Weldome to the Theatre, Grade 8's

 Drama 8:  What should Ms. Kosar know about you?  Do. you have stage fright?  How bad is it, if you have it?  Do you have any experience performing?  (even if you are a musician, or an athlete or a dancer, or a public speaker)?  What do you hope to learn in Drama?  You can share whatever else you might want to share that will help me teach you.

Senior Drama:  Actors and Directors: What is the most dramatic thing that ever happened to you?  How could you exaggerate it to make it into a melodrama?

Theatre Production:  The play "I Shot Santa" is set at various Christmases.  How should we decorate the theatre?  (Drawings are good.)

Remembrance Day journal

Senior Drama:  Why do we observe Remembrance Day?  What purpose does it serve? 

Outline for the essay on "The Father"

Paragraph 1:  How will you start?  What is your thesis?

Paragraph 2:  Three pieces of evidence.

Paragraph 3:  What do you conclude from the evidence you have cited?

Welcome to the 305th day of the year!

 Drama 8:  Which of the Aesop's Fables lessons do you need to learn?  Explain why.

Senior Drama:  Hey!  Lots of you "forgot" to do last week's journal!!

This weeks?  What did you contribute to "The Cursed Carnival of Chaos"?  (Actors -- what role did you play?  Directors/Scriptwriters -- what did you contribute to the script?  what ideas did you have about staging? costumes? sound?  light?  what else?  Theatre production -- did you build something?  did you do lighting or sound?  did you think of costumes or how the set would look? what did you do while the show was running?)

How did the show go?  (Provide details.)

English 9:  Look on Teams to see the instructions for the literary essay about "The Father".  It is due on Friday, November 8.  

Journal for Friday, October 18

 Drama 8:  What effect will using the lighting that you have chosen have on your presentation of "The Creation of the World"?  Who do you think is leading your group?  Explain why.  Is anyone holding the group back?  Explain your answer.

Senior Drama:

Theatre Production:  Create a poster that will advertise the "Cursed Carnival of Chaos".

Actors:  Write a short scene featuring you and at least one other actor that you could perform in the hallways to create interest in the "Cursed Carnival of Chaos".

Director/Scriptwriters:  Figure out a rehearsal schedule for the next two weeks that will prepare us for the show.  (You can do this collectively.)

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English 9:  Why is it important to vote?  Do you think they should lower the voting age?  Explain your answer.

Read the following and answer the questions.  Due on Tuesday, October 22.

Updates for October 16

English 9:

 Great poetry presentations, everyone!  Lots of fun.  Please return your poetry books if you have not already.

We will start with Short Stories next.  No reading log today because of the presentations.

Drama 8:  Learn your lines for The Creation of the World.

Senior Drama:  Learn your lines for the "Cursed Carnival of Chaos".  Theatre production folks -- think of what a poster to advertise the show might look like.

Fewer/less -- English 9

 Use "fewer" if you can count the items.   Use "less" when it is an amount of something.

The Narrative Paragraph tells a story.  The first sentence tells the reader what event you will relate.  The three middle sentences tell what happened.  The final sentence can tell us why it is worth telling the story, or why it matters to you, or how the event ended.

Journal for October 11

 English 9:  Prepare your oral presentation of your poetry project for next week.  Your presentation should be no longer than 10 minutes.

Start reading your second book for the future written book report.

Drama 8:

How do you think the world was created?  Could you make a play about it?  Explain how, or explain why not.

Draw a picture of a face that is happy.  Now draw a face that is scared, now sad, now angry.

Senior Drama:

What are your thoughts on the script for the "Cursed Carnival of Chaos"? Try to be specific.  (Learn from September! Do your journals as we go.)

Do you know these poetic terms?

 English 9:

Be able to define: Sonnet, Haiku, Ballad, Ode, Free verse IN YOUR OWNS WORDS.

Be able to give an example of: alliteration, assonance, onomatopeia, metaphor, personification.

English update

 Congrats on a lot of really good oral book reports!  I was very impressed by everyone's efforts and learned about a wide variety of books that are worth dipping into.

I hope you will finish the book you are reading and move on to a second book which will be the subject of your next book report, which will be written.

Written Book Report

Give your book review a catchy title.  (Example -- Take a Trip with Alice to Wonderland!)

Your first paragraph should introduce the reader to the book, including the title and the name of the author.  Tell something interesting about the author.  It could be why they wrote the book.  Maybe tell us how the book was received by the public or by critics.  It could tell us something that made you want to read the book.  It should be something that "hooks" the reader.

Your second paragraph should be about the book itself.  Is the plot rivetting?  Do you identify with the protagonist?  Does the setting seem attractive or exciting?  (If I was writing this about the book I am currently reading, I would talk about how it explores the ancient Greek story of the marriage of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon through Clytemnestra's eyes.)

Your conclusion should explore whether you enjoyed the book and whether you think your reader would enjoy it.  What works in the story?  What doesn't work?

There is no rush to start this report, as it won't be due for a long time!  Just a heads up for what's coming.

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Tomorrow we will review the poetic terms that we went over before.  I will give you another chance to show your knowledge this week.

Most of the week, I'll give you to work on your poetry project.  You will present your projects to the class the following week.  We'll talk about possible presentation ideas tomorrow.

Homework updates

 Senior Drama:  Catch up with journals.  Interim report cards are coming.

Concepts for Hallowe'en performance desperately needed!

Drama 8:  Fairy tale mimes on Monday.  Final performance.  Know your part!  Have music!

English 9:

Poetry project due on October 11.  Familiarize yourself with the poetic terms!

Oral book reports finished on October 7.  

Too Late! Journals for October 4

 Drama 8:

Write a brief (half a page) scene in which you show how your group is working on your fairy tale mime.

Here's an example:

Angela:  Hey, everyone!  Let's practice.

Dawn:  Oh, just calm down, Angela.  Don't be such a nag.

Angela:  It's fun.  Let's do the scene where the mom tells the dad to ditch Hansel and Gretel.

Sara:  Okay!  I'm Gretel.  I can cry.

Angela:  Great.  Eric, can you cry too?

Eric:  I'm not crying.  I never cry.

Angela:  Can you pretend?

Eric:  I'll look sad, but I won't cry.

Donald:  I think the dad is terrible.  He shouldn't ditch his kids.

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Theatre Production:

Make a sketch of how the theatre could look for Hallowe'en.  Use colour!

Directors/Scriptwriters:

You can hand this in as a group, if you like.  Submit at LEAST your first scene for the Hallowe'en play.

Actors:

Which "voice" are you?  What is your character's back story?

Homework updates

 Senior Drama:  Practice "I know you all"

Journals!  Think of ideas for the Hallowe'en show.

Drama 8:  Prepare music for fairy tale mimes.  Journals due on Wednesday.  

English 9:  Oral book reports start on Tuesday.  Finish the book you are reading!

Make sure you hand in the comparison of the two poems -- "The Base Stealer" and "Foul Shot".

Bring your reading logs to class.

Drama Club:  Meeting on Tuesday at lunch in the theatre.  Tell Karl and Mylo when you are NOT available.

Journal for September 27

 Drama 8:  Which fairy tale have you chosen?  Why did you choose it?  How did you decide?  What is your role?  What will you do to make your character believable (what will you do, what sort of expressions will you use, what will you wear, how will you move?) What is the climax of your story?

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Senior Drama:  What did you think of the "Too Late" performances?  Which was your favourite?  Explain why.  How could you improve your own performance and play?

What can we learn from the performances that we can use for our interactive presentation on October 31?

Directors/Scriptwriters:  Use something from each play and pitch your idea.

Getting together!

 Drama 8:  On a scale of 1 - 5, how would you rate yourself working with a group?  Explain why you rate yourself in the way you do.  What qualities do you have that make you a good group member?  In what areas can you improve?  Are you a good leader?  Explain why.

Senior Drama:  How do you create atmosphere on stage?  Think of a variety of ways.  Provide details.

How would you manage to create the following atmospheres:

a) a happy, carnival-like atmosphere

b) a carnival that feels "off"

c) a battlefield

d) a wedding between two people who love the outdoors

e) an alleyway behind a school

First journal of the new (school) year!

 Journal topic:

Drama 8:  What should Ms. Kosar know about you?  Include if you have experience in drama (or not), if you have stage fright, what you hope you learn in Drama.  Make sure you tell Ms. Kosar your pronouns.

Senior Drama:  If you are new to Ms. Kosar's class, answer the above question.

Also . . . Jess walked in the front door.  The house was very cold.  "Hello?" she said softly.  There was no answer.  WHAT HAPPENS NOW?  (Write at least five sentences that tells the rest of the story.)

Journals -- June 14 -- Last journal of the year!!!

 Drama 8:  Which of the Aesop morals should you learn?  Explain your answer.

Drama 9 and Senior Drama:  Explain how you created and played your role play character.  Include anything you wore or props you brought or activities in which you engaged and also describe any interactions you had with other students playing their role.

Journal - June 7

 Drama 8:  How do you think the world was created?  (Give details.) Could you make a play about it?  Explain how, or if not, why you couldn't.

VERY IMPORTANT:  If you would like to request a person to be in your group for the last project, say, "Alice (you) would like to work with Albert (your requested person)."  If you don't care, write that.

Senior Drama:  

Actors:  What is your film scene about?  Who do you play?  Describe your character. What do they want?  What problems are they facing?

Director:  Finish your "something happened" scene by Monday.

Theatre Production:  Write the scenario for your sound and light show.  (Provide a sketch of the set.)

Drama 9:

Write the acceptance speech for the time when you win an Oscar (best actor).  Who will you thank (think of your parents or people who have helped you along the way)?  Describe your journey (how you got to the stage at the Academy Awards).  

TV Times - Journal for May 31

 All classes:

Write a review of "TV Times" (if you didn't see it, you still have one last chance tonight at 7!)

Be sure to include:

A catchy title

A brief description of what the play was about

Your favourite performance (explain why)

Your favourite part (explain why)

Any other comment you want to make (remember, I was involved with the play so don't be mean)

A strong conclusion

If you absolutely cannot attend this evening and didn't get a chance to see it this week, write a review of a tv show you have seen.  (If you have never seen a tv show, you need to watch one.)

If you were in the play, you can still write a review (imagine you were in the audience), or you can write about your experience.

Journal for May 24

 Drama 8:

Which fairy tale has your group chosen?  How did you choose it?  What role or roles are you playing?  How will you create the character through mime?  (Think of costumes, facial expressions, movements.) Who is the leader in the group?  Is anyone hindering the process of the group?  Explain your answers.  What is the climax of the story?  Why do you think so?

Remember to bring $5.00 before the play performance on Thursday of next week (May 30).

Drama 9:

Write the scenario of your "mood" story in your own words.  Who are you playing?  (All the characters should have names.) What does your character want?  What is standing in the character's way?

Senior Drama:

What is a metaphor for your life?  Explain your answer.  How could you turn that metaphor into a play?  (For me, I think I could use the old trope -- "life is a winding and bumpy road" and have a person on a long road trip with beautiful sights and experiences and also a flat tire and a car accident and things like that.  The main character's name would be "Jean" like my first name, because I think "Jean" is a name that could represent anyone.)

Journal for May 10

 Drama 8:

What is your favourite movie?  If you don't have one, give the title of a movie you've seen.  What is it about?  What did you like about the movie?  What is the most memorable scene in the movie?

Remember, you will recite on Monday! 

Drama 9:

For each of the Shakespeare scenes:

Who are you playing?  In three sentences or fewer, what is happening in the scene?  What does your character want?  What obstacles do they face?

Senior Drama:

What are the "rules" of improv?  Try to think of five!

Journal for May 3, 2024

 Drama 8:  How good are you at working in a group?  Give yourself a rating from 1 - 5 with 5 being terrific and 1 being not very good.  Explain why you rate yourself that way.  What are you good at doing in group work?  How could you improve?  Are you a good leader?  Explain why or why not.  Write about a time you worked in a group (it doesn't have to be drama) and what you learned from the experience?

Drama 9:  (write after we see all the heritage drama presentations). Which presentation of heritage stories was your favourite?  Explain why.  Who was the best actor in the presentation?  Explain why.  Which scene was most memorable?  Explain why.

Senior Drama:

Theatre Production:  Draw a sketch of what you would like the set to look like for "A Silent Laugh".

Director:  What is going well in "A Silent Laugh"?  What still needs work?  Describe the ending in detail.

Actors:  Describe your character in "A Silent Laugh" in detail.  What does the character want?  What obstacles do they face?  What is their greatest fear?  What is their fondest memory?

Show and Tell Instructions -- Senior Drama and Drama 9

 Choose an item about which you can tell an interesting story.  It doesn't matter what the item is because this is a public speaking exercise.  If your item is not available to bring to school (a pet, a weapon, a person, something very valuable), you can bring a picture of it -- a photo or a drawing is fine.

Develop a two minute speech inspired by the item.  Your speech should not focus on describing the item -- we can see it.  It should be a story INSPIRED by the item.  When you are practising your speech, say it out loud and time it.  You should speak for two minutes!  Longer is not better.  Shorter means you won't have time to engage your audience.

You will present your speech to the class (the schedule is on the bulletin board in the theatre).  You must speak clearly and project your voice.  You must make eye contact with the audience and speak in an expressive voice to engage their attention.  Your story should follow the plot line, introducing the setting and people involved, telling about how the item impacted you and why you chose it.  End with something like, "this is what I learned from the hike in the woods" or "in conclusion, my grandmother was the most important influence in my life".  It is fine if the story is emotional, but make sure you can get through it without being overwhelmed.  DO NOT START YOUR SPEECH WITH "SO" OR END IT WITH "YEAH".  

First Journal of the LAST TERM OF THE YEAR

 Drama 8:  What should Ms. Kosar know about you?  Include your pronouns (yes, you have them!).  Have you had any experience in Drama before (in elementary school, in an out-of-school program, in a class)?  Do you have stage fright?  (You won't be the only one.) You can share anything you like with me to help me teach you and understand you better!

Senior Drama:  Write a brief scene in which two characters (at least) share a joke.  It should be something you could include in "A Silent Laugh".  Try to make it original!

What are you thinking of talking about for your show and tell speech?  Run it by me!

Drama 9:  What is the most dramatic scene in your heritage presentation?  Explain why.  What is the most shocking scene? Explain why.  What is the saddest scene?  Explain why.  What is the funniest scene?  Explain why.

What are you thinking of talking about for your show and tell speech?  Run it by me!

Journal for April 12

 Senior Drama:  Write an "elevator pitch" (30 seconds to say, so NO MORE THAN 1/2 PAGE) about a concept you have for a commedia scene.  You can describe the plot, characters, social or political commentary, jokes or anything that will inspire Lynette to include your idea in her scenario.  THIS JOURNAL WILL BE HANDED IN TO LYNETTE!

Drama 9:  Create an outline of what you have so far in your heritage performance.  (Include framework, a sentence describing each story, and then a sentence about the stories you haven't presented yet.) You can do this in a group, but please include the names of everyone in the group at the top.

Drama 8:  Which Aesop story moral applies to you?  Explain why.

Journal for April 5

 This journal is for everyone.  It's about subtext (what's going on underneath what you're saying) and emotional memory (a technique actors use to bring real emotion on stage, not just pretense).

For each circumstance, explain how you would feel, what you might want to do and what you actually would do.

1. You invite a friend to your house to play cards.  You have fun and play for several hours.  It is getting late.  The game is over.  You can't help yawing, because you're so sleepy.  Your friend says, "what should we do now?"

2.  You walk into a room you've never been in before (like a classroom, or a meeting room).  You are starting a new class or activity and are supposed to be there. There are a lot of people there and many of them seem to know each other and are laughing and talking.

3.  You are waiting at a bus stop.  A rather menacing person comes and waits as well.  They glance at you a couple of times and then say, "I should have worn a jacket.  It's colder than I thought."  They seem to look pointedly at your jacket.

4.  Alex is your friend.  You have a lot of fun when you hang out.  Maja tells you that Alex has mentioned that you have changed and you aren't as fun as you used to be. 

Commedia del'arte characters

 

Journals for March 8

 A Block (Grade 9) -- which initial heritage story performance is your favourite?  Explain why.  (Have at least 2 reasons.) Tell the story that you have chosen.

B Block (Senior Drama) It is International Women's Day.  Who is a woman you admire?  Explain why.  Would they make a good protagonist in a play?  Explain why.  Make a list -- what do you need to do to prepare for our performance on Tuesday!!!

D Block (Creation of the World):  How do you think the world was created?  Could you make a play about it?  What character are you playing in the Creation of the World?  What is the character like?  What will you wear to give the audience the impression that you are that character?

Journal Day -- March 1

 A Block (Drama 9):  Make sure you hand in your heritage story!  At the end,  make sure you include a person you would like in your group for the big project.

B Block (Senior Drama):  Choose the speech you are going to recite.  Write the speech in your own words (this is called a paraphrase).

D Block  (Drama 8):  Which fairy tale mime was your favourite?  Provide details about why you liked it (you can comment on performances, music, costumes, tableaus, mimes).   Write about your own performance -- what went well?  What could have been improved?

Journal Day -- February 23

 Drama 8

Which fairy tale did your group choose to perform?  Describe your climax tableau and say what the focal point of the tableau is.  Who are you playing in the production?  What will you do to make us believe you are the person?  What do you need to communicate to the audience?

Drama 9

Speak to your family about a story you could share about your family history, something like the stories we saw from past grade 9 classes.  Write the story, keeping in mind the plot line we have discussed -- where does it take place?  when did it happen?  who are the people involved?  why is it important?

Senior Drama

Why do people like romance as a genre?  (Maybe you do or you don't, but it is a popular genre.) Why is it so difficult to pull off a romantic story?  What is a "meet cute"?  (you can look it up but try to write your definition in your own words.)  Describe a "meet cute" that you could incorporate if you were asked to write a "rom/com".

Valentine's Day journals

 Drama 8:  How are you at working with a group?  On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being excellent and 1 being not very good, give yourself a rating and explain why you give yourself that rating.  Are you a good leader?  Explain why or why not.  Tell about a time when you worked in a group (it doesn't have to be in Drama) and explain what you learned about group work from the experience.

Drama 9:  Connie has never received a Valentine from anyone.  She wonders what it would feel like.  Write a short (fewer than ten sentences) monologue from Connie's point of view.

Senior Drama:

Director:  Choose actors to play the different roles in "The Short and Pretty Tragic Story of Romeo and Juliet".  Jenny is not available because she'll be working in the booth.  One person will have to play two roles -- obviously Romeo and Juliet cannot do this.

Theatre Production:  How do you envision the costumes for the play?  (Sketches are helpful -- you don't need to draw everyone, but a couple would be nice to give an idea.) Colour really helps.

Actors:  Who would you like to play in "The Short and Pretty Tragic Story of Romeo and Juliet"?  Explain why.

Welcome to the Theatre!

 All:  What should I know about you?  What are your pronouns?  What has the groundhog predicted?  

Drama 8:  Have you ever done Drama before?  Explain what you've done, if you have experience.  Do you have stage fright?  Do you do any activities in which you are expected to perform?  If so, how does that sort of performing make you feel?  If you don't, what is your favourite hobby?

Drama 9:  Why did you sign up for Drama?  Do you know anything about Valentine's Day?  Briefly, tell what you know.  What is your experience with Valentine's Day?  Write a brief (fewer than five sentences) plot line involving Valentine's Day.  Try to incorporate your own experience.

Senior Drama:

Write a brief scene (a page or less) exploring the following situation:  Tilly really likes Zoff.  Tilly wants Zoff to pay attention to Tilly.  Tilly decides to use Valentine's Day to interest Zoff.  Tilly sticks a Valentine that is signed "your secret admirer" on Zoff's locker.   Zoff's friend, Sloane, sees Tilly putting the Valentine there.

Last day of semester one!

 You need to hand in everything by Thursday, February 1 in the morning!

All drama classes: Journals!!

Senior Drama:  Film journals, as well as regular individual journals.  Footage from your film.

Theatre Production:  Your transformed prop

English:  questions on Theories of Relativity

Senior Drama: 

Wednesday PLT

Recite "Gallop"

1st session:

Alonso

2nd session:

Nikki

Nicole

Lakshya

Henry

Poppy

Sound and Light shows:

Poppy/Henry/Leo

Liz

Lakshya

Thursday PLT

"Gallop" Reciting

2nd session: 

Jason

Justin

Vivian

Ryan N.

Aurora

  

Snow Days!

 Wow!  I never imagined that we wouldn't have school today!  Two snow days in a row?  It's unheard of!

Our plans for the last two days will have to switch!

B Block -- English 9

You should continue to read Theories of Relativity and work on the questions.  We will try to have the Romeo and Juliet quiz on Monday.

A and C Blocks -- Drama 8

Learn your lines for Aesop. 

D Block -- Senior Drama -- We will be at school on Friday (I'm nearly positive, but I've been wrong before . . . ) so I think we should go ahead with Friday as Ms. Buffalu's day and then Monday as Mrs. Xerxes.  I will try to email you guys about this.

Learn "gallop apace"!  This is a chance for you to show what you can do by yourselves and not subject to a group that doesn't bend to your will.  We will be reciting next week, in class AND in PLT.

Film makers -- I would like to see what you filmed and if you haven't finished editing, I do have some leeway about when your marks HAVE to be in, so hopefully you have something to show.

Theatre production -- You need a clear plan for your sound and light show.

Quiz on Romeo and Juliet

We will be having a quiz tomorrow (Wednesday, January 17) on Romeo and Juliet.  Make sure to bring your book, as you will be able to use it during the quiz.  Make sure you understand the story and have an opinion about who causes all the problems in the play.  You will need to describe one character in detail and you should be able to give Juliet advice about what she should do.

 

So close to the end of the semester!

 English 9 -- Romeo and Juliet questions (with your partner)

Act 3, scene 2 -- Juliet goes through a lot of emotional changes in this scene.  Trace through her emotional upheaval (naming the different emotions she feels) and say what makes her feel so many different things.  (She starts out happy and anticipating Romeo's arrival with excitement and joy -- they have just been married!  Then, the nurse arrives with terrible news. . . .)

Act 3, scene 3 -- How does Romeo deal with being banished?  How does Friar Laurence advise him?

Act 3, scene 4 through Act 4, scene 1 -- Why does Capulet change his mind about Juliet's marriage to Paris?  In Act 3, scene 5 the nurse says, "I think it best you married with the County" (Paris is the "county").  Why is this a problem?

Act 5 -- Who or what is to blame for all the problems in the play?

Theories of Relativity:  Make a different book cover for the book.  A book cover is supposed to give a reader a sense of what the book will be like and also encourage a shopper to buy the book.  Think about these two things when you are designing your book cover.

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Drama -- finish your journals!

Drama 8 -- How did the Creation play go (think of what went well and what could have been better)?  What did you do to contribute?   Who performed the best in the class?

With whom would you like to work in the final big project?

Theatre Production:  What will your sound and light show be about?  Explain in detail.

Directors:  Write a detailed description of a character Ms. Kosar can play in the extended role play.  The character's name should start with "J".

Actors:  Who are you playing in "The Maltese Falcon"?  Describe the character.  Choose one line and describe how you will deliver it.