Description
Each selects a classmate’s name out of a hat, and I keep track on my own list of who has whom. I suggest they keep it a secret, but you know how that can go! They have several days to write a one minute speech nominating that person for Best Actor. I post programs from the shows we have done that year, and they look through the classroom photo albums.
Materials
Full Lesson Plan
I teach Drama full-time at Brookhurst Junior High School in Anaheim, California. This is an end-of-year lesson I use with my Advanced Drama class of 8th grade students who have been with me for two years.
Each selects a classmate’s name out of a hat, and I keep track on my own list of who has whom. I suggest they keep it a secret, but you know how that can go! They have several days to write a one minute speech nominating that person for Best Actor. I post programs from the shows we have done that year, and they look through the classroom photo albums.
The speech must include mention of three performances as well as a personal observation about the nominee. I came up with this rubric because in the past, students would get up and talk about what pretty eyes someone has, or how they are a good friend, never mentioning anything about what was done in Drama!
The nominated actor then comes up, accepts a small Oscar statuette, and makes an acceptance speech. It can be as simple as “thank you”, while others have come prepared with written notes.
The whole presentation is a great reminder and celebration of what we have accomplished over the past two years. And often there are a few tears as students who are not as strong on stage are recognized for other strengths. This year one young actor said in his acceptance speech “no one has ever said anything that nice about me before.”
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE CONTENT STANDARDS – GRADE 8
1.0 Artistic Perception
Use the vocabulary of the theatre
2.0 Creative Expression
Creating, Performing, and Participating in Theatre
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ARTS CONTENT STANDARDS – GRADE 8
Writing – 1.0 Writing Strategies
Students write clear, coherent, and focused essays. The writing exhibits students' awareness of audience and purpose. Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions.
Listening and Speaking - 1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies
Students deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience.
Listening and Speaking - 2.0 Speaking Applications
Students deliver well-organized formal presentations.
Sounds great for 8th graders
Sounds great for 8th graders who nee3d a little help realzing a world greater than themselves!