1. Welcome to Beginning Drama
Mrs. Chenard
Dorothy McElhinney Middle School
Room B119
Mrs. Chenard
Dorothy McElhinney Middle School
Room B119
The Colts
The Colts
The Colts

2. Classroom Expectations
“To be, or not to be? That is the question!”
~William Shakespeare
Prompt
Prepared
A participant
Productive
Polite (the umbrella of respect is always up!)
Positive
Brave!  (Take a risk – step outside of your comfort zone…even a baby step is a start!)

3. Beginning Drama – What to Expect…
Journal/Reflections – Random journal prompts to reflect on and 2-3 theatre terms each class period. After every terms, there will be a test on the vocabulary. Students need a single subject notebook or composition book and a 3-pronged folder with pockets for handouts
Setting the Stage – theatre games that create an atmosphere of safety
Ensemble Experiences – working in small groups to attain theatrical objectives and goals
Mime and Movement – understanding body language and communicating through movement
Improvisation – creating on the spot answers to given scenes and objectives
Stage Fright – getting over stage fright (stretching our comfort zone)
Short Scenes – working in pairs and small groups
Monologues – working independently on memorization/characterization
Shakespeare – “The Bard”…intro to greatest poet/playwright of all times
Puppetry/story telling/script writing
Final Project – bring Shakespeare to life
Extra Credit offered for attending outside theatrical productions

4. Homework
Given on occasion to reinforce or demonstrate the theatre skills being learned in class
Theatre-based projects assigned periodically – advance notice given; due dates and requirements will be clear in advance and posted on the class webpage (students and/or parents are always encouraged to me when in need of clarification)
It is the students’ responsibility to record homework/projects and due dates in their student agendas and to check the class webpage regularly
Absences – Check the webpage; make up any missed work!!! For work that cannot be made up, an alternative assignment will be given. An absence may be excused, the learning opportunity is not!!! 

5. Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies
Positive Choices…
Positive Affirmations (aka Praise)
Positive notes, s, or phone calls home
A feeling of self-satisfaction and pride
Those “other” choices…  (the not so positive ones)…
Verbal reminder to make a better choice
Reflective time out (outside of classroom or activity area)
Phone call/ home or parent conference request
Office referral or Rapid Exit (meaning a visit with the assistant principal or dean of discipline)
Incident report signed by parent and returned the next class day
We prefer to focus on the positive! Be positive. Keep it positive!

6. In this classroom I hope my students…
Care
Offer positive input
Live, love, learn…and laugh (when appropriate!)
Turn challenges into opportunities!
Support each other in their theatrical pursuits
And remember…
COLTS LEAD by example!!!
Set the stage!!!