lesson plans

Eight Things You Should Include in Your Middle School Theater Scope and Sequence

September 21, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

If you are new to my blog, welcome! I’m quite flattered that you’d check me out. Today I’m going to talk about the eight things you should include in your Middle School Theater Scope and Sequence. Obviously, this is my point of view on the subject.

My first job was as an English teacher in a junior high school. Bear in mind that I was certified in English, but had never taught it or even had any time as a student teacher. My student teaching was in theater which in the 1970s was almost unhear of in the mid-west.

Anyway, I remember they gave me this HUGE book with all of the benchmarks or objectives I was to reach. It was so full of jargon, I had to sit and translate it into layman’s English. Finally, I got the hang of it.

When I began teaching middle school theater in the mid 90s (yikes), no one seemed to clear on what they wanted me to cover. I came into the position with twenty years of teaching and directing outside the classroom, so I knew what to do in those circumstances.

However, teaching theater in a school was different than that. In the particular school I taught theater all those many years ago, I spent about a year trying out ideas until I perfected what I thought would be successful with the students.

A Thirteen Year Middle School Teaching Adventure

For thirteen years, I taught a pre-elective theater class to sixth grade students–all 450 of them. (Yes you read that correctly.) I had twenty-five days to fill with the many subjects of theater which was great fun but also rather challenging. My tendency was to perfect something when we found it to work, but the students and I just didn’t have the time to do so since they moved to the next pre-elective class. After thirteen years of this teaching load, I had completely topped out on what I could teach them. At this point, we moved to Colorado and I took a part time speech and theater middle school job–completely different and kinda crazy. But that a blog post for another day.

In 2017, I began my store on Teacherspayteachers.com. My plan was to recoop the pension I lost by staying home with our daughters when they were very young. I lost half of my pension when I made that decision, but to this day I have no regrets. I know our daughters almost as well as they do themselves.

My Middle School Scope and Sequence Curriculum

People purchase my middle school drama curriculum a lot. I’m very glad I can help them, but it never dawned on me that maybe I should include a scope and sequence with the units. Here I am today providing that guide for you.

I taught these lessons in this particular order beginning with the easiest concepts and progressing to the most challenging. This was a pass/fail course. I gave a daily participation grade as well.

1. Tableau (1 day)–Tableau is a staple of theater and a non-threatening concept which beginning theater students can learn. Students learn how to make stage pictures (which is one of the basic of directing as well), however they don’t have to say anything. You can find my tableau lessons here: TABLEAU LESSON

2. Chanting (1 day)–Chanting, or a repeated word or phrase used to illicit an effect is the second component I teach novies.

3. Costume Design (2 days)–Who doesn’t like costume design? Depending upon the time of year, I like to teach about costume design with a thematic approach. You’ll have to check out my Halloween Costume Design Lesson here.

4. Movement (2 days)–Just like tableau, students enjoy movement because there is no speaking. Plus, it does a great job of giving students some physical exercise which they sorely need.

5.Kamishibai Storytelling (1 week)–Depending upon your assessments of you students and what they appear to engage with in your teaching, I like to use Kamishibai storytelling from time to time. Have you never heard of Kamishibai? Check it out here: Kamishibai Storytelling

Eight Things You Should Include in Your Middle School Theater Scope and Sequence — https://theconversation.com

6. Set Design (1 week)–Set Design units are super useful. They incorporate not only designing the set, but building a model of it. In addition, students work with a partner which is so good for teaching cooperative learning.

7. Performance (1 week) You can choose to direct your students in a short class play or a short radio theater play-I liked to switch it up every now and then with one or the other. Word of caution–don’t have one class performing a play while the others are studying radio theater. You will make yourself crazy.

8. Enrichment (1 day) If you need a substitute, or your school is having a day of shortened class periods, watching a video clip of theaters around the world or studying about a famous theater artist such as Lin Manuel Miranda does an excellent job of changing the pace or giving everyone a breather.

Sometimes I’d throw in components such as stage properties or sound effects because quite frankly, I needed the change.

Objectives I Met with This Scope and Sequence Theater Curriculum

Here are the National Core Arts Standards which I used.

Connecting

Conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work.

Anchor Standard #1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #3. Refine and complete artistic work.

Performing

Performing (dance, music, theatre): Realizing artistic ideas and work through interpretation and presentation.

Anchor Standard #4. Select, analyze and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Anchor Standard #5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Anchor Standard #6. Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.

Responding

Understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning.

Anchor Standard #7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Anchor Standard #8. Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Anchor Standard #9. Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.

Objectives I Met with This Scope and Sequence Continued

If you need Common Core Standards, here are a few of them which my guide completes.:

Grade 6

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3

Craft and Structure:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.10

Are you looking for some information about how to design a lesson plan? Check out this post: Why is it Important to Create a Lesson Plan?

Grade 7

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.3

Craft and Structure:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.9:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10

Did you know I have an Instagram account with virtually different information than my blog? You can find it at: DramamommaSpeaks Instagram

A Word of Caution

In an effort to do a exemplary job at teaching, sometimes we teachers go overboard on what our students should learn. I’m not a big fan of scene study when students are in middle school or lower. Or even monologues. They simply do not understand it nor appreciate it. Unfamiliar with creative dramatics? Check out: Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour

What I do encourage theater teachers of elementary and middle school to teach is using creative dramatics’ many facets. One could teach the components above, number one to five, and then apply them to a readers theater or short class play. Here is one of my which would work well for this plan: Inca Story The Magic Lake Readers Theater or The Brave Little Tailor play.

I hope my guide helps you in your teaching of middle school theater class. What do you like to include in your teaching? I’ve love to hear about it. You can email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com. Let’s chat!

Circus Themed Lesson Plans–a New Twist for Drama Classes

February 16, 2019 By dhcbaldwin 10 Comments

Circus Themed Lessons–a New Twist for Drama Classes

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of All Ages”–You know, I don’t think I’ve heard a circus master of ceremonies actually say this, have you?

It must be from the movie, Dumbo which was one of my favorites when I was a child. This is probably the reason I love elephants so much, too.

Recently, I saw a preview for the new Dumbo movie coming out soon and it reminded me of a couple of lessons I created about Cirque Du Soleil. Students don’t study Cirque du Soleil per se, but they focus on Cirque Du Soleil lessons through a new twist: the performers costumes and makeup.

In case you don’t know me, I taught drama at every grade level for over thirty-five years and as many as ten different subjects within it. Everything from creative dramatics to technical theatre–second through twelfth grade.

Why is it Important to Create a Lesson Plan?

I had a good drama teacher when I was in high school during the Civil War (well, it feels like it sometimes). Mr. Kent Chapman of Emporia High School got me started and for that, I am always grateful. I loved everything about his classes–his warm ups, lessons, assignments and of course, direction of the plays.

Like most educators, we emulate what we liked from our own teachers. Over those many years of teaching, although I was modeling my lessons after Mr. Chapman’s it became dull and robotic.

As a result, I realized I was getting stale because I kept doing the same things over and over again.

However, if you are going to repeat yourself (for thirty-eight years) you may as well toil on an assembly line someplace and make better money. As a I was a creative person I couldn’t abide by it.

If you keep teaching the same thing over and over it’s easier, right? It’s way boring, though.

That’s just not my style. I like to build a better mousetrap.

Cirque Du Soleil Lessons–a New Twist for Drama Classes

When our daughters were young, we traveled to Disney World and just happened to get tickets for our first Cirque Du Soleil show, La Nouba. Oh my gosh, we were awestruck the entire time. If you haven’t seen it or any of their circuses, you are missing out! Here’s an example for you:

As you can see, their shows are magnificent!

Who is Cirque du Soleil?

According to Wikipedia, “Cirque Du Soleil is a Montreal-based entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in the innter-city area of Saint Michel, it was founded on June 16, 1984 by former street performers Guy Laliberte and Giles St.-Crois. Like many new entertainment ventures, they had a great idea but not much money to make it happen. Then in 1983 they received a government grant from the Canada Count for the Arts to perform as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Jacques Cartier’s voyage to Canada. Its theatrical, character-driven approach and the absence of performing animals helped define Cirque du Soleil as the contemporary circus that it remains today.”

When I returned to school that year, I got to thinking about how I could use La Nouba in the classroom. First, I created a lesson on costume design about it. Kids just LOVED it!

As a result of my attendance to the show, we’d see video snippets about La Nouba. I’d talk them through the various acts pointing out the costumes and makeup in particular. Then the students would study costume design and its importance in theatre and finish by designing their own Cirque costume.

Since writing was a big push of ours at our school, I thought they needed to do more than design. So, I also assigned them to write a letter to a family member as if the student was hired by Cirque detailing their employment and subsequent training in the circus.

Time to Study Stage Makeup

Next it was time to study stage makeup–why not continue with the Cirque Du Soleil focus?

For Grades 6-9

We did so, and I was amazed at their wonderful designs and ideas. Here is one:

Isn’t this awesome?

I thought other teachers may like to use these lessons as well. Each lesson is about two days in length which could be stretched to a week if you did both. That’s a heck of a week of learning if you ask me.

Cirque Du Soleil Lessons–a New Twist for Drama Classes

For Grades 4 to 7.

Check out the product here: Costume Design with Circus Performers

Purchase at Costume Design with Circus Performers

Stage Makeup Design with Circus Performers

These elements of drama lessons study costume design and stage makeup using circus performers (in particular Cirque Du Soleil) as their focus! These are great for an elementary gifted class or middle school drama class.

Students love to study stage makeup! Even boys enjoy it as you can see from the above.

Costume Design and Stage Makeup Design:

Costume Design includes:

The History of Costume Design
The Rationale for Teaching Costume Design
Costume Notes for Students
Procedure
Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
Materials List
Source & Video link list (Cirque De Soleil, Ringling Brothers, etc.)
A Warm-Up—engaging and creative
Circus Performer list & skills
Two Assignments–one drawing and one creative writing
Student Examples

Stage Makeup Design:

Warm Up Game–Zip, Zap, Zop (MY version)
The History of Stage Makeup (separate file of Power Point slides & teacher’s lecture notes)
Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it
Procedure
Materials List
Source & Video link list (Cirque De Soleil makeup tutorials, Circus Shmurkus, Barnum and Bailey, etc.)
Pinterest board link with examples
Two Assignments–one drawing and one creative writing
Theatre Quote page–great to use for discussion and/or bell ringers

Check out my advice at: Why You Should Use These Effective Teaching Methods, Part Two

I hope you get a chance to see both Dumbo and a Cirque Du Soleil show soon. You won’t regret it!

My favorite act at the circus is the trapeze. What is yours?

I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Stage Properties are a Lesson in Wondrous Creativity

July 30, 2018 By dhcbaldwin 1 Comment

Stage properties are a lesson in wondrous creativity.

When I was studying theatre in college, the first back stage crew I signed up for was stage properties.

Boy, I had a lot of learning to do!

The show was “Look Homeward Angel” which is a period piece set in the early 1900’s. My job was to serve as an assistant of sorts to the cast. I would hand them props or take them from them if they were in a hurry. I prepared the set each night before the production, put the props away after the performance and kept them in good repair.

I hadn’t really given props much thought although I had been in charge of them in high school as well for “The Miracle Worker”. That was high school, you know? I lived in a small town in Kansas and we didn’t have the money or energy to do more than the basics.

But college was a whole different experience.

I always advise my students that if they want to go into theatre as a profession, stick to technical theatre because you’ll be hired more often than an actor. Good properties people are hard to find.

They are resourceful, creative and inventive. The American Theatre Wing has some super videos to inform us about thetre careers. Check this out: American Theatre Wing’s Stage Properties

Cool, huh?

Stage Properties a Lesson Wondrous Creativity

Here is a post I blogged specifically about the importance of props in your production: Critical Steps in Choosing a Play or Musical: Stage Prop

When I graduated from college, I spent a summer as a stage properties mistress at the Okoboji Summer Theatre. It was an incredibly difficult experience–ten shows in nine weeks. I can handle a lot, but this job nearly broke me.

In case you didn’t understand that, I said 10 SHOWS (different) in 9 WEEKS!!!

Yowzer!

Most productions have many props they need.

Musicals and comedies have the largest number.

Usually comedies need strange things:

a Mickey Mouse hat to hold crackers on a “cheese ball”
two live afghan dogs, hopefully identical
a grand piano which is playable
matching living room furniture in beige
a large embroidered sampler held on a standing frame
a painting with a church steeple which looked rather phallic
a live cat
liver and onions (which the cast can eat on stage–we used dark rye bread for that one)
fruit pies impersonating the meat pies for “Sweeney Todd”
8 breakable white water pitcher which could hold water for five minutes and then break on cue
bird puppets
steamer trunks
child’s rocking chair
1940 roller skates

Plus, all the things which are made from scratch such as swords, daggers, child’s coffin, and a grave marker to name a few.

See? These are pretty fun and students studying theater need to know about the subject.

Stage properties are a lesson in wondrous creativity!

You can find it at: Stage Properties Using Cooperative Learning

Those of us in drama education have a tendency to gloss over stage properties when we teach about them. I inform students if they like to make crafts, enjoy theatre and art they are going to love stage properties.

This one-day lesson about stage properties (with fairy tales as the focus) is suitable for upper elementary and middle school students. It is engaging, fun and unique.

Students learn about stage properties, view video examples, take notes, team up with a classmate and use their imaginations!

Product includes:
Procedure
Teacher’s Questions
Stage properties categories and the reasons they aren’t labeled as such
Short quiz
Cooperative learning assignment

So look into my Stage Properties product, will you? I think it will help you and your students.

What are some stage properties you have created?

I’d love to learn about them.

Looking for other drama education products? Check out my store at: Teacher Pay Teachers Dramamommaspeaks Store

There you’ll find units on storytelling, tableau, radio theater costume design, Shakespeare and new products each week!

Reviews of other Dramamommaspeaks products:

“This is a great very well written resource and very good for text comprehension! Thank you!”

“This is such a wonderful and creatively made resource!”

“Love this activity! What a great way for students to work together!”

lesson plans

Eight Things You Should Include in Your Middle School Theater Scope and Sequence

A Thirteen Year Middle School Teaching Adventure

My Middle School Scope and Sequence Curriculum

Objectives I Met with This Scope and Sequence Theater Curriculum