

3)    use all materials including those handed out responsibly.

4)    behave in a safe manner.

5)    be respectful to both their peers and their teacher.

Zoom Expectations

Students are expected to: 

1)    be on time for class.

2)    use class time productively and be prepared with all materials.  

3)    display their real name (first and last)

4)    stay muted unless called upon. 

5)    not engage in private chat unless given permission 

6)    use the “raise hand” feature to ask a question.

7)    Always keep their camera on unless told otherwise.

8)    use a non-distracting virtual background if they so choose to

9)    stay in one spot for the entirety of class.

10) not eat while class is in session unless it is communicated with the school for medical reasons.

11) dress appropriately

12) be respectful to both their peers and their teacher.

Grades/Assessment

Quarterly grades are determined by the following categories:

1)    Class Participation (40%) - Students will receive up to 10 points each day on their: 

a.     ability to be prepared for class with a journal, folder, pen and pencil (2 points)

b.     class work completed while in class (2 points) 

c.     active participation in the classroom discussion and performance (2 points) 

d.     ability to follow classroom procedures (2 points) 

e.     homework that is to be prepared and completed in time for class.  (2 points)

2)    Journal (30%) - Students will often write responses to questions, class work and listening examples inside of their journal.  At times, I will ask you to submit pictures of your journal assignments on google classroom.   

3)    Assignments/Quizzes (30%) - Students will work cooperatively with other students on theatrical assignments throughout the year.  They are often long-term and require several classes to complete.  There will also be individual components to some projects that will be completed independently during class time. Students will be assessed on the various topics taught throughout the semester. There will be at least one announced and one unannounced quiz throughout the quarter. 

Homework

There may be times where preparation for projects and quizzes will require work outside of class.   It is crucial that this time is utilized and will be counted as part of your class participation grade.  

Completing Work

Students are responsible for completing all assignments by their due date.  If a project cannot be completed, or a quiz is missed, students will have the ability to make up the work given proper documentation.  All outstanding assignments must be completed one week before the end of a quarter.  

E-mail: smakarowitz@owncs.org