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Understanding Math through simple Set DesignTeachers may select any Math unit coupled with a Language Arts text, if desired. Collaboration with the Teaching Artist ensures that speci... Read more

Understanding Math through simple Set Design

Teachers may select any Math unit coupled with a Language Arts text, if desired. Collaboration with the Teaching Artist ensures that specific drama activities align with the selected content to fully support student learning. (See Additional Notes for examples)

The residency typically consists of 5 sessions with the possibility of related teacher directed classwork in between. Each meeting incorporates a warm-up, a brief review, 1-2 drama activities, moments of self-reflection, a summary, and a preview.

Session1 builds comfort, confidence, concentration, and creativity, as students participate simultaneously "alone together" . Using movement and frozen shapes, children physically become components of familiar indoor or outdoor locations, learning basic elements of scene design.

Sessions 2 and 3 guide students to identify key elements of settings from a selected grade-level text or improvised scenes. As a class or in small groups, students use estimation and measurement to draw simple floor plans of each environment. Becoming the elements or using furniture pieces available in the classroom, students implement their designs and act out simple scenes.

Session 4 challenges students to revise their choices based on personal experience, peer suggestions and teacher feedback; collaborating to create a unique Sharing of their settings and scenes.

Session 5 solidifies student learning in both Math and Drama by presenting scenes and reflecting on their own work; as well as observing and responding to the work of others.

Acting skills and movement join forces with math concepts and calculations to increase student understanding of geometric shapes and spatial relationships applied to real world challenges. Personal exploration, interaction with partners and collaboration in small groups supports equal participation throughout the creative process. Activities and handouts can be applied to other topics and used in small groups or centers throughout the year.

45-60 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level Number of sessions is flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Math unit Schedule ... Read more

45-60 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level
Number of sessions is flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Math unit
Schedule determined during pre-planning meeting and based on needs of the school

*The program is designed to integrate with the Geometry unit. If scheduled otherwise, activities can be adapted to incorporate skills from an alternative Math unit.

Chart paper or white board Non-lined paper and/or graph paper for each studentTools for measuring (rulers, yardsticks, tape measures, etc)A drawing showing dimensions of the sc... Read more

Chart paper or white board
Non-lined paper and/or graph paper for each student
Tools for measuring (rulers, yardsticks, tape measures, etc)
A drawing showing dimensions of the school"s performance space
Agreed upon materials or copies
Copy of selected Math unit or chapter and related text for the planning meeting

Open space in classroom or multi-purpose space large enough for entire class to participate on their feet simultaneously or spread out to work in small groupsAccess to tables/desks/chairs ... Read more

Open space in classroom or multi-purpose space large enough for entire class to participate on their feet simultaneously or spread out to work in small groups
Access to tables/desks/chairs for writing and/or drawing activities
A large space or auditorium reserved for Session 4 and Session 5, if sharing with the whole grade level

I can identify and describe objects and their relationship in an environment by using names of geometric shapes and appropriate grade-level terminology.I can recognize and/or d... Read more

I can identify and describe objects and their relationship in an environment by using names of geometric shapes and appropriate grade-level terminology.

I can recognize and/or draw geometric shapes to create a simple floor plan (bird"s eye view) for the setting of a scene in a story or play. (Grades K-4)

I can use design concepts, measurements and mathematical calculations to create a scale drawing of geometric figures for a floor plan of a simple set design for a scene from a story or play. (Grade 5)

I can collaborate with peers to adapt and revise a simple set design representing a location in a story or play, by performing a scene to test it"s functionality.

Examples:Based on a guided reading of the book Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, students in each class recalled the events and characters of the beginning, middle or end of the te... Read more

Examples:
Based on a guided reading of the book Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, students in each class recalled the events and characters of the beginning, middle or end of the text; choosing key scenes to represent on stage. This provided a foundation for a follow-up video presentation created by the entire grade.

If a text is not available from the curriculum, the Teaching Artist guides older students in developing original scenes or provides younger students with age-appropriate selections such as George and Martha Stories by James Marshall or Aesop"s Fables.

Floor plan options:
Depending on the grade/skill level of the students, floor plans can be created individually as free-hand sketches/scale drawings or as a class collectively drawing shapes on chart paper, white board, or Smartboard.

Scheduling alternative:
At the discretion of the Teacher(s), one session can focus specifically on the math concepts prioritized for that grade-level and may be led by the Classroom Teacher with support from the Teaching Artist.

*All ACTive Learning Through Drama programs have been developed and implemented by a professional Theatre Educator in collaboration with Classroom Teachers and Arts Specialists.