Submitted by Melissa Melnick
Time Frame:
This project will be completed in nine days. Some of the days may not come in succession, depending on the availability of the appropriate audience.
Materials Needed:
- Costumes
- Props
- Video Camera
- VCR
- Stage (lights)
- Handout #7 (see Attachments)
- Handout #8 (see Attachments)
- Handout #9 (see Attachments)
- Unit Cumulative Assessment
Description of Task:
Purpose:
This is the culminating activity for this unit on theater. Students will use the knowledge of dialogue, character description and scenery along with the discussion of social issues to write a play. The play will be written either for children in immersion or bilingual schools. The students may write the plays for elementary, middle school or high school students, as determined by the students.* * * Day 1 * * *
Students will revisit the lists of social concerns they had made after speaking with their peers and parents. Students will be divided into heterogeneous groups of four to six students. Each group should include both native English and native Spanish speakers.
Alternative 1: Students will choose one of the themes that the class had listed during Lesson 1 as the basis for their work.
Alternative 2: Students will write e-mails to teachers of younger students in Spanish classes or Spanish immersion schools. They will ask them what some of the concerns that these teachers have or what topics they feel would be beneficial for their students to learn more about.
* * * Day 2/3 * * *
1. Students will write a rough draft of their play on the computer. The teacher will determine length of the play, although 10-15 minutes may be appropriate. Students will determine characters, setting, time period and briefly the conflict, climax and resolution. They will then make a list of characters who will be in the play. Then they will write a list of at least five adjectives to describe each character. They will also determine what the characters would look like physically and what type of costumes each character should have. (40 minutes)
2. Students will write a rough draft of a play based on their theme and their descriptions of characters. Students should be reminded to keep in mind the elements of plays and good dialogue. (70 minutes)* * * Day 4 * * *
1. Students will read another group's play out loud. They will try to read using some intonation and inflection. Students will use Handout 8 to evaluate the play. (30 minutes)
2. The plays and Handout 8 will be returned to the original authors who will read and discuss the feedback. (15 minutes)
3. Students will begin to edit their play based on their own and their peers' evaluations.* * * Day 5 * * *
1. Students will complete the second draft of their play. They will rehearse the play out loud.
2. Students will determine what scenery and costumes are needed.
3. The students will turn in the play and the teacher will evaluate and correct the script for content and grammar.* * * Day 6 * * *
1. Students will view the videotape of their "dress rehearsal." They will use Handout #9 to assist with the self-evaluation.
2. Students will complete final editing of the written copy of their play.
3. Students will complete scenery.* * * Day 7 * * *
1. Students will rehearse one more time with all props and costumes.
* * * Day 8 * * *
1. Students will perform the play for the appropriate audiences.
2. They will ask teachers and/or students to provide feedback about their play.Tarea:
Students will write in their journal, answering the following questions:Escriba sus reacciones a su obra teatral hoy. ¿Cómo reaccionó el público? ¿Qué parte le gusto más a Usted?¿Menos? Explique. ¿Cree que su obra es relevante al contexto social en donde la presentaron? Explique. * * * Day 9 * * *1. Students will evaluate their performances using Handout #7.
2. Students will discuss the evaluations of the performances as a class.
3. The play will be evaluated using the rubric that accompanies this unit.
Attachments:
NOTE: some attachments are in PDF form (get Acrobat Reader)Handout #7 - MSWord | PDF
Handout #8 - MSWord | PDF
Handout #9 - MSWord | PDF
Rubric for Assessment - MSWord | PDF