Basic Drama
Projects
Reviewer's Guide
OVERVIEW
What is Basic Drama Projects?
Basic Drama Projects is a comprehensive, project-based theatre instruction program.
Each chapter uses step-by-step projects to build students' confidence and competence in areas ranging from theatre basics and elements of acting to technical theatre, producing/directing, and various types of theatre.
Program Organization
On Your Feet activities get students warmed up.
Theatre Then and Now focuses on theatre history and connects it to current times.
Master of the Craft highlights significant leaders in theatre making theatre relevant to today.
Students explore and discuss the dynamic role and impact of theatre in society as well as the dynamic changes in film, television, and electronic media resulting from digital technology.
A speaking project in every chapter ensures student engagement.
STANDARDS
How does Basic Drama Projects address the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS)?
At the core of Basic Drama Projects is an adherence to the National Core Arts Standards.
Within the coursework of this program, students focus on creating, performing, responding, and connecting.
ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION
Where do students analyze and interpret works for presentation?
Critique questions at the end of each chapter give students an opportunity to think about how they evaluate works.
Students are expected to analyze and assess works by connecting them to art forms, history, culture, and other disciplines while using supporting evidence and criteria.
Students discuss and evaluate theatre elements and how these unique choices shape believable and sustainable works.
Understanding how a director, or other theatre role, applies personal style to form unique choices for a work is part of the objectives students study.
REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS
How do students connect the content of the course to their lives outside the classroom?
Career Focus appears throughout the text and gives students insight into the various roles available in theatre.
Cultural Heritage makes connections between the course content and relevant topics outside the classroom.
Spotlight on brings an element of theatre into sharper focus, like analyzing the impact live theatre has on our daily lives and society as a whole.
FOCUS ON LANGUAGE ARTS
How does Basic Drama Projects incorporate reading, writing, and communication?
The Language of Theatre calls upon students to practice and apply language arts skills within the context of the theatre activities in the chapter.
Discussion Questions in the annotated teacher's edition bring together reading and thinking strategies with listening and speaking activities to create an engaged class of students.
Students are expected to write as well as act. Theatre Journal activities get students putting their pen to paper.
Point-of-use teaching supports use-in-the-moment opportunities to enhance language arts skills.
LEARNING PROGRESSIONS
How does Basic Drama Projects support purposeful learning progressions for various developmental stages?
Every lesson moves students through the steps of Preview, Prepare, Present, Critique, and Extend.
Preview sets the stage of the skill or element of the drama lesson.
Prepare—Once the foundation is set, students dig in deeper to the lesson and practice the concept.
Present—Get students on their feet and applying the concept.
Critique—Students evaluate their and their peers' performances with a considerate approach to keep the classroom friendly.
Extend—Additional Projects—The chapter culminates in extension activities, giving students choice and voice.
SCAFFOLDING INSTRUCTION
How does Basic Drama Projects scaffold instruction for all learners?
Scaffolding for the needs of students can help motivate them to succeed. No two learners are the same. As a result, teachers need supportive resources and suggestions to help all learners become independent.
Chapter Project Specs include scaffolding supports for different learner profiles.
Side margin teaching supports help with in-the-moment scaffolding supports.
Visual Cue features help make content accessible for visual learners.
VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES
How does Basic Drama Projects include various cultural and linguistic perspectives?
Students explore foundations of theatre from the perspectives of other cultures.
Cultural Heritage pages are integrated throughout the text and focus on influencers of drama from different corners of the globe.
Students will explore and appreciate the cultural heritage of world drama and theatre.
Students will read about key trends in dramatic literature—from the earliest connections with religious rituals in early peoples and in Egyptian and Hebrew theatre to the drama and theatre of Classical Greece, Rome, India, China, and Japan.
ASSESSMENT
How do I assess students in Basic Drama Projects?
Assessment resources are included in Basic Drama Projects.
From informal to formal assessment options, teachers will have the resources needed to easily measure student understanding and skill proficiency.
Informal Assessments
Reflection—At the end of a chapter or unit, students will be asked to self-assess their preparedness for the activities.
Formal Assessments
Chapter Tests—Check student understand of the concepts taught in the chapter through objective, short, and long answer questions.
Unit Tests—Get a summative measurement of student understanding, retention, and application of theatre concepts from the chapter once completed.