1. Thursday October 1 st, 2015 Today’s Agenda: 1. Finish H.K. Presentations 2. The Miracle Worker Introduction Packet 3. Stage Direction mini-lesson 4. What does this mean? Prediction Activity Homework: Character Predictions = Due Friday

2. The Miracle Worker Background William Gibson created a “teleplay” a television play based on Helen Keller’s autobiography William Gibson created a “teleplay” a television play based on Helen Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life, and letters from The Story of My Life, and letters from Annie Sullivan. Annie Sullivan. He adapted the production for the stage which later became the famous 1962 Academy Award winning version with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. He adapted the production for the stage which later became the famous 1962 Academy Award winning version with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. Later in 2000, Disney did a remake starring Later in 2000, Disney did a remake starring Hallie Kate Eisenberg. Hallie Kate Eisenberg.

3. Author of The Miracle Worker William Gibson Was born in the Bronx, New York, on November 13, 1914. Was born in the Bronx, New York, on November 13, 1914. The Miracle Worker is his second Broadway production for which he is best known. The Miracle Worker is his second Broadway production for which he is best known. Gibson was fascinated with Annie Sullivan’s triumph as Helen Keller’s teacher, which led him to write about her accomplishments. Gibson was fascinated with Annie Sullivan’s triumph as Helen Keller’s teacher, which led him to write about her accomplishments.

4. Characters in The Miracle Worker Helen Keller Helen Keller Annie Sullivan Annie Sullivan Captain Keller (Helen’s Father) Captain Keller (Helen’s Father) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother) James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother) Anagnos Anagnos Aunt Ev Aunt Ev Martha Martha Percy Percy Viney Viney Offstage Voices Offstage Voices Pass Out Homework

5. Stage Direction mini-lesson What is it? Definition: A playwright’s instruction/directions to the director and actors (written in the script) Describes the position of the actors on the Stage. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=UUzCVoBA99Y Jot down your answer

7. Basic Stage Vocabulary Stage directions apply to the actor as he/she faces the audience Stage directions apply to the actor as he/she faces the audience Stage Right -R- the actor’s right Stage Right -R- the actor’s right Stage Left –L- the actor’s left Stage Left –L- the actor’s left Downstage -D- nearest the audience Downstage -D- nearest the audience Upstage -U- away from the audience Upstage -U- away from the audience C – Center Stage C – Center Stage

8. Other Stage Vocabulary Onstage – the acting area within the set, visible to the audience Onstage – the acting area within the set, visible to the audience Offstage – the parts of the stage not enclosed by the setting Offstage – the parts of the stage not enclosed by the setting Backstage – the area behind the setting Backstage – the area behind the setting Wings – the offstage areas to the left and right of the acting area Wings – the offstage areas to the left and right of the acting area House – the auditorium where the audience sits (also called ‘outfront’) House – the auditorium where the audience sits (also called ‘outfront’)

9. Body Positions Five basic positions: Five basic positions: One quarter One quarter Full front Full front Profile Profile Three quarter Three quarter Full back Full back

10. What does this mean? A little background please! She has the constitution of a goat She has the constitution of a goat She isn’t battle-scarred yet She isn’t battle-scarred yet I call it acute congestion of the stomach and brain I call it acute congestion of the stomach and brain The slow tune of a distant belfry approaching in a crescendo and then fading The slow tune of a distant belfry approaching in a crescendo and then fading The family was talking, but in pantomime. The family was talking, but in pantomime. She is a woman steeled in grief. She is a woman steeled in grief. Now that you’re marshal, you’ll have this Yankee money. Now that you’re marshal, you’ll have this Yankee money. I’m badgered enough here by females without your impudence. I’m badgered enough here by females without your impudence. I might as well try to work in a hen yard. I might as well try to work in a hen yard. This house is at 6’s and 7’s. This house is at 6’s and 7’s. It was not our affliction I meant you to write about. It was not our affliction I meant you to write about. Some way of teaching her an iota of discipline Some way of teaching her an iota of discipline I’ll thank you not to broach it again. I’ll thank you not to broach it again. He paws his papers to the floor. He paws his papers to the floor. It was always an Irish battle. It was always an Irish battle. The battle is dead and done with; why not let it stay buried? The battle is dead and done with; why not let it stay buried?

11. She has the constitution of a goat. constitution the physical makeup of the individual especially with respect to the health, strength, and appearance of the body. Inference She is very healthy. Goats are sturdy animals that can eat garbage and still remain healthy.

12. She isn’t battle-scarred yet. battle-scarred damaged or affected by fighting Background Information Mrs. Keller was Captain Keller’s second wife. Helen was her first child. Inference Mrs. Keller isn’t used to dealing with the trials of being a mother.

13. Acute congestion of heart and stomach acute : bad or difficult, experienced to a severe or intense degree congestion : accumulation of body fluids Background In the 1880’s, doctors were unaware of many illnesses. Helen probably had Scarlet Fever. Inference Helen had a sudden onset of illness that was severe. Today it would be medically treated

14. The slow tune of a distant belfry approaching in a crescendo and then fading belfry a bell tower or steeple that holds bells crescendo a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music Inference The chiming of bells from a tower begin softly and gradually get louder.

15. The family was talking, but in pantomime. pantomime technique of showing emotions or actions by gestures without speech. Background passing of time can be expressed in a play with a pantomime scene or an audio, such as chiming bells. Inference The family is interacting with each other in one scene without speaking. This helps the audience understand that time has passed between this scene and the next. scene.

16. Now that you’re marshal, you’ll have this Yankee money. Background Mr. Keller was a Confederate captain in the Civil War. He was later appointed as marshal to North Alabama. Inference Captain Keller has some authority in his town because he is the marshal.

17. Now that you’re marshal, you’ll have this Yankee money. Yankee During the Civil War, people from the north were called Yankees. Inference Captain Keller will have money to spend to get Helen the help she needs.

18. I’m badgered enough here by females without your impudence. badgered to be repeatedly annoyed by someone or something. impudence failing to show respect Inference Mr. Keller is constantly annoyed by the women in his family and doesn’t want any male family members to disrespect him.

19. I might as well try to work in a hen yard. Hen yard Hens are noisy, messy creatures. InferenceHyperbole: gross exaggeration The working environment must be very noisy and unorganized.

20. This house is at 6’s and 7’s. Background an old English expression meaning a state of confusion, disarray. It may have originated from a dice game called “Hazard”. Inference The Keller house must be very unorganized.

21. It was not our affliction I meant you to write about. affliction a cause of mental or bodily pain. Inference I didn’t mean for you to write about what is causing us pain, but what is causing someone else pain.

22. Some way of teaching her an iota of discipline iota A very small amount Inference The Keller’s want for Helen to learn at least a small amount of discipline because she has no discipline at all.

23. I’ll thank you not to broach it again. broach to raise a sensitive or difficult subject for discussion. Inference Don’t bring up that topic.

24. She paws the papers to the floor. paw to strike or scrape with a beating motion Inference She is forcefully throwing papers to the floor.

25. It was always an Irish battle. Stereotype: preconceived beliefs about someone based on nationality, race, sex, age, etc. A stereotype is that Irish people have a temper. Inference It was always a battle because she became angry with little cause.

26. The battle is dead and done with; why not let it stay buried? Symbolism The battle is symbolic for an internal conflict. Let it stay buried is symbolic for letting something go. Inference The struggle that you experienced is over with. Don’t keep reliving it.

27. Friday October 2 nd, 2015 Today’s Agenda: 1. Homework Share-Out /Turn-in 2. Assign Character Roles 3. Reader’s Theater of Act 1 Homework: No Homework…

28. Characters in The Miracle Worker Helen Keller Helen Keller Annie Sullivan Annie Sullivan Captain Keller (Helen’s Father) Captain Keller (Helen’s Father) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother) James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother) Anagnos Anagnos Aunt Ev Aunt Ev Martha Martha Percy Percy Viney Viney Offstage Voices Offstage Voices

29. Act One (Pages 5-38) Scene 1: Setting= The Keller Household (Night time) Inside the Keller Household: Three adults surround a crib, in lamplight. They have been through a long vigil, and it shows in their tired bearing and disarranged clothing. (Captain Keller, Kate Keller, and the Doctor)

30. Monday October 5 th, 2015 Today’s Agenda: Continue to read Act 1 of The Miracle Worker Homework: Act 1 Worksheet = Due Tuesday 10/6 Act 1 Quiz = Wednesday/Thursday

31. Act One (Pages 5-38) 1. What was the doctor's diagnosis of the baby? 2. Explain how Helen is James's half sister. 3. Why was Helen searching for buttons? 4. What two presents did Annie receive for herself prior to her departure from the Perkins Institute? 5. Why did Kate give Helen a peppermint drop? 6. What was Kate's first impression of Annie Sullivan? 7. What was the first word that Annie signed into Helen's hand? 8. State the philosophy behind Annie's first instructional lesson for Helen.

32. Let’s Make Some Predictions You don’t have to hold up the porch; we have wooden posts for that. You don’t have to hold up the porch; we have wooden posts for that. The man that sold me the ticket should be tied to the tracks. The man that sold me the ticket should be tied to the tracks. Don’t be surprised if I get out to push the horse! Don’t be surprised if I get out to push the horse! I expected a desiccated spinster. I expected a desiccated spinster. Don’t lose heart just because I’m not on my last legs. Don’t lose heart just because I’m not on my last legs. In the South, we view women as the flowers of civilization. In the South, we view women as the flowers of civilization. She is very closemouthed about some things. She is very closemouthed about some things. Groping for more, she lifts out a pair of female drawers. Groping for more, she lifts out a pair of female drawers. Wearing the bonnet and smoked glasses, she looks like a caricature. Wearing the bonnet and smoked glasses, she looks like a caricature. She’s as bright as a little monkey. She’s as bright as a little monkey. Spanish monks under a vow—of silence. Which I wish you’d take! Spanish monks under a vow—of silence. Which I wish you’d take! She bats her brow at the folly of speaking. She bats her brow at the folly of speaking. I’ve been cooling my heels for an hour. I’ve been cooling my heels for an hour.

33. You don’t have to hold up the porch; we have wooden posts for that. Some porches are made with wooden posts. There is no need to hold on to the posts; they are very sturdy. Inference Get off the porch and do something useful.

34. The man who sold me the ticket should be tied to the tracks. Background The railroad was a major form of transportation in the 1800’s. However, some train rides took a long time because of frequent stops along the way. Inference The train ride was a terrible experience.

35. Don’t be surprised if I get out to push the horse! Background Another form of transportation in the 1800’s was the horse drawn cart. Hyperbole: Gross exaggeration A person isn’t strong enough to push a horse. Inference She is very impatient about getting to her destination.

36. I expected a desiccated spinster. desiccated very dry spinster old, unmarried woman Inference He thought that she would be an old woman, not a young girl.

37. Don’t lose heart just because I’m not on my last legs. lose heart idiom that means to stop believing that you can succeed last legs idiom that means you are going to die soon Inference Don’t give up on me just because I’m young.

38. In the South, we view women as the flowers of civilization. Background Chivalry is the act of treating women with courtesy and respect. Chivalry originated with medieval knights. It was an expected trait of southern gentleman. Symbolism Flowers are symbolic of women, beautiful and fragile. Inference: In the South, we treat women with respect.

39. She is very closemouthed about some things. closemouthed Cautious in speaking Inference She doesn’t want to talk about certain things.

40. Groping for more, she lifts out a pair of female drawers. groping To feel with the use of hands. drawersunderpantsInference She grabs a pair of women’s underwear as she feels her way through clothing in a suitcase.

41. Wearing the bonnet and smoked glasses, she looks like a caricature. caricature: exaggerated, funny form of a person Background Annie wore a bonnet as was customary for the time period. She wore smoked glasses because of her failing eye sight. Inference Helen was curious about her new teacher as she put on Annie’s bonnet and glasses. She must have looked like a funny imitation of Annie Sullivan.

42. She’s as bright as a little monkey. Background Monkeys are intelligent primates. However, they are skilled at imitating humans. It is difficult to know if they understand the meaning behind their imitations. Inference Helen can imitate others even if she cannot see them. It is unclear if she actually understands the meaning behind her actions.

43. Spanish monks under a--vow of silence. Which I wish you’d take! Background Finger spelling was invented by Spanish monks to communicate without breaking their vow of silence. Inference Annie is explaining who invented finger spelling. She is also annoyed with whomever is speaking to her, so she wishes that they too would vow to be silent. Annie isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

44. She bats her brow at the folly of speaking. bat: to hit with the palm of one’s hand brow: forehead folly: foolishness Inference She is frustrated with herself for speaking when she knows that talking is useless.

45. I’ve been cooling my heels for an hour. Idiom “Cooling my heels” is an expression that means to be kept waiting for a long time. It originated in the 1600’s when people needed to cool their hot feet after walking long distances. Inference She has been forced to wait for an hour.