High School Drama

2010-2011
Ms. Sanders
Class Location
Drama will be usually be held in Room 310, but Ms. Sanders will
try to have it in the auditorium as frequently as possible. If the class
location changes, she will e-mail you in advance.

Course Outcomes
In High School Drama, it is expected that students will:

 Demonstrate personal growth through Drama.

 Use Drama to explore their environment and to express ideas,
perceptions, and feelings.
 Understand how to use their bodies and voices to communicate
effectively.
 Respond critically and ethically as a member of an audience and
an ensemble.
 Value cultural diversity and be able to demonstrate respect for a
wide variety of theatrical traditions.

These outcomes will be expressed through four units:

1. Ensemble Building
What is ensemble?
What creates ensemble?
What destroys ensemble?

2. Adapting Shakespeare: Making Meaning

What is a text? What in our society do we read?
How do we create meaning when we read?
How can we adapt texts to our own environment to give them
new meaning?

3. Theatre As A Voice of Culture: Vietnamese Water

Puppetry
How does our environment shape our art and our identities?
How can we use objects in our environments to create theatre?
How do we affect our audiences?

4. Theatre As A Voice for Change: Mock Refugee Camp

(in collaboration with GIN Club)
What is the purpose of theatre?
How can theatre be used to change our world?
Where can theatre happen?
 Standards for Behaviour and Class Performance

In my class, we do it until we get it right. If you demonstrate

poor work or poor behavior, you will repeat it over and over until I am
satisfied with it.

Google Doc

The Google Doc is a tool that is used to record your thoughts,

feelings, and ideas about assignments, activities, and issues that come
up during class. It is an ongoing assignment that will continue through
the semester. Classroom time will sometimes be used to work on your
Google Doc, so bring your laptop with you every day. If for some
reason the Internet is not working, be prepared to save your entry as
an .rtf file and post it later when you have Internet access again.

Participation

The focus of Drama is participation and learning through

experience. If you don’t participate in the activities, you won’t learn
anything worth remembering. I understand that everyone has
different comfort levels about speaking in front of a crowd or standing
up by yourself, but I encourage you to try.

Public Performances
As part of the drama class, you will be required to participate in
public performances during the semester.
These performances are your midterm and final exams.
Attendance is mandatory. As performances approach,
students may be required to participate in several after-school
rehearsals to prepare.

Study Hall
Each Tuesday is to be used as a Study Hall. During Study Halls,
students are responsible for completing as much of their own work as
possible. As this is a planning period for Ms. Sanders, conduct yourself
responsibly and show respect for her time and your classmates’ time.
You must bring enough work to occupy yourself for the 70 minute
period
*If the class wishes, Study Hall can be waived in favour of extra
rehearsals or class time.