Grade 9 Soap Operas
Yes, I know. I know. It's been a while again. I know. Things get so busy in a drama department, and the end of this term has seemed particularly busy for me this year. Not sure exactly why, but it has been.
I have to talk about my Grade 9's again.
They are still a group that continues to amaze me. They are still probably the most passionate students I've ever taught in Grade 9. Although, when it came to the creation of their Soap Operas, I began to see the first signs of weakness in some of them. I began to see the first signs of personality differences, of dissonance, and of group dischord. It's not unexpected of course, as they head down the path that leads to "Grade 10 Limbo" but I guess I was hoping it wouldn't happen with this group.
Don't get me wrong. They're still my 9's and I still adore them, every one of them. And the Soap Opera series was pulled off more successfully than I could have hoped for.
We began with a study of what made Soap Operas unique, and in fine form, this class engaged in passionate discussion. We played a bit with interpretation and style of delivery. We discussed subject matter and format, and then I released them to their own devised to create a series in scenes. We presented over three lunchhours spead out over a week and a half, and the response was great.
So I ask myself... do I keep this project for my grade 9's next year? Typically, when a teacher finds something that works, they keep it. But my job is unique. My grade 9's next year may have a completely different feel, a different "dynamic", a different passion. I might try it again, and see it fail. It's one of the things I love about this job. It always keeps me thinking.
Thanks 9's, once again, for a successful study.
Oh yeah, one more thing that stunned me about this class.
At the end of the unit, and in preparation for our next unit, I showed this class the movie version of the musical "Rent".
Afterwards, I asked them a single question.
"Hypothetically, if I wanted to stage this musical at GNS, what would I have to consider?"
Well, what followed was one of the most passionate discussions I have ever had with a class of fourteen year olds. They proved to me that they can look at controversy from different perspectives. They proved that they can consider the finer details of directing something as impassioned as Rent. They proved once again that they are poised to take my drama department by storm over the next three years.
Kudos.
I have to talk about my Grade 9's again.
They are still a group that continues to amaze me. They are still probably the most passionate students I've ever taught in Grade 9. Although, when it came to the creation of their Soap Operas, I began to see the first signs of weakness in some of them. I began to see the first signs of personality differences, of dissonance, and of group dischord. It's not unexpected of course, as they head down the path that leads to "Grade 10 Limbo" but I guess I was hoping it wouldn't happen with this group.
Don't get me wrong. They're still my 9's and I still adore them, every one of them. And the Soap Opera series was pulled off more successfully than I could have hoped for.
We began with a study of what made Soap Operas unique, and in fine form, this class engaged in passionate discussion. We played a bit with interpretation and style of delivery. We discussed subject matter and format, and then I released them to their own devised to create a series in scenes. We presented over three lunchhours spead out over a week and a half, and the response was great.
So I ask myself... do I keep this project for my grade 9's next year? Typically, when a teacher finds something that works, they keep it. But my job is unique. My grade 9's next year may have a completely different feel, a different "dynamic", a different passion. I might try it again, and see it fail. It's one of the things I love about this job. It always keeps me thinking.
Thanks 9's, once again, for a successful study.
Oh yeah, one more thing that stunned me about this class.
At the end of the unit, and in preparation for our next unit, I showed this class the movie version of the musical "Rent".
Afterwards, I asked them a single question.
"Hypothetically, if I wanted to stage this musical at GNS, what would I have to consider?"
Well, what followed was one of the most passionate discussions I have ever had with a class of fourteen year olds. They proved to me that they can look at controversy from different perspectives. They proved that they can consider the finer details of directing something as impassioned as Rent. They proved once again that they are poised to take my drama department by storm over the next three years.
Kudos.
posted by Hedivan at 8:11 PM
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