In this course students will learn how to creatively develop original ideas,  to work collaboratively as an ensemble, and to give and receive feedback,  and to communicate impactfully to audiences.  This class is aligned with the National Arts Standards as well as the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards. 

Learning Targets

Students will be able to: 

• show confidence on stage

• speak loudly, distinctly and communicate meaning.

• create characters using voice, body and imagination

• devise original characters and storylines

• partner with others effectively onstage and in rehearsal

• exchange ideas, insights and feedback with stage partners, classmates, and directors

•  understand the work as a whole, how to meaningfully contribute their part to the overall effect

• work creatively as an ensemble

• effectively prepare themself for rehearsal or performance

• be responsible for learning lines and blocking (stage movement)  as required

• utilize rehearsal time appropriately and productively

• understand the purpose and emotion of the work being performed

• take risks onstage

• add their own voice/ interpretation to theatrical work

Essential Standards

These standards represent the core learning targets of the Drama program. They are from the California Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards are were selected as the most fundamental skills for success in the course and future college and career pathways. While we will cover many other skills and concepts, the course is shaped for students to master the following standards.

Creating: 

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and Conceptualize Artistic Ideas and Work

• Develop a scripted or improvised character by articulating the character’s inner thoughts, objectives, and motivations in a drama/theatre work.

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and Work

• Examine and justify original ideas and artistic choices in a drama/theatre work based on critical analysis, personal experience, and historical and cultural context.

• Demonstrate mutual respect for self and others and their roles in preparing or devising drama/theatre work.

Anchor Standard 3: Refine and Complete Artistic Work

• Develop effective physical and vocal traits of characters in an improvised or scripted drama/theatre work.

Performing:

Anchor Standard 4: Select, Analyze, and Interpret Artistic Work for Presentation

• Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.

Anchor Standard 6: Convey Meaning Through the Presentation of Artistic Work

• Create through improvisation a drama/theatre work that will be shared with an audience.

Responding:

Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and Analyze Artistic Work

• Apply appropriate criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work

Anchor Standard 8: Interpret Intent and Meaning in Artistic Work

• Recognize and share artistic choices when participating in or observing a drama/theatre work.

Communication

The best way to contact me is via email at hraines@srvusd.net.

Assignment Tracking

We will be using Google Classroom as the information hub to track student progress and post class activities. Overviews of each day's assignments  will be posted on the class page of the IHMS Drama Department website. To access the agenda, click on the projection screen in the  virtual classroom. 

Attendance and Absence Policy

Students who miss school due to excused absences will be given the opportunity to make up all missed work. Upon returning to school, the student should check this website and Schoology to see what what missed. Absent students should utilize tutorials as needed to go over missed work. 

Homework

Excepting script memorization, there will be little to no homework in Beginning  Drama.  All other reading and writing will be structured into our class time. Students will be given plenty of notice regarding memorization deadlines.

SRVUSD Homework Policy

Performances

In Beginning Drama, there are no performances outside regular class time.

Gradebook Weighting

All assignments, designs, rehearsals, performances,  peer and self evaluations and other work Drama class will be separated into three weighted categories to compile a student grade.

The three categories are:

Creating ( envision, conceptualize, rehearse, develop) 50%

Creating grade may include:  in class exercises, improvisations, scene work, selecting character objectives, rehearsals

Performing (select, prepare, share, present) 35%

Performance grade includes:  line tests, scene work, monologues, plays

Responding (reflect, interpret, evaluate) 15 %

Responding grade includes: self and peer evaluations, script work, research

Grading Rubrics

Each assignment and project within these categories is scored using a 5 point rubric.

0= Incomplete, missing

1= Far Below Standard (the student provides little or no evidence of meeting the learning objective.)

2= Below Standard (the student is below the learning objective.)

3= Approaching Standard (the student is approaching the learning objective.)

4= Skillful (the student has met the learning objective.)

5= Accomplished (the student has met the learning objective and can apply and transfer it)

Responding Rubric

Performing Rubric

Rehearsal Rubric (used for Creating Category)

Grading Scale

After the assignments are graded according to the rubrics,  they will be weighted by category, and the total grade will be displayed in the gradebook according to this scale:

A= 80-100%

B= 60- 79%

C= 40-59%

D= 25-39%

F= 0-24%

Assignment Tracking

We will be using Google Classroom as the information hub to for class communication and assignment tracking. Assignment grades will be exported into Infinite Campus. To see a student's cumulative calculated grade, view into Infinite Campus. 

Grades will be updated every two weeks

Attendance and Absence Policy

Students who miss school due to excused absences will be given the opportunity to make up all missed work. Upon returning to school, the student should check Google Classroom and/or Infinite Campus to see what what missed. Absent students should utilize tutorial sessions as needed to go over missed work.  Late work will be accepted for full credit up until the last week of the semester. If a dress rehearsal or performance is missed due to a legitimate illness or family emergency, students will be assigned an alternate project of equal weight.

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be in the classroom at the start of the class.  Students or in their seats by the bell can be marked tardy and receive classroom and schoolwide consequences. 

Consequences for unexcused tardies (per quarter):

• 1-3 tardies: Attendance office/teacher will document and attempt to resolve a student’s tardy problem by discussing the situation with student and parents, an optional assignment will be given reinforcing the importance of being on time.

• 4 tardies: Attendance office/teacher will document the tardies and advise an administrator. An administrator will conference  with the student and assign detention.

• 6  tardies: If tardies continue, additional detention will be assigned and an attendance contract will be put in place

• 9  tardies: If tardies continue and the  attendance contract as is not adhered to, consequences may include additional detention

• 12 tardies: Students and guardians will be recommended for Student Attendance Review Team (SART) and School Attendance Review Board (SARB) process referral. Students may also be advised to spend one or more days of a weekend at the school site. 

Homework

Excepting script memorization, there will be little to no homework in Drama.  All other reading and writing will be structured into our class time. Students will be given plenty of notice regarding memorization deadlines.

SRVUSD Homework Policy

Late/Missing Work

All late written work will be accepted until the last week of each quarter.  For practical activities such as in class performances, improvisations, line tests, students will either be assigned to perform in class upon their return, or assigned to a student support/tutorial to perform. 

Artificial Intelligence/ AI

All usage of AI programs in this class requires prior approval from the teacher. Before incorporating any AI tool into an assignment or activity, you must discuss your intent with the teacher. Any assignment created with (or supposedly without) the use of AI programs is subject to a verbal review with the teacher.  Be prepared to explain and discuss the content of your work, without the contributions or assistance of AI. 

Student Support/Tutorial

On Wednesdays and Thursdays students are afforded  30 minutes of tutorial time. Tutorial is designed to provide students an opportunity to receive reteaching, intervention, enrichment, or time to work on projects, readings, and redos. Students will select which tutorial to attend weekly, based on their needs.  In some cases, teachers will assign students to attend tutorials they offer as needs arise. Weekly sign ups are in Infinite Campus and it is recommended that students wait until Friday to sign up for tutorial. Not all of the sessions are available until then. Students who fail to sign up for the week’s tutorials  by Monday at 8:30am may receive a lunch detention. 

 Academic Honesty

Please review page 13 of the IHMS Family Handbook

Students will need pencils, paper, earphones/earbuds and a place to safely store class handouts and/or scripts. They will also need their chromebook charged and ready to use. All other materials will be provided in class. Students will be expected to bring assigned scripts to class daily.

All of our Elective programs are maintained by donations from the community and are given no start up funds for consumable materials or equipment from the district or school.We are fortunate to have a supportive community that values the quality and breadth of Electives offered to students and has kept our programs afloat through generous donations.

In order to procure and maintain scripts, rehearsal props and furniture, microphones, our costume supply and other classroom and performance expenses, a donation of $40.00 (or any other amount) would be greatly appreciated. Donations are entirely optional, and will be collected this week and happily accepted throughout the semester. Donations may be made in cash or check (made out to IHMS). Unfortunately, I can not make change for cash donations.

LINK TO DONATION LETTER

All of our Elective programs are maintained by donations from the community and are given no start up funds for consumable materials or equipment from the district or school.We are fortunate to have a supportive community that values the quality and breadth of Electives offered to students and has kept our programs afloat through generous donations.

In order to procure and maintain scripts, rehearsal props and furniture, microphones, our costume supply and other classroom and performance expenses, a donation of $40.00 (or any other amount) would be greatly appreciated. Donations are entirely optional, and will be collected this week and happily accepted throughout the semester. Donations may be made in cash, checks made out to IHMS. Please be aware that I am unable to give change for cash donations.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

LINK TO DONATION LETTER