Teacher Process
Although there are only 8 stages, some stages are best if you are facilitating one small group of 5 or 6 students at a time for between 30 and 45 minutes. Therefore, to comfortably achieve this it may take about six weeks as you fit them in around your normal lesson structure. It took me three weeks, but I had assistance from my mentor teacher and a teacher aide.
I hope you and your students enjoy this quest and would appreciate your comments and feedback tremendously. Please find below, in red specific teacher directions for the various stages.
Stage 1:
Teacher: read the page on bullying (Children Youth and Women's Health Service- Bullying) with your class. Stop to ask questions as you go.
Now, facilitate a group discussion and write solutions on the board. Optional: get the students to demonstrate the solutions.
Stage 2:
Role selection
Teacher: Provide strong guided direction here. It is imperative that the learner's skills can support the role they take. It is important that you and the learners agree on the roles by the end of this lesson.
Stage 3:
Teacher: You need to do this section in groups of roles. eg. Take an interviewer from each group and facilitate the activity.
Teacher: Make sure that you are with the reporters to guide and advise in the playground. Write what the group has told you they observed.
Teacher: In terms of the school rules, write about what the learners tell you.
Teacher: In relation to Researcher A, Students should write (or draw pictures of) at least 2 causes and 2 solutions. Look at the web links below ('No Bully' and 'Bullying. No Way!' and read with the group, stopping to discuss frequently.
Teacher: In relation to Researcher B, make sure learners write (or draw pictures of) at least 3 ideas of how to make friends.
Teacher: You may do the activity with writers and directors together.
Teacher: When viewing the video files with the writers and directors, you will need relatively new computers and a quality internet connection. Take the time to check this out before your lesson or you may be embarrassed. If the technology is inadequate, you may need to do this activity in another way like a discussion.
Teacher: It is very important that you offer guided direction to the groups on which groups do the drama, news, ad etc. Pair the writers off and have them talk about their preference and why. You need to finalise who is doing what and preferably each group attempts a different genre.
Stage 4:
Teacher: It is important that you guide the group meetings. It is best if you do one group at a time for closer guidance. At this age, the learners may need some guided direction for story and solution ideas. Important: It is now time to conduct the formative assessment for individuals as they share what they have learned and show their posters etc.
Teacher: When selecting acting roles, it is important that the learner's skills match the role. eg: If they can't speak well, don't give them the newsreader role.
Stage 5:
Teacher: This stage is optional. It is about providing the learners with an opportunity to practice acting. Ideally, do one group at a time as you can guide the process more effectively. You can conduct it as a whole class however and have one group acting while the others observe and comment.
Stage 6:
Teacher: brings copies of the plays for everyone. Again, if you can work with one group it is better. Otherwise, one group can act while others are expected to observe and provide comment.
Teacher: guide the directors to observe for the things listed such as facial expressions, props etc.
Teacher: It is your job to organise the video equipment and someone to do the recording. Also, you will need copies of the scripts. If you can, utilise an older student who is experienced and interested in video recording and editing. (I found this beneficial for all).
Stage 7:
Teacher: Make sure you use a microphone. Year one students have little voices! I have found that if you read the script one sentence at a time, they can copy you. This enables editing to work easily. Don't forget to use the Director to direct the actors as much as possible (it's easy to take over). Some guided direction may be required for the director.
Teacher: You need to ensure that the video is edited to make a tidy finished product.
Stage 8:
Teacher: As an optional activity, ask your Principal if your groups can act their play on the school assembly.
Regards,
Glenn Bruce
Student
Graduate Diploma of Learning & Teaching
Central Queensland University