PLAYWRITING AND PERFORMANCE Grade 7 - Period E (Concert Band) Course Syllabus

WELCOME Welcome to 7th grade Drama and Playwriting! This is going to be a trimester filled with some wonderful writing and performance opportunities for you! This trimester you will be learning about what it takes to write a dramatic work - what do playwrights do to make appealing and exciting plays happen on stage? We will begin our trimester together doing various improvisations, which highlight the elements needed to write an interesting one-scene play. In class, you will have the opportunity to write play scenes both as an individual playwright and in a small group. Plays, however, were never meant to remain on the page, but instead beg to be performed. Each of your written scenes will be performed for the class with you in one of the key roles! Finally, you will embark on the journey of creating a scene from beginning to end as you and your small group write, rehearse, costume, gather props and set pieces, memorize and ultimately perform your scene for both the class and the video camera. Let's get started! CLASS MEETING TIMES This course meets during E period two times a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. ARTS TRIMESTER DATES You have Drama and Playwriting during the first arts trimester, which begins on Tuesday, August 28 and ends on Tuesday, November 20. CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS Every 7th grade student in Drama and Playwriting will be expected to: Complete all homework assignments and turn them in on time. Participate in all class acting improvisation activities. Work cooperatively with classmates in all small group work as you create, write, rehearse, memorize lines, add technical elements, and finally perform your scene for the class Be a supportive and respectful audience member during class performances HOMEWORK Homework will be assigned in class. Because we only meet twice a week you always have more than one night to complete the work assigned. Homework is expected to be turned in at the beginning of the period on the due date. My homework policy is as follows:

One day late	-20%
Two days late	-30%
Three or more days late	-40%

ASSESSMENTS Written work: All three scenes (two done individually and one in a small group) are graded for content and form. Performance work: Student performances are graded in the final small group scene using a rubric. This is the one performance when students have ample class time for rehearsals. CLASS BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS All 7th graders in this class are expected to follow the Middle School HARRT code as our standard of behavior expectations. You should arrive in class both prepared and on time. Gum is not allowed in class. Cell phones, electronic games, etc are also not allowed and will be confiscated if visible. We're going to have a great trimester together and I can't wait to see the wonderful work you do! WELCOME! Mrs. Ellingboe