Fame!

http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/students-jump-at-chance-to-work-on-film/1911150/

Yes.  We were on set.  And we loved it.  Sometimes even the smallest opportunities lead to something wonderful.

Giving thanks

I am a huge believer in showing appreciation for what students do.  It is particularly easy in Drama... because there is something tangible for the time they have given up.  Harder in other classes.

This year my form class was particularly awesome... 7 made the Academic Honour Roll (in a class of 20).  So I made cards, and the non-Honour Roll kiddos all signed them.  This group of signee's were pleased to celebrate the success of the rest of the class, and for some of them that have only just become senior students (NZ Seniors - Year 11, 12, 13... quite different to US Seniors).  I also made gingerbread cookies in the shape of stars for everyone in the class.... all named... and we had our own awards ceremony in class with cookies, cards... and a brain shaped eraser for extra measure.

I always buy flowers for the principal members of my cast for each show.  The florist gives me a fantastic rate for individual gerberas that she wraps up all fancy... and I make cards to tie to each one.  Before we perform, and at the end of our final group meeting, I give out the flowers.  Hugs and tears follow.  Always.

There is another activity... but it will wait.  I don't want this year's class to realise we are doing it soon. ;)  But... let's call it the "Personal Attribute Card".  This also results in tears.

Today I finished a bit of a project.  Using the photos we took backstage at our performance of "Hamlet" and Snapfish, I made a photo card montage.  They had a bit of a deal on 20 of them... so I got 20 cards... they come with envelopes and printing on both sides.  This year I went for a simple thanks on the back, and silly pictures on the front.  Today I posted these with a personal message to each of the members of the cast. 

I think it is really important to show gratitude for all the hard work.  Often it is easy to take for granted what students do, because it is what we think they should be doing.  But we all like to be acknowledged.  A letter in the post, with a photo of their friends is bound to become a fridge adornment or on a wall somewhere.  The flowers, well, I have it on good authority that kids who recieved them 4 years ago have dried them, still tie their hair with the ribbon, or kept the card.  And that to me means more than the time or effort it took to make it happen in the first place.

Shakespeare and my obsession

We all know (well, I know) that I am a Shakespeare nut.  I love him.  I love the language, the stories, the theatre.  I am obsessed and in love with Hamlet.  Easily Hamlet was my first crush.

And being a Drama teacher I get to indulge my obsession more than others. :D

What I am pleased with, other than the cast of my Hamlet scene from the regional competition this year, is that I have students willing to give it a go.  Shakespeare is hard.  But, this year they all completed their 5 minute scenes to an amazing standard.  They understood.  Part of course is my passion and they have to, or I will hurt them. (jokes).  But more than that, they are starting to see that the text is important.... and when the text is good, the performance will be exceptional when you know the text.

This post is a tribute to my students, who work hard, show up, do the readings, and indulge my obsessions with Shakespeare and David Tennant and Hamlet, and willingly put themselves on the line, and ultimately end up loving the Bard.

Smarty Pants... ;)

I like this for a couple of reasons.... but I will get to those later. ;)

The idea is that at the end of an important part of a unit, students need to show what they have learned.  They get a piece of coloured paper and scissors.  First they make a pair of pants, and then fill them with all the points they can remember.  I like to hang them on pegs above the door so that they end up reading them again as they leave.  Also, it looks cute.

I have done the same thing as "Dirty Laundry" teaching about the Russian Revolution or the Rise of Hitler.  Explaining on an item of clothing all the things the government didn't want the people to know... then airing it as dirty laundry in public.

Students get into it because they can't help but be silly... and the little tiny pegs also get them somewhat excited. 

I like it because as they start to fill the page, they end up discussing or quering or even... heaven forfend... checking back in their notes to make sure their pants are accurate.  I also get a really clear idea of who understands the topic, and who is still a little mystified. 

Wordless Wednesday: Mr. Potato Head

Wordless Wednesday: Red Carpet Field Trips

Finding unique opportunities for field trips makes all the difference.  Here we are at the premier of "The Hobbit" meeting Dean O'Gorman and Aidan Turner.  (Martin Freeman wasn't far behind).  A stretch of a concept for missing class, but it was aspirational for the Drama students to see people at the top of their game.

Bringing the Drama

Alright... I am a Drama teacher, so this is HARDLY a challenge for me... but I have noted that it is a massive challenge for the non-drama History students.

But, it is one of those things that requires a lot of laughter, and complete over-the-top-ed-ness in class.

Writing and performing a play based on the content can be awesome.  I have had groups write plays based on events, giving groups the same event, but from different perspectives.  However, today I used a play based on historical records, all about the discussion around the Treaty of Waitangi.

The key to success is knowing who the over-the-top kids are, and giving them pivotal characters.  Another mass hint is leading by an over-the-top example.  Shy kids need only a few lines.  Kids who have fantastic skills with language should be given sections that can highlight this.

I don't always get it right.  So be prepared to jump in and rescue kids who need it.

Brooke showing her fist full of ferns, and her extreme height

Williams presents his arguement, before Busby and Hobson

The sign-ees muttering to themselves during the debate.

Celebrating Stuff

I have this deep belief that celebrations carry an air of ritual are important.  Not for the actual celebration, but for the ritual.  ;)

What the hell do I mean, right?

Well, teaching is about relationships.  You can't teach someone something they are not ready to learn... and sometimes it is all about trust.  Creating an environment where you can call out someones bad behaviour, or find out what is making them sad, the rest of the relationship is what makes the outcome work. 

I think that all the good memories you can build up help to forge the relationship, so that you can get to know the students as actual people.  And more importantly, it helps the students get to know each other.

I am blessed in that I have a senior form class.  I keep my babies as a group for 3 years, with some leaving and some joining each year.  Fostering the love and camaraderie between the students and sharing in the silly stuff helps them realise that they are all in this crazy world together, and they need to find a way to make things work.  They are more likely to be honest and ask for help.  Or to at least accept a question or two.  My class is nuts.  I think I make them this way.  And I don't mind. 

We celebrate as many things as I can think of.  So far this year we have had a back to school luau, Chinese New Year, Valentines Day, St Patricks Day, Dr Seuss's birthday, regular birthdays, Sea Week (where we look at the FISH! Philosophy) and the school Athletic sports. 

We take pictures.  And the kids love the pictures.  I upload them to a closed Facebook group for the class.  It's becoming more than amazing, because now they upload as well, and we communicate about what is going on for the people in the class.  One student is currently on crutches, and the others are making sure that they get their bag carried, doors opened, and looked after at lunch. 

And these people were not friends at the start of the year.  In fact, most of them had never met each other.

Why start a teaching blog?

Well, why now?

I have been teaching for over 13 years now, and yet I have never started a blog about what I actually do before.  Probably because I figured this was how everyone works....

But more recently I have figured out that I am an oddity.  And perhaps in a good way.

I have taught pretty much everything.... I started with English, History and Mathematics... then added Science and Integrated Curriculum to the list... then Health.... then I moved into teaching Drama.  Along the way I have taught Computing, Media Studies, Classical Studies, Music, Debating, Theatre-sports and Improvisation, Language programmes, Gifted and Talented extension classes and Leadership Training.  You name it, I taught it....

Why?

Ha!  Beyond me if you ask.  I think it is because I have trained in... well.... pretty much everything from Theoretical Astrophysics to the Greek Language. 

Currently I teach Drama and History, and I love it.  Being able to mix hands on subjects with deep knowledge suits me nicely.  And I can't see myself changing any time soon.

I am a creative soul.  I love to write, knit, sew, quilt, write some more, dream, paint, craft, photograph, travel, explore and then do a little writing.  When I grow up I will be a writer. ;)

But for now, I think I should share a little more of what I do and why I think it is important.  You can pretty much guarantee that it is different.