Lesson Plans
2016-2017
This lesson focused on summative assessments for each student and I was able to create a general holistic rubric to be used during auditions. The auditions served as a way for the students to be assessed. Each student was called onto the stage (with the curtains closed) to lead one of their favorite games. In the meantime, everyone else was out in the multi-purpose room playing and reviewing games that we've played.
Things that went well:
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We finished auditions in a timely manner
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We reviewed every game so that students remembered each one before answering the questions on the audition sheet
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The rubric was well-written and effective
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The added time intervals for each part helped with time management
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Using a stopwatch for the auditions
Things that could have gone better:
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Ask if anyone did not audition before closing auditions
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Not choosing one main character to be in every scene
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Let them know that if they are chosen to be a narrator or main character, they have to be present for the performance
This was the first lesson of the year and needless to say, there was a lot to learn from the day:
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Familiarize yourself with the whole lesson and find out how you will teach parts that aren't yours in your own way.
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When doing a parent/ family meeting, have each student sit by their family members or have a secluded area where a teaching artist will be able to play a game with every student.
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If there are half sheets on paperwork packets, put those half sheets in the front so that everyone sees them.
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Spend lots of time on name games and procedures/ policies.
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Model/ show everything you can.
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If there are too many questions after explaining an activity, stop taking questions and reteach the whole activity.
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Don't be afraid to stop teaching and regain focus if students aren't paying attention.
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Add the duration of each activity and the time predicted start time of each part of the lesson plan to help with time management.
2015-2016
In this lesson, we had the students create puppets made out of butcher paper and then design and construct the puppet's costume in a group. They even named their puppets and gave them a character backstory. I truly felt like I was leading a collaborative project with my teaching partner. She balanced my teaching style out because she had the enthusiasm, kindness, and confidence that I lacked. I realized some strengths and weaknesses of my own teaching style after teaching with her.
Strengths:
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Stay consistent with classroom management
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Value collaborative projects that lets students use their creativity
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Allow kids to play and develop an ensemble/ team by sharing or doing specific tasks
Weaknesses:
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Show more enthusiasm and kindness when interacting with students.
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Support students by praising their effort
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Develop more concise formative assessment questions.
This lesson plan was inspired by a workshop from the Houston Arts Partners conference that I attended. It mixes art and theatre by having students critically examine a painting on the iPad and analyze the characters. They are asked various questions to create a backstory for the painting. Then, they recreate their group's painting onstage with their own bodies.
Things that went well:
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The lesson plan used technology effectively.
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All of the students were engaged in analyzing their group's paintings, and they pointed out specific and tiny details that showed their critical thinking.
Things that could've gone better:
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Leading the guessing game that introduced the activity could have been better facilitated and thought-out. There were some improvisation moments that resulted in choppy instruction.
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Give more clear instructions about the character sheet so that students know they are supposed to make up a backstory for one of the characters from the painting.