Theater Arts 2 Honors
Theater Arts 2 Honors
The foundation of acting is the reality of doing.
Sanford Meisner
Honors 1 credit
This course is for those who wish to continue to develop their performance and leadership skills. Theater Arts 2 focuses on improvisation, introductory script work and collaborative theater projects.
Prerequisite: Theater Arts I recommended, instructor’s permission required. Open to Grade 10-12.
COURSE OUTLINE
Workshops
Community Building
Improvisation Workshops
Capstone Projects
Short Form Improvisation
Classic Radio Play Production
Introduction to Directing and Working with a Director--10 Minute Plays
Moth Project and/or Mockumentary Film
Option
Required Readings: Improvise by Mick Napier
LEARNING STANDARDS
Learning standards are based on the 2019 Arts Curriculum Framework and can be found here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Student Handbook: Students are required to be familiar with all rules and procedures in the handbook.
Environment: In order to create a welcoming and safe environment for all, the following will not be tolerated.
Abusive, offense, or discriminatory language
Harassment
Physical assault
Threats
Photos or videos taken without permission
Phones/Headphones/Smartwatches: These items should be away and out-of-sight unless being using for a project. Failure to do so will reflected in the student's grade as well as any penalties levied according to the Student Handbook.
Google Classroom and Email: Google Classroom will be used for the portal for classroom assignments and activities. Most written or recorded assignments must be turned in through Google Classroom. Students should check and respond to email from the instructor daily.
Substitute Work: If the instructor is out, directions for class will be posted on Google Classroom, if at all possible. Students are responsible for checking Classroom during class and completing any tasks assigned.
Attendance, Tardiness and Assignments
Students are required to turn in assignments on time. Assignments turned in late lose 20 points. After two days (not just school days), students can not turn in assignments and will receive no credit.
Students who are absent from class must contact the teacher about make-up work or receive no credit for the day's assignments, in accordance with Student Handbook policy.
In addition to the penalties detailed in the Student Handbook, if a student cuts a class a zero will be given for the class cut and no opportunity to make up the work
It will be considered a skip if a student comes to class more than halfway through first block without parental permission.
A student who is tardy will have points deducted from their classwork grades.
Content: Visit the link to learn about the policy concerning content in the Drama Program.
ASSESSMENT
Participation in classroom activities, respectful interactions and varied reflective activities will form the basis of individual and group assessment. These will be measured using teacher observation, documentation of student work and performance-based assessment. All these methods involve the direct evaluation of student effort on real learning tasks, provide useful material for teachers, parents and students.
These assessments will focus on the transformative nature of the work that allows students to personalize and contextualize the content. This will allow them to engage in higher order thinking, understand the practical application of the curriculum and increase retention of key ideas and concepts.
The knowledge each individual brings to the classroom around subject areas is different regardless of the academic focus of the curriculum. Scaffolding will underlie instruction providing students with the support they need to move forward and allowing them to be authentically assessed. Common goals will be established, followed by ongoing diagnosis and adaptive support based on dialogues and interactions with the end goal of the student taking control and responsibility for their learning. Rubrics will be provided to make expectations clear to the students and will provide a basis for individual and group progress.
Teacher Observation: Oral critique based on observation has traditionally been part of artistic decision-making and has the practical advantage of providing instantaneous feedback to actors.
Performance-Based Assessments: Performance assessments require students to show what they can do in ways distinct to the aspect of theater they are studying. Tasks will focus on how actors solve a particular open-ended artistic problem. Designed around the Learning Standards, their purpose will be to measure actor achievement using a rubric, which defines levels of performance but also includes a written critique based on teacher observation. Performance tasks will be designed for each class, be assessed varyingly on Collective and Individual Responsibility and will be differentiated for all learners.
Documentation of Student Work: Teacher observations, student work and assessments will be selectively collected throughout the year. This will be used by actors and teachers to reveal progress in achieving the Learning Standards over time.
Attendance and Tardiness: Learning is collaborative. When a student is absent or late, not only is individual student progress hindered, but the group progress is as well. The instructor will factor absences and tardiness into Participation, Workshop and Capstone Project assessments.
Reflective Activities: The reflective activities are designed understanding that many students lack the lexis for effective verbal and written reflection, even though they are fully able to have cognitive understanding of complex ideas. Reflections will be designed to allow students to communicate beyond the specific, but contribute what they think and bring to an idea. Reflective Activities are factored into the Participation grade and can be either a Collective or Individual Responsibility. Reflective Activities are assessed as Participation.
Some examples of these activities:
Goal Setting
Journals
Art
Class Discussions
Teacher-Student Meetings
Dramatic Structures
Collaboration and Participation: Students will work collaboratively and independently each day. Student participation will be assessed multiple times during Capstone Projects and Workshops.
Assessment Categories and Weights
Grading
All assignments are graded using a point system that corresponds to a percentile range recorded in IPASS.
5 (100%) Exceptional work and/or progress, exceeded expectations
4 (95%) Excellent work and/or progress, meeting expectations
3 (85%) Proficient work and/or progress, some expectations not met
2 (75%) Fair work and/or progress, many expectations not met
1 (65%-0%) Poor work/no progress, not meeting expectations
Workshop Assessments: Count toward a percentage of the term, based on number of Capstone Projects.
Peer Observations
Student Feedback
Workshops and Workshop Assessments
Progress Assessments
Workshop and Audience Participation