Lauren - http://whatwouldshesay.blogspot.ca/
Daiva - http://msdaivalala.blogspot.ca/
Jason - http://dejageroise.blogspot.ca/
Angela - http://awongmidtown.blogspot.ca/
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
A Final Post
So I've had a lot of trouble writing blogs about this practicum. I think the main reason is that I didn't want my blog to turn into a venting-machine. I wanted it to stay positive and happy and I wanted to fill it with details of interesting things and personal accomplishments. The other issue is that I still don't feel like my practicum is over...
Why is that? Because I still need to go back to the school this week and next week to complete the Drama Showcase.
This could be the worst timing ever - Drama Showcase just happens to fall right in the middle of what feels like the two busiest weeks of OISE. I am going a little crazy. But I know that completing this, giving this all I've got, will really help me in both my career and my personal development as a drama teacher.
I've also decided to work on a proposal to the Parent Council to run a Musical at the school next year - more details on that to come.
To sum up my practicum I'm going to answer the two questions that Serge asked us in Community Circle during TES class yesterday:
What was your biggest challenge? What made you proud?
My biggest challenge was working with an AT who doesn't have very good class management tactics. Because of the way his class is managed, there is very little respect in the classroom and he usually gets very angry and yells at students. I saw my AT yell every single day. And on some days he would completely "lose it" - these were the worst days.
Being the rotary drama teacher at this school is an extremely challenging task: you see over 250 kids every week and most of the time they are in classes of over 30. And many of the students in those classes don't want to be in drama - they are there because they are forced to be there. Most of the time it is because they are students who "cannot be trusted with an instrument". So any students with behavioural problems are put in drama.
Also, the putting together of the "Drama Showcase" is extremely stressful. I could not do what my AT does. The task is to create polished work that is student written/developed in 4 weeks in a class of 30 students, most of whom don't care/respect, and the piece can be no longer than 4 minutes. Trying to do this with these classes is extremely difficult work and is extremely high stress. My AT also takes his work very seriously and this is why he flips out on students.
On the other hand, I am most proud of the work that I achieved with my students (specifically the grade 1 vocal music classes and the grade 6 class - with whom I did the Hieroglyphics Dance Unit). And I am most proud of the relationships that I was able to develop with certain students.
I truly believed that being in Rotary meant that you aren't able to really connect with any students. On the contrary, I was able to connect with quite a few students and this is what made my days at this school enjoyable. I looked forward to seeing these students every day.
On my last day of Practicum I received big hugs, thank yous and goodbyes from many of the students that I connected with. My most memorable moments are a hug from a grade 7 boy (who was having difficulties being motivated in drama class but who I pushed and then he eventually excelled) and a group-hug from a huge group of grade 6 girls.
Despite all of the stress and challenges I truly loved my practicum.
Why is that? Because I still need to go back to the school this week and next week to complete the Drama Showcase.
This could be the worst timing ever - Drama Showcase just happens to fall right in the middle of what feels like the two busiest weeks of OISE. I am going a little crazy. But I know that completing this, giving this all I've got, will really help me in both my career and my personal development as a drama teacher.
I've also decided to work on a proposal to the Parent Council to run a Musical at the school next year - more details on that to come.
To sum up my practicum I'm going to answer the two questions that Serge asked us in Community Circle during TES class yesterday:
What was your biggest challenge? What made you proud?
My biggest challenge was working with an AT who doesn't have very good class management tactics. Because of the way his class is managed, there is very little respect in the classroom and he usually gets very angry and yells at students. I saw my AT yell every single day. And on some days he would completely "lose it" - these were the worst days.
Being the rotary drama teacher at this school is an extremely challenging task: you see over 250 kids every week and most of the time they are in classes of over 30. And many of the students in those classes don't want to be in drama - they are there because they are forced to be there. Most of the time it is because they are students who "cannot be trusted with an instrument". So any students with behavioural problems are put in drama.
Also, the putting together of the "Drama Showcase" is extremely stressful. I could not do what my AT does. The task is to create polished work that is student written/developed in 4 weeks in a class of 30 students, most of whom don't care/respect, and the piece can be no longer than 4 minutes. Trying to do this with these classes is extremely difficult work and is extremely high stress. My AT also takes his work very seriously and this is why he flips out on students.
On the other hand, I am most proud of the work that I achieved with my students (specifically the grade 1 vocal music classes and the grade 6 class - with whom I did the Hieroglyphics Dance Unit). And I am most proud of the relationships that I was able to develop with certain students.
I truly believed that being in Rotary meant that you aren't able to really connect with any students. On the contrary, I was able to connect with quite a few students and this is what made my days at this school enjoyable. I looked forward to seeing these students every day.
On my last day of Practicum I received big hugs, thank yous and goodbyes from many of the students that I connected with. My most memorable moments are a hug from a grade 7 boy (who was having difficulties being motivated in drama class but who I pushed and then he eventually excelled) and a group-hug from a huge group of grade 6 girls.
Despite all of the stress and challenges I truly loved my practicum.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Democracy in the Classroom
One of the biggest challenges in my first week at Runnymede, was the fact that the grade 7s and 8s needed to create a "Theatrical Piece for the Drama Showcase - student written and acted - linked with Social Justice and/or History. Uses Dialogue as well as Movement."
My question was "How do you create polished student written/acted material in a class of 35 students with the following challenges?"
- The piece can be no longer than 3-4 minutes
- Must have a Social Justice/History theme
- Incorporate: Dance, Movement, Choral, Poetry, Song, Tableau
- Must incorporate the WHOLE CLASS
I'm very proud to say that using a completely democratic voting method, each class has come up with a theme/idea for their piece in the drama showcase. We accomplished this in a 3 class method:
1) In the 1st class students made groups of 4-5. In their groups they used chart paper and markers to brainstorm ideas for the drama showcase. They had to make sure to stick to the above Drama Showcase Guidelines.
2) In this lesson, students learned about the Elements of a Dramatic Performance. I gave each group a handout that they had to fill out with their group's idea and what Elements of a Dramatic Performance were included in their idea. Each group had to have a Title, a Theme (Social Justice/History theme), a Plot (Beginning, Middle, End) and one other Element (Character, Language, Song, Spectacle)
3) In this class, each group presented their idea to the class. We then had a democratic voting process, whereby each student was given an anonymous ballot and voted for their 1st and 2nd choices in a voting booth.
This method has worked extremely well and the votes have been tallied. I am very excited for the next lesson where we will let the classes know the outcome of their votes and we will begin the process of casting/blocking/staging the piece... Drama is exciting stuff!
My question was "How do you create polished student written/acted material in a class of 35 students with the following challenges?"
- The piece can be no longer than 3-4 minutes
- Must have a Social Justice/History theme
- Incorporate: Dance, Movement, Choral, Poetry, Song, Tableau
- Must incorporate the WHOLE CLASS
I'm very proud to say that using a completely democratic voting method, each class has come up with a theme/idea for their piece in the drama showcase. We accomplished this in a 3 class method:
1) In the 1st class students made groups of 4-5. In their groups they used chart paper and markers to brainstorm ideas for the drama showcase. They had to make sure to stick to the above Drama Showcase Guidelines.
2) In this lesson, students learned about the Elements of a Dramatic Performance. I gave each group a handout that they had to fill out with their group's idea and what Elements of a Dramatic Performance were included in their idea. Each group had to have a Title, a Theme (Social Justice/History theme), a Plot (Beginning, Middle, End) and one other Element (Character, Language, Song, Spectacle)
3) In this class, each group presented their idea to the class. We then had a democratic voting process, whereby each student was given an anonymous ballot and voted for their 1st and 2nd choices in a voting booth.
This method has worked extremely well and the votes have been tallied. I am very excited for the next lesson where we will let the classes know the outcome of their votes and we will begin the process of casting/blocking/staging the piece... Drama is exciting stuff!
A list of comments on my first week at Runnymede
1) Grades 1 students are adorable, but they cry a lot. Fairness is also a big issue for them. They notice everything. I like singing with them. I am currently learning the song "Inch Worm" on piano so that I can teach it to them this week.
2) It is very difficult to control the grade 5s. In my last class with these students, they found out that "Miss Thomas means business". I punished two boys by sending them to two different corners of the classroom (I've never sent a child to a "corner" before, this was a first for Miss Thomas - Mr. Latter would have preferred I sent them out into the hallways, but I wanted them to be able to see/hear the lesson). After I did this, the class was much easier to control. I had long talks with both boys and I hope to see progress in their behaviour. We shall see.
3) Grade 6 dance is coming along quite well - I am doing the Hieroglyphics Dance unit with them - the intention is is that this will create a polished dance piece for the Drama Showcase in April. My fingers are crossed.
4) Grade 7s ... What to say about them? Some of the most intimidating moments of my entire teaching life have taken place with these students - luckily this happened during my step days (Mr. Latter had me teach close to 100% during my step days at Runnymede). However, I get the impression that they do like me and respect me. I can get their attention and they create good work in my classes. The problem is they never stop talking, they give me silence when I wait for it, but sometimes it takes a long time. I think this just seems to be the way that Grade 7s are, especially if there are 35 of them and they are sitting on "risers" in a drama classroom.
8) Serge has suggested that I try a new method for classroom management with my grade 7 and 8 drama classes: He's suggested something called "pods". I will try this next week. I will take pictures and report back on this blog with progress.
2) It is very difficult to control the grade 5s. In my last class with these students, they found out that "Miss Thomas means business". I punished two boys by sending them to two different corners of the classroom (I've never sent a child to a "corner" before, this was a first for Miss Thomas - Mr. Latter would have preferred I sent them out into the hallways, but I wanted them to be able to see/hear the lesson). After I did this, the class was much easier to control. I had long talks with both boys and I hope to see progress in their behaviour. We shall see.
3) Grade 6 dance is coming along quite well - I am doing the Hieroglyphics Dance unit with them - the intention is is that this will create a polished dance piece for the Drama Showcase in April. My fingers are crossed.
4) Grade 7s ... What to say about them? Some of the most intimidating moments of my entire teaching life have taken place with these students - luckily this happened during my step days (Mr. Latter had me teach close to 100% during my step days at Runnymede). However, I get the impression that they do like me and respect me. I can get their attention and they create good work in my classes. The problem is they never stop talking, they give me silence when I wait for it, but sometimes it takes a long time. I think this just seems to be the way that Grade 7s are, especially if there are 35 of them and they are sitting on "risers" in a drama classroom.
8) Serge has suggested that I try a new method for classroom management with my grade 7 and 8 drama classes: He's suggested something called "pods". I will try this next week. I will take pictures and report back on this blog with progress.
Serge's Observation Letter
Dear Serge,
All Drama students at Runnymede
are beginning their work on their class production for the Drama Showcase. The
Showcase will be taking place on April 12th 2012 in the Western
Commercial-Technical School auditorium. My entire practicum at Runnymede will
be in preparation for this performance.
The Grade 8 students are to
create a theatrical piece for the Drama Showcase that is student written and
acted – this piece must be linked with a social justice or history theme. This
lesson is the 2nd lesson in a series of 3 lessons that will decide
what the overall theme/idea will be for this performance.
Drama Showcase Guidelines (As
given to the grade 8 students):
1)
Your class’ piece can be no longer than 3-4
minutes long
2)
Must have a theme of History and/or Social
Justice that is relevant to you
3)
Can incorporate dance, movement, choral reading,
poetry, song, tableau
4)
The piece MUST incorporate the whole class
5)
Must have a Beginning, Middle and End. Who,
What, Where must be clear.
In their last lesson (Feb 28),
this class began brainstorming their ideas in groups. In this lesson we will
review the Guidelines as well as introduce the Elements of a Dramatic
Performance. In their groups, students will boil down their ideas to one main idea
and then develop that idea further.
In the next lesson (next steps),
the groups will present their idea to the class and answer any questions that
students may have. They will then complete a democratic voting process in which
each student can make a 1st and 2nd vote choice. The idea
with the most votes will be chosen for development as this class’ Drama
Showcase Performance.
Hope you enjoy the lesson!
Sincerely,
Vivian Thomas
Week 1 - Let the Adventures Begin!
Runnymede - Rotary Drama and Vocal Music, this is the J/I Drama teachable dream ... However, sometimes it feels like more of a nightmare.
Imagine this scenario:
a) You are teaching in a room without desks
b) You are teaching grades 1 (5 different classes of 20 kids), 4 (one class of 31), 5 (one class of 30, extremely misbehaving students), 6 (class of 30), 7 (one class of 31, other 35), 8 (one class of 34, other class 26)
c)You are trying to remember 317 names
d) You have 4 weeks to put together a "Drama Showcase" polished piece by each class from grades 4-8
e) There's a couple observations, a unit plan and a learning wall that need to fit in there somewhere too...
Let the adventures begin!
Imagine this scenario:
a) You are teaching in a room without desks
b) You are teaching grades 1 (5 different classes of 20 kids), 4 (one class of 31), 5 (one class of 30, extremely misbehaving students), 6 (class of 30), 7 (one class of 31, other 35), 8 (one class of 34, other class 26)
c)You are trying to remember 317 names
d) You have 4 weeks to put together a "Drama Showcase" polished piece by each class from grades 4-8
e) There's a couple observations, a unit plan and a learning wall that need to fit in there somewhere too...
Let the adventures begin!
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