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8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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. If you are new to my blog, welcome! I’m quite flattered that you’d check me out.

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

My First Teaching Experience with Middle School 

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. Looking for a free biography and one pager assignment about Lin Manuel Miranda?

 

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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 chaotic. But that’s a blog post for another day.

In 2017, I began my store on Teacherspayteachers.com.  My plan was to recoup 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.

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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 guidance 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 novices.

Engaging Activities to Inspire Creativity and Collaboration

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. You can find my lesson for movement here:  Movement

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

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & 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.

If you want a bundle of technical theater units for middle school, click here.

Or you want a REALLY BIG BUNDLE  of middle school drama units, click here.

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

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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

8 Must-Haves for Your Middle School Theater Scope & Sequence

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

Multicultural Folk Tales

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!

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaSpeaks List

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Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

Recently, I had a wonderful opportunity to chat with a first year teacher as he planned the rest of his school year.  He began the year with the students all learning from home, then his school went to hybrid (which means half were at home and half were in the classroom) and soon he’d have them all in the classroom together.

His questions were standard ones I receive which made me think of some other questions which are frequently asked.  Here are some:

1. Do you always warm-up your students? Why?  

Warming-up your students will help in two ways–it gives the student a minute to shake off whatever occurred in the hallway or last class and also helps him to focus on your lesson to come.

2.  What is a good musical for high school students to perform?

The first thing I need to know is how your administration looks at the theater program?  If they are very supportive and want the best for their students (and they TRUST you), then you can take some chances with more adult musicals–with musicals such as West Side Story and Les Mis’ (know that there are very few roles for females in LM, however.)

By and large, I suggest the classics–The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Music Man and so forth.  Why?  They are guaranteed crowd pleasers and families will attend because they are familiar with them. Good for everyone’s ego and the box office sales.

3.  Can you recommend a good play for middle school students to perform? 

I like to produce adaptations of classic books such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, The Miracle Worker, Diary of Anne Frank, Bridge to Terabithia or Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Find out the reasons I suggest Anne of Green Gables here Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

4.  What do you think of improvisation exercises?

I was trained as a professional actress and at that time we did not merely improv. for the sake for fun.  Improvisation was used to develop characters or create new art pieces.  I don’t dispense improvistion like candy.  I like it to mean something (a theme) or practice some particular skill like voice and articulation, for instance.

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

5.  My students are learning from home. Can your lessons be used in distance learning?

Yes, many of my lessons can be used in distance learning.  We have this new cool program on Teacherspayteachers.com called Eastl and it will make any lesson into a digital format.

6.  If you could only teach one musical theater unit, which one would you choose?

For obvious reasons, I would teach Hamilton.  I mean, how can you go wrong with it?  My Hamilton musical lesson is fifty pages and includes everything a teacher might need:  procedure, history of the musical, list of song titles, biographies over creative staff, questions and teacher’s key, trivia and ends with enrichment activities which can be done individually or in groups.

7.  If you could only teach one radio theater unit, which one would you choose?

It depends upon my mood, but I’m pleased with how all of them came out.  The most difficult one is The Frozen Pirate which is best for high school students.  It it set in two different ships and has a narrator who is sometimes a character in the story and sometimes merely narrates.

Another one which I’m proud of is my own–Bow Wow Blues.  BWB is about a group of bumbling bank robbers in the 1930’s who are outsmarted by some quick witted detectives and a couple of dogs who help them.  The characters are broad and easy for middle school students to convey.

8.  Do you charge royalties for your scripts?

No, I don’t.  I only ask that the person producing the script send me a recording and/or photos of their production for my personal uses in marketing. Bookeeping who is producing which script would be a nightmare for me to track at this point in my business.

9.  Do you update your resources?

Yes, constantly!  For instance, let’s say it’s announced Lin Manuel Miranda will be performing in a new movie.  I go in to all the products where he is included and update the information to include a mentioned of the new movie.  Or, a link breaks or vanishes–I go in and find a new one.  Or I add a page to a resource which upon second thought makes the produce more useful to the teacher.

10.  On average, how many new lessons do you create a month?

I create about two new lessons a month and several new bundles.

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

11.  I want to follow you. Do you have an email list I could join?

You bet!  I’m getting ready to glam up my newsletter in the near future and I think you’ll want to be a part of it.  You can join here on this page up above on the right.

d

12.  Are you on Instagram?

Yes, I am very active on Instagram.  I speak about different topics there than on the blog.  You can find me at DramaMommaSpeaks on Instagram.

13.  How about Facebook?

Yes, I am.  I share various arts subjects there.  Check me out https://www.facebook.com/Dramamommaspeaks

14.  Are you ever interviewed on podcasts?

You can learn about them here The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts

15. I know Clubhouse is a big thing now.  Would I find you there?

Yup!  Just search Deb Baldwin.

16. Where could I see some reviews of your products?

You can find review of my products here Dramamommaspeaks

Frequently Asked Questions the DramaMommaspeaks List

17.  On average, how pages are your lessons?

Most lessons are around 15 pages in length.

18.  On average, how days’ long are your units?

Some units are three days in length and several are three weeks long.

19.  Do you have drama lessons for elementary students?

Yes, although not as many as I’d like.  I create lessons where the interest is–meaning if a lot of products which are purchased for the month seem to be for middle school, I will make another middle school lesson that month.

20.  Do you have drama integration units?

Yes, I have readers theater and play scripts which are perfect for drama integration. Here’s a blog post about drama integration, too.  How Do I Use Arts Integration in the Classroom?

21.  Who writes the music for your short plays?

My husband of thirty-eight years composes the music.  He is an award-winning instrumental music teacher, taught for forty years and composes as well.

22.  What is the price range of your materials?

Some products are $3.50.  The most expensive product I have are bundles which lasts a semester or even a year.  They are around $100.00

23.  Do accept suggestions?

For things to add to a product or if something needs more clarification?  Yes, but I’d rather the person emailed me than put it in a review.  It confuses the next buyer.

24.  If a teacher wants a particular lesson which you have not created, will you develop it for them?

Yes, I create lessons for teachers on occasion.  The lesson becomes my sole property, but I give the person acknowledgement in the lesson for their idea.

25.  How long does it take to create a radio theater script?

It takes about sixty-five hours to write a script. There is no playwriting template for a radio theater script, so I must set up every page by hand.

26.  Do you have any lessons about people of color?

My Famous Theater Artist Biographies and One Pager Assignment include many people of color–Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald, August Wilson, Camille A. Brown, etc. Here is a blog post concerning my thoughts

27.  Do you have lessons about technical theater?

Of course!  Everything from costume to set design. Here is one: Set Design Fairy Tales

28.  What’s next for you?

Oh…..I can’t tell you yet!  Just make sure you join my email list, look for my free products coming out soon and some other great plans.

I hope these answers help you.  Please feel free to contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or my website at DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

 

The Reasons Reader’s Theater is Successful with Our Students

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The Reasons Reader’s Theater is Successful with Our Students

When I was a little girl, I loved to read aloud.  I was good at it, too!  I think it’s where I realized performing was something I loved because by reading aloud it gave me an opportunity to try out characters and voices.

My teachers readily noticed this about me, too. As a result, I was always asked to read aloud.  I felt very special at the moment.

Because I am very creative and drill work absolutely bores me, I wasn’t always the best student.

But reading aloud?  Oh, that’s so me….

I was looking around the internet to find some other educators (which there are many) who believed as strongly as I do about reading aloud.  My favorite method is through reader’s theater.

In case, you are unfamiliar with Reader’s Theater here is a good definition from the Education World website, a wonderful retired Language Arts Teacher,

“In Reader’s Theater, students “perform” by reading scripts created from grade-level books or stories — generally without benefit of costumes and props. The goal is to enhance reading skill and confidence through practice with a purpose. Reader’s Theater gives students a real reason to read aloud.

“A great deal of fluency research reiterates the need for repeated reading,” reported Finney. “Without fluency, there is little comprehension; the value of Reader’s Theater is increased tenfold when used as a strategy for increasing understanding of what is being read.”

Reader’s Theater motivates reluctant readers and provides fluent readers with the opportunity to explore genre and characterization.”

Yes, yes and one more yes!

Reader’s Theater motivate reluctant readers and provides them a safe environment.  They can actually “hide” behind a script.  As they focus on the script, they become unaware of reading aloud in front others.

Here are the Reasons I think Reader’s Theater Works:

  1.  It strengthens one’s reading–repeated reading of words makes them familiar.
  2.  It’s a safe way to involve reluctant readers.
  3.  Generally, the stories are short and highly engaging.  (No one wants to read a boring script aloud!)
  4.  It’s a great way to read different genres without having to commit to an entire book.
  5.  It “feels” like you are performing, but in a non-threatening manner.
  6.  Because students feel safe, their inner performer is more likely to emerge.

My only advice: I wouldn’t suggest putting kids on a stage to try out reader’s theater.  You have just shot yourself in the foot!  I promise, it won’t go well.

The Reasons Reader’s Theater is Successful with Our Students

Here is more from Education World.

Judy Freeman a literature consultant states,

“Reader’s Theater allows children the luxury of lingering over a story; acting it out many times so they come to understand all its nuances,” Freeman explained. “Too often, children read a story and only understand it at its most superficial literal level. With Reader’s Theater, they’re not just reading a story; they’re living it.”

 

“Always perform a Reader’s Theater script at least twice,” she advises. “The first time, the children will be struggling with words and their meanings, and with making sense of the play. It’ll be rough, but who cares? The second time, they’ll be able to focus on enjoying the performance and their parts in it. You can, if you wish, carry it further, adding props, costumes, and scenery; memorizing lines; or even putting on the play for other groups. You don’t have to, though. It’s the process that’s important here, not a finished product.”

That’s an important statement–it’s not a finished product.

To sum up in one phrase–Reader’s Theater allows for trial and error when reading.

Multicultural Folk Tales Reader’s Theater Scripts

I’ve penned several reader’s theater scripts.  Each is based on a multicultural folk tale.

Reader’s Theater:  The Sprightly Tailor

If you are looking for some different reader’s theater scripts, I’m your gal.  Because of my extensive experience teaching and directing (38 years–yikes!), you can trust the quality of these scripts.

AND HERE’S SOMETHING ELSE…

Each of these units comes with original songs written especially for the piece.  How cool is that?

This is not just a script, it’s a unit!

Here’s what you receive:

  •  Letter to teacher
  •  Warm up exercise
  •  Advice in directing reader’s theater
  • Blocking plot for teacher’s staging needs
  •  Scripts with roles for large classes
  • Original song

Does this sound good to you?  Check them out at:  Dramamommaspeaks Store

Here’s a new bundle you may enjoy:  Comical Reader’s Theater Scripts and Units

The Reasons Reader’s Theater is Successful with Our Students

When I taught at Smithton Middle School in Columbia, MO I used reader’s theater with an after school Drama club for ESL students.  This was about fifteen years ago.  At the time I used one of Aaron Shepherd’s scripts.  They are terrific.

Another time, I used a reader’s theater script version of Holes.  We invited reluctant readers to be involved.  I asked several administrators and teachers to play the adult roles.  It was absolutely awesome and we performed the script for the entire school.

What a boost in self confidence this was for those boys.

I co-created a youth theater program in Columbia as well–P.A.C.E. or Performing Arts in Children’s Education. We performed A Christmas Story as a stage reading.  Stage readings are very similar to reader’s theater.  You might think performing with script in hand would distract or detract from the performances.  Nope.  The audience loved it anyway.

So, I hope you’ll give reader’s theater a try whether you are in a drama class, high school language arts or social studies.  It’s not just for elementary students anymore.

What reader’s theater have you done in your class?  I’d love to hear about it.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin, Dramamommaspeaks

Abdullah’s Gold
The Little Girl and the Winter Whirlwinds
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
It Could Always Be Worse
Li Chi the Serpent Slayer
Sedna, an Inuit Tale
The Brave Little Tailor

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

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My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

If you are unfamiliar with Teacherspayteachers, it is an online marketplace for teachers to sell their lessons and units.  Similar to Etsy, each seller is an independent contractor.  Teacherspayteachers was recently named the #1 online market place for teaching products.  Pretty darn cool, I say.

One of the greatest parts of TpT is teachers selling their best lessons.  That means the buyer gets the best of the best!

I joined TpT about a year and a half ago and I’m very pleased to have found a place to share my thirty-eight years of teaching experience. It’s very humbling to know a teacher has entrusted you to help them and consequently help their students.  Your teaching keeps on going.

I have several most popular products which might be of interest to you.

First, my bundle Set Design Unit and Set Piece Templates. I created this unit approximately twenty years ago and refined it over the years. My middle school students enjoyed technical theatre and many students wanted additional information about it.  Hence, the set design unit was created!

BUNDLE SET DESIGN & TEMPLATES COVER

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

It’s description is lengthy, so here goes:

Set Design Unit 

In this eight day unit on set design, students learn about the history of set design, famous set designers and develop a critical eye about what makes up an award winning set design. Using fairy tales as their subject and setting, they create a ground plan for a story of their choosing and draw a rendering. In addition, the students must work with ratios and measuring. The first two assignments are completed individually, but then the fun begins! The students are paired up to create a model working together towards the goal. There is even room for parents to celebrate the end of the unit with your students.

Included in the unit:

• An overview of the unit for the teacher
• Rationale for teaching set design
• History of set design
• Set designer’s responsibilities
• Teacher’s Questions
• Warm up for day one
• Procedures for each day (8)
• Lecture notes including links
• Information about the message color conveys
• Ground plan example
• Rendering examples
• Stage curtain sheet for rendering
• Step by step directions for model building including photo examples
• Cheat sheet for various set pieces
• Assignment sheet for each step of the design process
• Exit slip prompts for 4 days
• Grade sheet EDITABLE
• Source Page

Set Design Templates

These Set Design templates are time savers for the busy teacher. They were created to answer the requests for additional templates to accompany the Dramamommaspeaks Set Design unit. These products are part of an Elements of Drama product category and suitable for gifted elementary and middle grade drama class.

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Another is Radio Theater I with Free Play, The Invisible Man

This THREE WEEK radio theatre unit teaches the history of radio theatre, Foley engineering, gives students an opportunity to write a commercial, create sound effects and perform in a radio play. Plus students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are strengthened. It’s a one stop shop!

It includes:

  • A lesson on the history of radio theater
  •  Information about Foley engineers
  • Three links to video clips of Foleys
  • Student created sound effect project
  • Five links to radio play performances (some vintage and some recent)
  • A lesson in writing and producing radio commercials
  • Links to four commercials and two acting exercises focused on sound effects
  • A FREE script of my adaptation of H.G. Welles’ The Invisible Man suitable for classroom with NO ROYALTIES for performances, including sound effects and music cues placed in the script
  • Procedure plan to follow throughout the unit
  • Teacher’s script—what I say and how I say it
  • A sound effects quiz
  • A student group example of a radio commercial
  • Trivia about radio theater stars and radio programs
  • Music suggestions with links
  • Floor plan for blocking a radio play and suggestions how to direct it, plus links demonstrating the directing of a radio play

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Third is Costume Design with Fairy Tale Characters

Costume Design with Fairy Tales

This two-day lesson on costume design is focused on fairy tale characters and gives the students an opportunity to be costume designers. Suitable for students in grades 4 to 8, the product is broken in to two class periods, although it could be used for a one day exploration of the subject. This is a huge time saver for the busy teacher!

Note: Not only do I provide you with the lessons and information, but I also share the questions I ask students and give you the time allotments for each step of the process.

  • Students will learn about:
  • The History of Costume Design
  • The Rationale for Teaching Costume Design
  • Costumes Notes for Students
  • Procedure
  • Materials List
  • Source & Video link list
  • A Warm-Up—engaging and creative
  • Fairy Tale Character list
  • Two Assignments–one creative and one written
  • Student Examples

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Next is Set Design, the Rendering

This two day lesson on set design was created for gifted upper elementary or middle grade students. Students learn about the history of set design, famous set designers, develop a critical eye about what makes up an award winning set design, and draw a rendering of their choosing becoming set designers themselves.

This is a perfect emergency lesson or for a substitute.

Included in the Lesson:

  • Rationale for teaching set design
  • History of set design
  •  Set designer’s responsibilities
  •  Teacher’s questions
  •  Warm up for day one
  • Procedures for two days
  •  Lecture notes including links
  • Rendering examples
  • Stage curtain sheets for rendering–one vertical, one horizontal
  • Assignment sheet (using folk tales as the focus) for both rendering andwritten description
  • Written description examples
  • Lined paper for assignment
  • Source Page

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

And lastly……Lin Manuel Miranda Famous Artist Biography

Lin Manuel Miranda cover

PART OF A BUNDLE (Ohhhhh, that means there are more!)

Here’s a mini lesson to re-energize your class. This non-fiction biography about the performing artist Lin Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, is suitable for middle and high school students and can be used as a stand alone lesson or with other biographies. Each lesson in the Places Please series is tailored to the strengths of that particular artist. Just copy and go!

Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute?

This Product includes:

  • A Complete Bio about Lin Manuel Miranda
  • A Suggested Lesson, an Exercise in Rapping, Which Complements the Learning
  • Important Dates in His Life
  • Trivia
  • Awards He Has Won
  • Quotes from Miranda
  • Questions and Answer Sheet
  • Source & Links to Movie Examples

This is a unique and product created by an award winning, veteran drama teacher.

Now I’m offering them as a bundle!

There you have it!  What TeacherpayTeacher products have you really enjoyed?  I’d love to hear about my fellow sellers.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

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Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

Today, let’s talk striking a balance with students in their middle school years. Middle School…near and dear to my heart. They can change on you in a split second and I love it!

Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

My reasons for liking middle school

I always thought I’d teach high school.  Instead, I spent most of my career teaching middle school kids.  When I was in college we didn’t have middle schools yet.  They were created about ten years later.

I must say I think middle school is a brilliant idea.  I taught for the Columbia Public Schools in Columbia, Missouri and their middle schools were sixth and seventh grades.

Our building was HUGE!  It was to hold 600 and we were bursting at the seams with nearly l,000.  There were “temporary classroom” A.K.A. mobile trailers on three sides of the building.

I did the bulk of my speech communications teaching in Colorado, however.  I worked in a very unusual home school enrichment program. It too, was bursting at the seams.  I understand the program is so popular now, they are about have their own building and not lead the Nomad life anymore.  That’s super!  They so deserve it.

Striking a Balance with Middle School Students

I find teachers either ask too much or too little of middle grade students. Sometimes I had this challenge while teaching them.  It’s a hard balance to maintain. and an easy mistake to make.  Kids between the ages of eleven and fourteen change dramatically.  Just look at this young girl.

Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

She’s probably a young sixth grader.  She wants so desperately to look grown up with her cute hat and spaghetti strap tank.  You know what gives her age away?  Her hair in braids.

Speech Class

Let’s take a speech class–either the teacher expects the students to make an outline, note cards and maybe even a power point or they expect the kids to just stand and make up the speech as they go along.

I taught for thirty-eight years and in that time, I perfected a simple but grade level appropriate rubric for speech making. It would be suitable for middle school students.

Although, this particular rubric was created for a special occasion speech, but it could easily be used for other types of speeches with a little tweaking.

I hope you’ll check it out at: rubric for special occasion speech

Why do our students need to make speeches?

I was perusing the internet to find some interesting information about speech making and ran on to this website, http://www.geraldgillis.com.  What I appreciate about Mr. Gillis’ post is that this was written by a lay person and not some fancy-dancy speech maker, you know?

Importance of Speaking Skills

Here is his post, The Importance of Speaking Skills

“Ability to inform, persuade, and direct. Business managers, educators, military leaders, lawyers, and politicians, among others, seek to develop their speaking skills to such a level that they are transformed into master communicators. Speaking clearly and confidently can gain the attention of an audience, providing the golden opportunity for the speaker to make the message known. Wise is the speaker who gains and then holds the attention of an audience, with well-chosen words in a well-delivered presentation, forming a message that is effective, informative, and understood.

• Ability to stand out from the rest. When one thinks of speaking skills, one tends to think of it as a common skill. Think again. The ability to stand before others and speak effectively is not an ordinary ability. Many people are deathly afraid of public speaking; others have little ability to form thoughts into sentences and then deliver those words in a believable way. The bad news is that at any given moment the world has precious few with the speaking talents of, say, Winston Churchill or John F. Kennedy. The good news is that a speaker whose skills are honed and developed with constant application and hard work can stand out.

• Ability to benefit derivatively. Well-developed verbal skills can increase one’s negotiation skills. Self-confidence is improved. A growing sense of comfort comes from speaking in front of larger and larger audiences. A reputation for excellence in speaking can accrue over time, thereby imparting a certain credibility to the speaker.

• Career enhancement. Employers have always valued the ability to speak well. It is, and always will be, an important skill, and well worth the effort in fully developing.

Striking a Balance with Students in Their Middle School Years

Speaking skills are important for career success, but certainly not limited to one’s professional aspirations. Speaking skills can enhance one’s personal life, thereby bringing about the well-rounded growth we should all seek.”

What experiences have you had with middle school students?  I bet they are interesting. I’d love to hear about them.

Here’s a tool which could come in handy most any day.  Conversation Starters

Here is a blog post about differentiation which could help you: Three Lessons to Engage Your Drama Class Using Differentiation

Comment on your most awkward moment at school.  I’d love to know.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin, Dramamommaspeaks