Drama II: Dramatic Storytelling

Match Charter Public High School

2014-2015
Quarter 1

Teacher Mr. Short
E-mail andrew.short@matcheducation.org
Phone Number (781) 541-0510
Graduation
credit this
course fulfills
1 Art
Class Website http://matchdrama.weebly.com/dramatic-storytelling-q1-2014.html


I. Welcome
Hello! This is Drama II! Dont let the II or the exclamation marks intimidate you. I will
provide you with everything you need to learn, enjoy yourself, and create some powerful
work. We will dig deep to touch on storytelling styles from past and present. The secret
about this class is that its really a geography course. Over the course of the quarter youll
be given multiple routes to telling a story. By the end, you will choose one you connect with
and walk it. Or run it. Or skip it. Hopefully skip it. As with all things drama (and life): show
up, participate, be open minded. Youll surprise yourself.

II. Course Description
In this course students will learn how to utilize dramatic conventions to tell stories in an
active and engaging way. They will play drama games, learn dramatic structure, perform
folk tales, and take a multifaceted approach to storytelling. This course will culminate in a
showcase where students will tell a story of their own invention utilizing multiple
storytelling styles. This does not necessarily have to be a performance.


III. Course Objectives
By the end of this course students will have a practiced understanding of multiple
storytelling styles and how they are used to convey a certain type of story. They will be
able to:
identify different storytelling traditions
determine the best use of the storytelling traditions covered
use movement and voice to convey a coherent narrative
identify autobiographical and imagined content that makes for an interesting story
apply a specific form or performative skill to convey a story they would like to tell


IV. Required texts/materials
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All students are required to have paper and a writing utensil ready to go at the beginning of
each class, in addition to a folder with all handouts and materials given out over the course
of the quarter.


V. Culminating Project or Task
This class will end with individual projects in which students will choose a storytelling
technique that was covered in class and use it to tell either an autobiographical story or a
fictional story of their own invention.


VI. Grading
Enrichment courses are all graded on the same scale as Matchs other classes.

Grading
Scale %

A 90%-100%
B 80%-89%
C 70%-79%
F <70%

The chart below explains the weighting of each component of the course.

Grading Scale %
Participation Participation points will be assessed and recorded each class by the
instructor. Please see the participation rubric for details on this
system.
40%
Classwork Class work makes up the moment-to-moment mini-assignments that
each lesson is composed of. This could include writing prompts,
creating scenes, creating a basic light plot, prop making and more.
30%
Major Assessment The actual final product of the group performance will account for
10% of your total grade. The remaining 20% will be a consideration
of your individual effort and conduct within the group.
30%


VII. Homework
While there is no homework in enrichment classes per se, a teacher may ask students to do
a 5-minute task on occasion. Further, students who fall behind because of absences or a
lack of focus in class may be asked to complete make-up work as homework.
VIII. Systems and Routines
We will be responsible for putting the room back together at the conclusion of
class. This is an all hands on deck kind of activity. Staying an extra minute and
helping as long as you absolutely WONT be late to you next class is merit worthy...
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All personal belongings (bags, coats, purses, pets, parents) must be piled in the
corner of the room designated by the teacher before the bell rings.
All students should be sitting or standing in a circle at the center of the room when
the bell rings.
We will be doing a lot of collaborative group work in this class. I will do my best to
ensure groups have a good mix of personalities, but if there is someone who you
have trouble working with it is your responsibility to talk to me about it outside of
class time. This is NOT way to avoid ever working with this person, but I will take
preferences under consideration. Any groaning, eye rolling, or other mean
behavior in response to grouping will at least earn an immediate L2 demerit.
All important information and dates relating to the drama program and/or your
class will be posted in the class Short Haus section on the corkboard.
Announcements will also be made aloud and with posters.
During the final two weeks of the course, it will be the responsibility of the group to
select and run warm ups from the body of exercises introduced throughout the
course. Leading warm ups is a great way to earn merits!

IX. The Merit/Demerit System
We Will All Earn Merits, We Will All Earn Demerits
You will know when I have issued a merit or demerit.
Because this is an enrichment course that requires constant movement and
spontaneity, there will be clearly stated times in class when behaviors
concerning posture and discussion will not earn demerits where they might in
other classes. This does not mean this class is a demerit free zone. Any rude or
uncalled for behavior will earn the appropriate demerit. Likewise exemplary
behavior will earn merits. See the Participation Rubric for elaboration on how
the merit/demerit system is specifically incorporated into this class and your
grade.
If I am giving a lecture or explaining an exercise, eyes should be on me. If I am
facilitating an exercise in progress, focus should be on the task at hand
(partner, object, scene, etc)
Appropriate Response to Correction: There are two appropriate responses
to correction at Match High School. You may either say O.K. or Im sorry and
follow the instruction, or you may simply say nothing and follow the instruction.
Rolling your eyes, sucking your teeth, sighing, muttering under your breath will
be considered a poor response to correction. This does not mean that you may
never discuss merits/demerits with me, but I do not want you to debate
demerits with me during class because it will take away from class time. I am
always open to discussing matters with you after class or at another
appropriate time outside of class.


X. Absence Policy
In-class Work: It is your responsibility to make up the work.
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1. All in-class work must be made up the day you come back at a time that does not
conflict with class.
2. It is your responsibility to collect handouts that you missed from the absent box
by the door and arrange a time with me to makeup work.

Performance Tasks: Only excused absences are allowed to makeup performance tasks.
1. All make-up performance tasks must be completed the day you come back.
2. It is your responsibility to arrange for a time after school with the teacher.


XI. Communication Expectations
Advocate for yourself! If you are absent (physically or mentally) then follow up with me
to find the best way forward. My door is always open if you just need a trusted adult to
talk to as well. The following describes the best way to contact me:
E-mail: This is the best way to contact me. I will always respond to e-mail
within 24 hours.
Text messages: Only text in dire emergencies. In all other cases e-mail is the
best way to contact me.
Phone calls: Call for scheduling concerns and emergencies. In all other cases
e-mail is the best way to contact me.
Scheduling Meetings: The best times for me to meet are between 1:15pm
and 4:15pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, but I can be flexible.


XII. Academic Integrity
All work you turn in must be your own and no one elses. If someone cheats and it is
his/her first cheating violation he/she will receive a zero on the assignment. If it is the
second cheating violation then the person will fail that class for the quarter. If it is the
third violation then he/she will fail that class for the year.


XIII. Important Dates

Date Event
10/20/14 Proposal assignment handed out; requests for computers due
10/21/14 Proposal is due; begin working on stories
10/28/14 Story completed
10/29-10/3
0
Performances of the final pieces
11/3/14 Last day of class



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Class Syllabus Signature Page


For students: Ihavereadandunderstoodallofthematerialsstatedabove.By
signingthisformIagreetocomplywiththerulesandstandardsoftheclass.

Student Name:_________________________________________________________

Student Signature:______________________________________________________

Date:______________________


For Parent/Guardian: Ihavereadandunderstoodallofthematerialsstated
above.Bysigningthisform,Iagreethatmychildwillcomplywiththerulesand
standardsoftheclass.

Parent/Guardian Name:________________________________________________


Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Parent/Guardian e-mail address:_______________________________________


Parent/Guardian Phone#:__________________________________


**Pleasetearoff,signandreturntoyourteacher**
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