There is no "homework" in my Drama/Fine Arts classes. In some instances,
for specific plays, students may need to memorize lines. The fifth grade
Drama Club members need to memorize their lines from the plays we will
perform. They should be given scripts with ample time to learn their
lines. I do have Drama Club members sign a contract vowing to put their
schoolwork first. As this is an extracurricular activity, I do not want it
to interfere with their regular classwork. Please let me know if there is
any problem.
The First Grade students will need to remember some lines from their
play this year but they are very simple lines from familiar stories that we
will practice in class.
I will be assigning some extra-credit writing projects this year in some
classes. This is in an effort to incorporate more writing into my Drama/Fine
Arts Curriculum and also to encourage extra effort in achievement. The
following information outlines these extra-credit assignments:
1.My fifth grade classes will be offered the opportunity to write a story,
letter or poem from the point of view of a person in their Social Studies
Curriculum.
2.My fourth grade students will be offered the opportunity to write a
storytelling story or play about a historical character or from that
character's point of view, based on the Social Studies Readers Theater we
perform.
3.All students have the opportunity to write an original story/play
about "Outer Space" or any other subject of their choice that they
feel inspiration as a result of our classroom activities. These will be
shared in class and may be performed as a play on stage.
All of these writing assignments are for extra-credit to be turned in
to me as assigned. They are not required. Students who choose to
participate will receive an E for one grade for their extra effort. Other
grade levels may be participating in writing activities as a part of our
classroom work. Thank you for your support in my efforts to inspire a love
of writing across all curriculum.
I am also now offering an option for extra-credit for students who
prefer Math activities to Writing, in order address the needs of students who
have an inclination in the areas of Logical/Mathematical rather than
Linguistic Intelligence. These students can choose to complete a Math
Exemplar Word Problem about Space Creatures that can be picked up in class.
Students who complete this activity must show and explain their work in order
to receive the extra- credit E grade for extra effort. The students seemed
so enthusiastic about participating in this extra-credit math prblem-solving
activity, that I have decided to offer a different Math Exemplar opportunity
each nine weeks for extra-credit. I hope this new activity will encourage
improvement in Math skills for problem-solving and
Math reasoning.
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