Monday - Friday: Office Hours - 7:20-7:40am (Room 248); After School By Appointment Only
Colonia High School
Teacher: Stephanie Platko Grade Level: 9-12 Course: Theater Arts I
Course Description: This course is designed for the student interested in dramatic activities with an emphasis on performance. Areas covered in depth include: vocabulary, roles in the theatre, pantomime, movement, acting (scene work and one act plays), theatre evaluation, and theatre history (from ancient Greek to the present), the reading of plays, theatre design and tech, and attendance at a live theatre performance. Students will be involved every day in some performance-based activity. There is an emphasis on memorization, working as a team, and classroom attendance. Students will be creating projects throughout the term in groups/teams just as they would encounter in the professional theatre world.
Grading Procedures: 50% of your grade will be comprised of Minor Assessment grades including all classwork, homework, group work, participation, theater journal, and quizzes. The other 50% of your grade will be comprised of Major Assessments including all group projects, tests, and performances.
Late Work Policies
All late work must be turned in accompanied by the Late Work Submission form posted on Classroom and on my Google Site.
MINOR Assessments
5 point deduction for every day late up to 10 calendar days late. After 10 days, the assignment will no longer be accepted.
MAJOR Assessments
1 Day Late -10
Anything after 1 day is a ZERO!
Extended Time
If you need an extension on any assignment, the request must be submitted to me via the Google Form in Classroom or on my Google Site. The following conditions must be met in order to have an extension granted:
Since most work can be completed during class time, you must have used the time allotted appropriately. (i.e. working consistently, not on your phone, not watching videos/playing games, etc…)
You must communicate in your email the date the assignment will be completed and if you fail to hand in the assignment by that date, you will be denied extensions on assignments for the foreseeable future.
Absence Policies
If you are absent on a day something is assigned, you will have two days without penalty to complete the assignment after your return to class.
If you are absent on a day something is due, you must hand in the assignment upon your return to class.
ALL WORK WILL BE POSTED IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM DAILY SO THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT KNOWING WHAT WE DID IN CLASS THAT DAY!
Office Hours
I am available in Room 248 from 7:20-7:40am daily and after school by appointment only. Email me at stephanie.platko@wtsdnj.com to arrange any extra help.
Textbook: Basic Drama Projects by Fran Tanner, selected scripts
Theater Journals: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday = Theatrical Responses; Friday = Weekly Reflection (Responses are to be 5-7 sentences long at a minimum and are graded monthly)
Play Performances:
The best way to learn about theatre is to experience it. Students are expected to see at least one production over the course of the semester and write a review of the show. This can be a show produced at WHS, or another local high school, community, or professional theatre. Students will be expected to submit verification of attendance via ticket stub and playbill, along with their written assignment for the production.
Required Materials for Class
A 3 subject notebook to be solely used for this class, a folder for handouts, A CHARGED Chromebook
Pens, Pencils (for script notation), highlighters
Classroom Expectations:
Be on time - this means you must be IN your seat when the bell rings.
At the start of class, no chromebooks will be used. They must remain closed until given the instructions to use them.
Be prepared
You are expected to listen, pay attention, only speak when you are called on, participate, keep your head up and your eyes open, complete all class and homework assignments and respect each other as well as yourself, the teacher, and the classroom.
No food or drink in my classroom. You may bring water to class in a clear, plastic bottle.
Cellphones and all other personal electronic devices (earbuds, headphones, smart watches, etc…) must be turned to silent and stowed away in the caddy at the front of the room as soon as you walk in. If you are caught with any device in class, the following disciplinary actions will be taken as per district policy:
1st infraction = Warning, documented in Genesis
2nd infraction = Parent/Guardian contact; device secured in the main office; documented in Genesis
3rd infraction = Administrative parent/guardian contact; cell phone pouch for 5 school days
4th infraction = Administrative parent/guardian contact; 1 day ACS; cell phone pouch for 10 school days
5th infraction = Administrative parent/guardian contact; 1-2 days ACS; Mandatory parent/guardian conference; cell phone pouch for 20 or more school days
No winter attire (coats, hats, etc…) or Backpacks allowed in the classroom. Leave them in your locker.
You are responsible for checking my Google Classroom if you are absent. The daily agenda will be posted in the Stream tab. See above for all absence policies regarding missing work.
All school rules (including lateness and attendance policies) are in effect in the classroom.
Be Honest and communicate your needs
Plagiarism Policy and AI
While AI tools can be incredibly powerful, it's crucial to use them responsibly in an educational setting. For this reason, I strongly encourage students to rely on their own critical thinking and creativity rather than AI-generated content. To ensure academic integrity and genuine learning, I will be utilizing advanced checker tools to detect and address any possible AI-generated submissions. These measures are in place to maintain a fair and honest learning environment where students can truly showcase their individual skills and knowledge.
Please note that any AI-generated work will be handled according to the plagiarism policy as set by the WTSD.