Environmental Change
for High School Drama Scholars
Grades 9th & 10th by Sydney Ruiz
Big Ideas
Scholars will research, write, design, and perform a 10-15 minute play that showcases the effects of Environmental Change with the purpose of evoking empathy and emotional response from their audience.
Subject-Specific Learning Objectives
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1. SWBAT research facts, character profiles, and fill out the "dramaturgy" portfolio before writing their play.
***During the research part and dramaturgy portfolio is where the other elements of STEAM come in (Science research and organization of material, using tech to research and type play, and using math through the implementation of statistic facts and future estimates) The Art is all in the play-writing and production design of play.
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2. SWBAT write a 10-15 minutes play that includes at least 3 different characters with 2 different scenes.
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3. SWBAT rehearse the play with design elements (light, sound, costume)
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4. SWBAT perform and produce the final piece.
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Specific Project Work Description
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Scholars will be divided into teams of 4, so about 6-7 in teams.
Each scholar will help in every step of the process. They will work in circles around the classroom which will allow for the collaboration discussion feel!
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21st Century Skills:
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Problem solving
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Initial problem solving skills will be utilized for the groups to discuss and decide which focus they want for their play. Do they want to try and showcase climate change, plastic consumption and effects, recycling process, etc. Then scholars will use problem solving skills throughout the project with every piece that they decide. Design, direction, writing, all of it! Problems will be around every corner and scholars should be excited to discuss and collaborate about it!
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Collaboration
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This is a team project and they will be doing everything together. Sitting in circles writing notes together and having roles (typist, director, designers, actors, ALL are researchers and the "dramaturgs")
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Communication
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Communication will revolve mainly thorough the problem solving and collaboration pieces.
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Critical thinking
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Critical thinking will go hand and hand with problem solving as scholars research and gather information about their decided sub-topic and deciding what is best to showcase in their performance, what is going to be most moving and meaningful to the audience.
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Creativity
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Creativity will come into the actual writing of the play. The story line could be very simple, but it is up to our scholars to see their sub-topic creatively and think outside of the box with how to tell their story and make it a "call to action" to their audience. How to evoke the most emotion with the mix of facts and story will be at the forefront of of their creativity practice. Finally the design elements will focus on their creativity to put the entire project together.
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Information, media, and technology skills
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Scholars will be researching information on their sub-topic, using media resources, and having to type their play which includes correct formatting.
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Interdisciplinary and Cross-disciplinary themes
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This project utilizes mainly English, Reading, and Science themes.
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Description of Evaluation Process
Student Peer Review Questions: Answered after performances
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1. Summarize what you just watched. What was the play about? What was the conflict?
2.What worked? What looked good? What sounded good? What was theatrical?
3.What did you learn about their sub-topic? *List at least 2 things you learned
4. On a scale from 1-10 how moved are you about their sub-topic? 10 being the most moved.
5. What remaining questions do you have?
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Group Evaluation:
1. Cooperation with group
2. Research: At least 3 Character Profiles, Facts (Need at least 3 in the final script cited at the end of the play), Scenery and story creation.
3. Play writing: Typed, formatted correctly, dialogue and stage directions are clear and organized for the story, references included at the end of play
4.Design and Rehearsal: Light design, sound effects, costume design choices are rationalized and apparent.
5. Final production:All elements included, perfected, organized, and clear.
-Actors are verbally clear and in character.
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NO REFERENCES USED IN CREATION OF THIS PROJECT.
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