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Communication is Key! Create a residency uniquely designed for your students. Teachers may select any Language Arts unit, project or text. Collaboration with the Teaching Artist assures align... Read more

Communication is Key! Create a residency uniquely designed for your students. Teachers may select any Language Arts unit, project or text. Collaboration with the Teaching Artist assures alignment of specific theatre exercises with selected content. (See Additional Notes for examples)

The residency typically consists of 5 sessions with possible 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.

Session 1 builds comfort and confidence for participating in drama, as students focus attention in their own Personal Space, turning off their "Auto-pilot" and actively tuning in to their surroundings.

Sessions 2 and 3 offer a sequence of theatre exercises that boost concentration, heighten sensory awareness, expand sensory recall, and stimulate imagination/creativity. Working with partners or in small groups, students sharpen their observation and recall skills as they re-sense and describe their experiences by writing, drawing, or speaking.

Session 4 guides students to incorporate their observations into a poem, story, or descriptive paragraph; or to select relevant facts and concrete details for an essay, historical narrative, or scientific report.

Session 5 empowers students to confidently share a portion of their work with peers using tips from reader's theatre and public speaking; to reflect on their own efforts; and to give/receive feedback to solidify their learning.

In Vivid Vocab, improvisational theatre activities enable students to harness the power of words to successfully meet the constant challenge to "add more detail" to their writing. The program provides a balance of ease and challenge, choice and structure, movement and table work, individual exploration and group collaboration; ideal for equipping middle school students with the necessary tools to effectively discover and describe the world around them.

*Feedback shows that "students take personal pride in their original work" and even those who "never talk in class" are willing to share.

60-90 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level ShareNumber of visits is flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Language Arts unit. ... Read more

60-90 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level Share
Number of visits is flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Language Arts unit.
Schedule determined during the pre-planning meeting and based on the needs of the school.

Chart paper or white board Paper (lined and non-lined) or a journal for each studentAgreed upon materials or copiesCopy of selected Language Arts unit or chapter and related te... Read more

Chart paper or white board
Paper (lined and non-lined) or a journal for each student
Agreed upon materials or copies
Copy of selected Language Arts unit or chapter and related text

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 or drawing activities
An accessible outdoor space near the building for Sensory Exploration (optional)
A large space or auditorium reserved for Session 4 and Session 5, if sharing with the whole grade level

I can demonstrate focus, concentration and sensory awareness by using two or more of my 5 senses to fully explore an environment or object.I can use sensory recall and appropriate gr... Read more

I can demonstrate focus, concentration and sensory awareness by using two or more of my 5 senses to fully explore an environment or object.

I can use sensory recall and appropriate grade-level vocabulary to vividly describe a sensory experience by speaking, writing, or drawing/labeling and share my observations with a partner.

I can use precise words, phrases, and sensory language to add at least 3 relevant details describing a location, character, experience, or event in a written narrative or poem or add at least 3 concrete details or examples to improve accuracy in a written report or informational text.

Example:Students writing novels for NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program directly applied the techniques to enhancing descriptions of locations in their work.Create a project that best su... Read more

Example:
Students writing novels for NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program directly applied the techniques to enhancing descriptions of locations in their work.

Create a project that best supports the curriculum and your students or select one of the previously designed units shown below:
Writing and illustrating original haikus
Analyzing imagery and details in poetry
Writing and presenting reports for a school science fair

Sample exercises and activities:
A. For building sensory awareness -Through a Windowpane, Listening to the Environment, Identifying an Object, or Blind-folded Trust Walk
B. For developing sense memory or recall - See a Sport, Name the Food, or What am I Listening To?

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