Working above state standards, my Eighth Grade Drama course works with all state Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) for the 9th and 10th grade level. The following units are studied: 1) Shakespeare Review and Scene Research (interdisciplinary work with the Eighth Grade English Course taught by a colleague), 2) Developing and Performing a Shakespeare Scene (primary scripts rotate between “Hamlet,” “Julius Caesar,” and “Merchant of Venice,” 3) One week play creation, 4) Play Production, 5) The One-Act-Play Festival (interdisciplinary work with the Eighth Grade Music and Art Courses taught by by colleagues), 6) Modern Drama: Brecht, Brooke, and Broadway, 7) Character Improvisation on Health Topics (interdisciplinary work with the Eighth Grade P.E./Health course taught by a colleague), and 8) Acting Reflections: Purpose, Product, and Process.
David Orace Kelly 