Explorations: Drama - Grade 6, 7 & 8
- Grade Course Outline
This course is designed to be a basic introduction to the life of Drama. It focuses on creativity, trust, improvisation (the ability to make up stuff off the top of your head) and cooperation. In this course, we will start discovering what it is to be an actor and to gain experience on stage.
Drama is orientated towards students who have a strong interest in acting, as well as those who simply wish to improve self confidence, overcome shyness and work on verbal skills.
The primary goal of Drama, and every course in the Theatre program, is to equip students with the tools to be successful in any walk of life: confidence, creativity, clarity, cooperation, and listening, analyzing and problem solving skills.
The secondary goal is to promote an understanding of how effective presentation is achieved though studying the roles of the actor and the audience, and the structure, style and content of the presentation.
- Expectations
RESPECT
The drama class is a place where respect is essential, for your teacher, your peers and the space around you. Above all, abide these three things:
- RESPECT THE SPACE
- RESPECT EACH OTHER
- RESPECT THE WORK
Good Taste and Common Sense
There will be no bathroom, anatomy, or sex jokes, no swearing or offensive language, no references to drugs or alcohol, no racial slanders, sexism or anything that could be taken as derogatory. Most importantly, there will be no violence on stage.
Safety
Behaviors that endanger other students physically or psychologically will result in exclusion from the class. Because there is more physical freedom in a Drama class, the students must understand his/her responsibilities in the environment, and must be trustworthy. To concentrate you need your own personal space
Cooperation
A majority of this course depends on the ability to work well with others. I expect students to be considerate and courteous acting partners. I expect students to be open to working effectively with everyone in the class.
LISTEN!
Do not talk when the instructor is speaking. Your instructions are not written down. So, listen carefully.
Attitude
Since Drama is an Explorations course, it is assumed that each student has a genuine interest in the subject and a wish to do well. There is no other type of course in which a negative attitude can have such an effect on the class as well as the students’ success.
Prepared
Each Grade 8 student must come to class with a pencil and a duo tang with paper. Handouts and scripts should be kept in this book and brought to class on a daily basis. Grade 6 & 7 students need to just show up ready to learn.
- Things to leave at the door: gum, food, drinks, electronic devices, negative attitudes, personal problems, skirts & kilts, flip flop
- How can I do well in Acting?
-have a willingness to communicate and share ideas
-demonstrate leadership and consideration for others
-establish working relationships with all class members
-commit energy and concentration to each class exercise
-challenge yourself to do a better at each opportunity
-be a reliable conscientious partner on all projects
- Attendance and Lateness
All work in Drama is COOPERATIVE learning. It can only be done in class in concert with others. Missed class time cannot be made up. The student is not penalized for excused absence but the teacher’s evaluation will be based on less data and marks received will be weighed more heavily. If a student misses class they must come prepared with a note explaining their absence the following day.
There are very few legitimate reasons for a student to be late to class. Lateness is bad manners, and will be taken into account in the teacher’s evaluation.
- Evaluation
Evaluation in Acting is subjective, by the teacher. It is based on daily observation of the students’ growth and participation. Grade 6 & 7 follow a Requirements Met / Requirements Not Met criteria, while Grade 8 follow a proper grading scale. Marks are broken down into sections:
Daily Class Work 35%
Performances 45%
Final Assignment 20%