Something that I do that I think works very well is to approach each day of class as if it is a mini production workshop. For example, in Beginning Theater, we spend approximately 6 weeks on creating simple skits with various prompts and or styles. Students are selected to work in a variety of group structures at random and or with a set of criteria in mind. For these mini production workshops each day, they produce everything. Of course much of the work is produced based on an improvisational model with students meeting to brainstorm, rehearse, and present. Most presentations take one 90 minute block to complete, but sometimes we will dedicate a couple of days to an endeavor. Before and after each assignment, I try to point out some things that work well and to give some direction as to my expectations or or tools and styles that are to be used in the creation of the performance. I think this approach gives students a lot of freedom to grow and helps them to meet and work with all of their colleagues in the class as they discover the tools of theater.
If there is a weakness to this approach, it is that it is difficult to weave in academic work, but I am trying to grow in that way.
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Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2020 02:37
From: Christine DuBose
Subject: Classroom ideas
I really want my class next year to be student-led. Do any of you have any ideas or documents you could provide to help guide me to create a student-led culture in my classroom? Thank you!
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[Christine DuBose
Kerr Middle School
Theatre Arts
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." Anne Frank
https://sites.google.com/a/bisdmail.net/kerr-theatre-arts/
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