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  • 1.  Journal prompts?

    Posted 11-26-2020 22:09
    I am sure there are others out there who have their theatre students respond to journal prompts and I am hoping to find some new ideas. For about half of my students, it is really difficult to convince them to write any kind of thoughtful reflection. What are your best journal prompts? Do you have students do anything else with their journals? I've played with the idea of having them choose one entry and turn it into a scene or monologue, but I would like to get some insight from someone else who has tried it first!

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    Kate Cline
    Murfreesboro TN
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  • 2.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 11-27-2020 07:49

    I feel your pain. I try to shake it up w/ entries. Some that I use:
    -I'll have them finish a sentence such as "Today I feel.."and then have them discuss their answers with a partner.
    -I have them reflect on quotes as appropriate to a lesson plan or unit. (I love quotes) I have a assigned them to find a quote that is related to the topic to share as a journal entry.
    -Reflect on a performance clip from a musical 
    (sometimes I ask them to only write down one word and then we share)
    -Summarize a monologue or scene in 12 words. (Harder than it seems!)
    -Draw Shakespeare or the Modern Major General, etc. from memory. 
    Anyway, it works for me AND my students.
    Best,
    Garry




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    Garry Tiller
    Theatre Arts Teaching Artist
    Sidwell Friends
    Washington, DC
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  • 3.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 11-30-2020 15:47
    I have two documents that might work for you. One is a page of theatre related quotes I collected for my IB Theatre students. 

    The second one is a list of 60 non theatre related prompts from Elizabeth Mills. I have no idea who she is or how I found this, but want to give her the credit for this collection.

    There are some gems on both lists.

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    Krista Carson Elhai
    Educational Theatre Foundation National Board of Trustees
    CA Educational Theatre Association, Past President
    CA Thespians Director of Membership & New Teacher Outreach
    Theatre Chair Claremont HS
    An International Baccalaureate World School
    Claremont CA
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    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    60 Fun Journals for Theatre Students copy.pdf   141 KB 1 version
    docx
    IB Journal quotes.docx   13 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 11-30-2020 20:31
    These are so great, exactly what I was hoping for! Krista and Garry you have been such a huge help, can't wait to try these out!

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    Kate Cline
    Murfreesboro TN
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 12-01-2020 08:52
    Thank you for sharing.  These are great!

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    Wendy Stull-Milordis
    Coral Springs FL
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 12-01-2020 18:09
    So sweet of you to share your Journal Prompts.  I really appreciate it.

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    Tiersa Ferraro
    Drama Director/Theater Teacher
    Oconomowoc High School
    Oconomomow, WI 53018
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 12-01-2020 11:00
      |   view attached
    Hey Kate!

    I use these to generate material for plays and also, to let them think and respond in a different way.  Often I will give these in succession, for a timed writing experience.. 1 min each.  Once we do about 7, I give them time to go back and expand on the ones they love.  I love the results.  To go further, I use is something called: Tag Monologue.  Where they share their favorite pieces with the group, and the group takes notes.   Then they can use any collection of words as their FIRST sentence and write.  It's engaging and they get feedback on their writing in a different way.  

    If you use this, I'd love to hear how it turns out.


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    Nancy Gibson
    Eagle Theater Teacher
    Racine Unified School District
    Racine WI
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    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Journal Questions.pdf   315 KB 1 version


  • 8.  RE: Journal prompts?

    Posted 01-25-2021 08:23
    Hi Kate - i just wrote an article for dramatics.org that may supplement everyone should awesome answers, if it's of any use: https://dramatics.org/stir-your-creativity/

    In any case, it's so great for theatre educators to encourage writing, and as a former theatre kid who wanted to be a writer and was always encouraged and mentored along the way, I commend you for empowering your students.

    Best,
    Sammy Buck

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    Sammy Buck
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