Guidelines
for Papers
- Examples of Student Papers
Guidelines
for Journals
- Examples of Student Journal Entries
Lesson
Plan Guidelines
- Examples of Student Lesson Plans
Avoid general topics like, "Creative Drama in the Classroom," which is actually the name of our course. You wouldn't give an English teacher a paper called, "English Literature." So try to find a more narrow topic by being more selective (for instance, rather than a paper simply on storytelling, it would be better focused by a look at the use of storytelling in teaching social studies).
Topic suggestions for Papers:
Give the paper a structure, and let the reader know what it is by
including
a preview in the opening paragraph. Also use the first paragraph
to show why the topic is significant.
Use the body of the paper to reveal a logical progression of main
ideas,
each supported with evidence that you have discovered from your
research.
Document this research clearly. Use transitions between
paragraphs,
and make sure that each paragraph serves a single purpose, that is, to
state a main point.
Conclude the paper by either summarizing the body or providing a new
reflection upon the topic. Conclusions should relate to the
beginning
of the paper in some way, and make connections for the reader. Do
not write abrupt endings that avoid the necessary reflection that is
usually
associated with the act of concluding. Relish the final moment!
STYLE:
Avoid RUN-ON SENTENCES, FRAGMENTS, and MISSPELLINGS. This
implies
that you do not hand in your first draft, but that you revise and edit
in order to clear up the obvious mistakes.
Work for fluid sentences that are easy to read. When you read
the paper out loud, the sentences should sound smooth.
Use appropriate documentation practices. Some examples
of bibliographic references are located in my World Theatre
Guidelines,
and you can hot link to the Online
Web Page for questions about specific ways to enter information
in your text or final bibliographic page.
LENGTH:
The paper is a five-page typewritten research paper. Four and 1/2 pages looks suspicious to me!
Use only standard-size typing paper, one inch margins, and 12-point
font. The lesson plan should be one or two pages, so that
the
writing will clearly relate the activity and objectives in a concise,
confident
style.
STRUCTURE:
<> 1. Your name
WRITING TIPS:
- Work on the clarity of exercise directions (how is the
exercise
structured for all students to understand and join in - for
instance,
using sequence of short sentences rather than long explanations)
- Are the objectives specific or general (not just a repeat of
the title of the area but specific skills within that area) and how are
they to be achieved?
- Do the objectives fit the actual exercise?
- Do evaluation questions relate to the objectives (are they
questions designed for you the teacher to determine whether the skills
mentioned in your objectives were achieved)
- Are the discussion questions designed for the participants
to understand and share the values of the game
Use Specific Objectives:
Relaxation, concentration, non verbal communication, listening, as
well
as social skills, creativity, and observation.
Develop the imagination with an absence of inhibitions; Independent
thinking; Freedom for group to develop own ideas; Opportunity for
cooperation;
Opp for social awareness - putting oneself in another's shoes; Healthy
release of emotion - controlling emotion doesn't mean suppressing it
but
rather releasing it through acceptable channels; Better habits of
speech;
Experience of good literature; Intro to Theatre Arts; Recreation;
Values
for teacher who can then perceive each child better; Imagination;
communication,
imposition of rules that develop discipline and self-control, and
development
of interpersonal relationships; Concentration- the capacity to hold an
idea long enough to do something about it; Organization - establishing
order crucial for participants to gain satisfaction; Self Expression;
Discipline
- Order facilitates learning, fosters socialization, permits democracy,
fills psychological needs, and promote sense of joy; Patience;
listening
skills;
Some examples of Good Follow Ups (Discussion Questions):
How would you make this game more fun?
What was your favorite part of the .... (game, story, etc)?
Was it fun to try to .... (relate to exercise)
Questions like: Did they tell the story? Was anything left out?
What did you like about how it began? Did you understand the
ending?
What should we add or leave out next time?
How would playing a different character be different from the
one you did?
What’s interesting about this situation?
What did you learn from this exercise?
What was confusing or unclear to you?
How does this relate to what we have studied so far?
Do you see a connection between (this scene, play, etc.) and
(something we’ve read, talked about, done in class, etc.)?
Where was there evidence (examples) of good ... (acting, thinking,
observing, teamwork, etc.)?
Who were your favorite characters? Why?
Who do you know is like (a certain character)? How are they
alike?
Could you describe what happened in this story?
How did the play make you feel?
How does the play relate to your own experiences? Has this every
happened to you?
Why does this character do this (a certain action or line)?
Can you tell a story that is similar to this?
What problems did the group encounter? How did you go about
figuring
out what to do?
Where did that idea come from?
Create Good Evaluations that LINK DIRECTLY TO THE OBJECTIVES YOU IDENTIFIED:
- Students remained organized, cooperative, patient, etc. in
the
group.
- Students felt uninhibited about creating ...
- Students understood the story, characters, etc. based on their
discussion after the exercise.
- Students were relaxed; they observed each other ....; they
increased their span of concentration.
- Students kept to the rules; developed discipline;
- Students listened intently;