In my last blog I talked about writing a letter home to your students’ parents.  I would like now to share the “rules and regs” I handed out to my beginning drama students on the first day of class.  Not only did it help me organize and give my students my expectations on what I required, but also it was mandated by our administration.  They kept a copy in their office, but who knows whoever looked at it? I know my students knew all the info — sometimes I even gave a little bonus quiz over the “good stuff”! 

The management part of the class I developed over many years of trial and error.  At one time I had two pages of policies and that was WAY TOO MUCH! I tried to make them simple, allowing for the school’s policies to be in effect as well as the points I thought were important. You will notice that several of them deal with common courtesy, a must in my classroom. The content was strictly my own. I was very lucky to be able to create my own curriculum for theatre. You may not be so lucky but I am sure you can present your course using the style that works best for you.  By requiring each student to have a notebook that included my “rules and regs” as well as sending a letter home to parents, I had informed everyone what Margaret Johnson’s drama department was all about. 

COURSE MANAGEMENT

1.  You will sit down and be ready to go to work when the bell rings. Consequently, there will be no talking.

2. NOTEBOOKS

• You will be required to have a notebook (the type designated by Mrs. J) that you will bring to class every day which will contain these rules and regulations, a grade sheet, the packet we’re working on, critiques, and all daily work.  It will be graded several times during the semester.

• All assignments (daily work) and duplicated material will be handed out ONCE and you will keep them in your notebook.  There will be NO seconds.                            

• The Grade Sheet should be kept up to date so you will always know how you are doing in this class               

3. DAILY ASSIGNMENTS

• 90% of all the work done in this class is oral, performed in front of the class. All work is due WHEN it is called for, usually at the beginning of the class period.  If you are going to miss class due to a SCHOOL ACTIVITY (Science, Music, Athletic, or other trip), you MUST turn in assignments BEFORE you leave, receive assignments for next day and come the following day, ready for class, assignments done. This rule is also in effect if you are absent from school for just a portion of the day, including the period that Drama 1 meets.  I am here every day after school as well as lunch on Thursday for anyone who needs to check grades, to check assignments, or help.

4. TESTS AND QUIZZES

• There will be two written tests (over the Technical Theatre packets) during the semester worth over 100 points.

• Several quizzes will be given during the semester over information Mrs. Johnson feels is important.  It is generally over material handed out for overnight reading.

• Remember that performances in front of the class should be considered tests as well.

5. MID-QUARTER PROGRESS REPORT

• At mid-quarter time you and your parents will be notified on your progress in class with a mid-quarter report.  This report is to be taken home, signed by your parents, and returned to Mrs. J. for credit.

6. GRADES

• All grades will be on the point system, converted to the percentage listed in (name of your school) policy. These points are cumulative throughout the semester. Generally, you will earn approximately 800 points per quarter.

• Your semester grade will be divided into three parts: 1/3 for first quarter, 1/3 for second quarter and 1/3 for the Drama 1 final (performed in the evening the last week of the semester).

• Grades are determined on what YOU do on the two technical tests, critiques, daily work, and anything else that has been required for the quarter.

7. ATTENDANCE

• (Your school’s) attendance procedure will be strictly adhered to.

• Absences, as well as tardies, will be handled according to (your school’s) Policy.

• You do not and will not be excused from class to go to your locker for pen, paper, notebook, etc.  You are expected to bring to class what is required with you at all times.  

• Makeup on work missed during absences is your sole responsibility. 

• Please make every effort to be here.  As this class is group oriented with mostly IN CLASS ACTIVITIES, when you are absent group work and discussion is missed which will be very difficult to make up. Your absences can also affect other's grades.  Everyone in this class depends on each other.

• Continued absences can affect your grade.

8. You DO NOT leave this class without Mrs. Johnson's permission!  When the dismissal bell rings, you wait until you are excused, even if the bell has rung.

COURSE CONTENT

Your attitude toward your work in this class is extremely important.  Theatre involves risk taking.  You are getting up in front of people, creating a character that isn't you. Are you willing to risk it? Are you willing to give 110 %?  Can you make that kind of commitment?

ACTING--This unit involves memorizing lines and developing characters.  It will be divided into several types:

Solo/Monologue--A character from Edger Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology will be selected, and presented, as well as one from a modern work.  You will also create a character who will be in a Class Play.

Duo--Two people will present a two minute cutting /scene using costumes and props that are appropriate. 

CHOROL READING--This unit will stress the use of voice to create character and story.  Often it is called Interpretation. The entire class will start by doing Pogo, a poem by Walt Kelly.  Later, the class will be divided into groups, starting with several large groups working on tongue twisters and then breaking into smaller groups presenting a variety of written material.  This type of acting is not memorized but stresses the importance of working as a team and using interesting vocal expressions.

CLASS PLAYS--The play writing unit will be studied in a unique way during the semester. The class will be divided into several groups.  A mystery play will be written by each group, based on characters that each student has created. After Mrs. Johnson supplies information about place and general action, the group will write their own play selecting time, complication, and specific action. It is then to be memorized, staged, and presented

FINAL PERFORMANCE—this presentation includes almost everything that has been covered in the semester (choral reading, mime, Improv, Spoon River, etc). It will be performed in the Little Theatre the last week of the semester, in the evening, for the public, free of charge. 

IMPROVISATION--Improvs are simple exercises or games that help us respond to our environment and become comfortable with each other. They do not require any homework, just the element of fun and the willingness to participate.  Much time is spent at the beginning of the semester on these games.

NOTEBOOK--As we have no textbook in this class, all assignments and units are typed and stapled and put in your notebook.  Therefore, it must be here every day with paper and pen.

PANTOMIME--This unit deals with the use of the body to tell a story and is often called, "The Art of Silence".  Exercises such as finger, statue, machines, mirror, clay, puppets, mannequins, and/or sign mime start the unit. Various techniques may be learned (wall, ball, profile walk, up and down a ladder, stairs & rope). These techniques will then be graded when developed into story mimes.

PLAY CRITIQUE--You must see three plays for the semester: one performance of a play outside of school plus seeing all school plays is required. If this should cause a financial hardship, see Mrs. Johnson.

TECHNICAL THEATRE--Two Technical Theatre packets will be studied in this unit.  Various terms and jobs will be discussed.  Tests will be taken after each unit.

WRITTEN WORK--There are two types of written work required:      

Creative--During the semester writing various analyses over characters you will be portraying is required.  Forms will be handed out as needed.

Expository--This type of writing involves the five-paragraph theme called a critique. Three (3) critiques over the three shows you will view are required, worth 100 points each. One more critique (over another show you have seen) can be written for bonus credit, worth 60 points.  A specific critique form will be handed out and discussed in detail before you have to write.

 FINAL NOTES

· The majority of your grade is determined by the IMAGINATIVE AND CREATIVE way in which your work is done.

· No gum, candy, hats, or pop, please!!  Thank you.

Summer is almost over and we have to begin thinking of the new school year.  As I write this I am sitting in the rustic craft’s cabin on Flathead Lake waiting for my 4:30 charges to arrive, listening to 100 voices practicing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.  I am teaching a four-day drama improvisation class to seventh, eight, and ninth graders who are attending the Missoula Children’s Theatre Fine Art’s Camp.  This is a glorious location – a glacier feed lake surrounded by mountains just one hour from Glacier Park. It is hard to think about getting back in the swing of blogging and teaching my over 50 crowd but all good things must come to an end and one needs to buckle down and get to work.

As you are getting your room ready for your new students, please take a few minutes to review my August 5 2008 Blog that deals with some great “get to know you games.” I’ve used all three here at camp.  I would also like to offer another suggestion that I found very helpful.  My last blog suggested that sending a letter home to finish the year was a good idea.  An even better suggestion is to send a letter home at the beginning of the year, introducing yourself and your course.  You could even send an email to that effect, if your school has those capabilities.

I had done this the last several years of teaching but made a BIG mistake my last semester.  I felt that because it was my last semester I didn’t need to do this!  WRONG! I had calls from disgruntled parents about my subject matter, etc.  It had all been spelled out in my letter. Dumb me! 

Oh, I know, I know, there are only 24 hours in the day and you are only one person but it is time well spent. I am including my three letters: the beginning drama class (Drama 1), my advances class (Drama 2), and my first semester English class (Sr. English) for those of you who also teach English.

In my future blogs, I will cover some of the information included in these letters along with some other great activities. 

Have a super opening of school.  

MID-QUARTER PROGRESS REPORT At mid-quarter time you will be notified on your child’s progress in class with a mid-quarter report.  This report is to be taken home, signed by you, and returned to me for credit.

DAILY WORK 46% Students do not and will not be excused from class to go to their locker for pen, paper, notebook, etc.  They are expected to bring to class what is required with them at all times. A variety of subjects will be covered this semester which include: acting, choral reading, class plays, improvisation, pantomime, and technical theatre.

90% of the daily work in this class is oral, performed in front of the class.

PLAY CRITIQUE 15% Each student must see three plays for the semester -- one performance of a play outside of school plus seeing two school plays is required.  A specific written critique form will be handed out and discussed in detail before students have to write. This written review is due the Monday after the last performance of the play.  If this should cause a financial hardship, have your child see me.

TESTS AND QUIZZES 6% There will be two written tests covering Technical Theatre during the semester worth 110 points.  Several quizzes will be given during the semester over information I feel is important.  It is generally over material handed out for overnight reading.

FINAL PERFORMANCE 33% This presentation includes almost everything that has been covered in the semester: choral reading, mime, improv, plays, etc. It will be performed the last week of the semester in the evening for the public, free of charge.

NOTEBOOK There is no textbook for this class. All assignments including analyses, corrected critiques, daily assignment sheets, and calendars as well as scripts are to be put in a notebook along with paper and pen. This notebook must be here every day and can be considered part of daily work.  All the items mentioned below are included in their Course Management & Requirement booklet which is also in their notebooks.

ATTENDANCE (25% of Quarter Grade) Students must make every effort to be in class every day as this class is TOTALLY group oriented with IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES. When students are absent group work and discussion is missed which will be very difficult to makeup. Absences also affect others’ grades.  Everyone in this class depends on everyone else.  If students are going to miss class due to a SCHOOL ACTIVITY (science, music, athletic, or other trip), they MUST turn in assignments BEFORE they leave, and receive assignments for the next day. On their return, they’ll be ready for class, assignments done. THIS RULE IS ALSO IN EFFECT IF they are absent from school for just a portion of the day, including the period Drama 2 meets.  I am here every day after school as well as lunch on Thursday.  Infractions such as tardies and wearing hats can be eliminated by bringing treats to the whole class within two days of the violation.

DAILY  WORK (42% of Quarter Grade) Daily work is divided into two sections: written, including analyses, critiques, and creative compositions; oral, including tryouts, memorization, doing improv, etc. 

PRODUCTION WORK (33% of Quarter Grade) The majority of this class will be spent creating FOUR productions. The titles and dates will depend on the class. Each student will have the opportunity to act in these shows, as well as do all the technical aspects: lighting, costumes, props, set, publicity, makeup, and directing.

1.      October 18 Bits & PIECES a show written by the students

2.      Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 2^ND  CLASS

3.      Sometime in March a fun musical          

4.      The last week of May a children’s variety shows for several grade schools around the area