The BVSD Curriculum Essentials Document

Drama & Theatre Arts Essential Questions: How were the Drama & Theater Arts Curriculum Essentials Documents written? What is different with the new Standards & CEDs for Drama & Theater Arts? What does this mean for instruction in BVSD? How is a Drama & Theatre Arts CED organized? What transition resources and professional development opportunities will be provided for teachers? What will we need to consider regarding instructional materials throughout the transition to the new CEDs?

How were the Drama & Theatre Arts Curriculum Essentials Documents written? 2011-2012 Teachers were paid to attend training and write the CEDs 3 hour training sessions + additional independent time to write CEDs Drafts for Drama & Theatre Arts courses were written throughout the summer and during the fall and spring semesters. In the fall, community forums were offered to allow any community member to see drafted documents and provide feedback - Online options for those who could not attend. Teachers and Director continued writing, revising & finalizing CEDs.

What is different within the new Standards & CEDs for Drama & Theatre Arts? Three standards instead of six Balanced emphasis on process & product Structure: Concepts and skills are more clearly defined across grades. There is now a specific learning trajectory of grade level expectations.

3 Drama & Theatre Arts Standards Create: The creation of drama and theatre is a demonstration of learned skills in forming new theatrical works, interpreting theatrical works for performance and design, and developing characters and analyzing roles. Standard 2 Perform: The theatre process is a product of the knowledge and essential skills gained in the study of theatre toward the expression of the human experience in story, movement, speech, and staging for an intended audience. Standard 3 Critically Respond: An informed literacy, ethical judgment, and cultural research are key aspects of theatre arts study. Responding focuses on the artistic and scientific knowledge of conventions, cultures, styles, genres, theories, and technologies needed to know better choices and best practices.

A focus on both process & product Old: Theatre Model Content Standards presented a one-dimensional, performance-based focus New: Drama emphasizes the importance of the creative process by which students learn critical thinking skills, and theatre emphasizes the performance or “product” aspect. Interconnectivity of theatre arts is emphasized. Students are to apply understandings learned through drama & theatre to society, culture, and lifestyle. Integrated use of digital tools for development of theatre works

Structure of the standards Old: Benchmarks of learning at grades 4, 8, and 12 New: Specific Grade Level Expectations identified for Preschool - 8th grade High school expectations are divided into fundamental skills and extended skills Fundamental - theatre instruction for general enrichment Extended – specialized theatre instruction which is more advanced and production-oriented as preparation for college or a career in theatre

What does this mean for instruction in BVSD? Teachers will provide more in-class opportunities for students to….. To use 21st Century technologies to create theatrical works To develop sense of self and team while practicing the creative process for performance, directing, design, construction, choreography, playwriting, and scriptwriting To research, interpret, and appreciate theatrical works , theatre history, dramatic structure, dramatic literature, elements of style, genre, artistic theory, script analysis, and roles of theatre practitioners To express drama and theatre arts skills in a variety of performances, including plays, monologues, improvisation, purposeful movement, scenes, design, technical craftsmanship, media, ensemble works, and public speaking To make informed, critical evaluations of theatrical performance from an audience member and a participant point of view, and develop a framework for making informed theatrical choices

How is a Drama and Theatre Arts CED organized? Please visit the documents at: Literacy Department Website: Curriculum: Draft CEDs pending BOE approval – Drama & Theatre Arts

The Curriculum Essentials Document Course: Play Production CED General State Introduction with Drama & Theatre Arts Introduction (pp.1-12) Pk-12 Vertical Articulation of Standards, Prepared Graduate Competencies, and GLEs (pp. 13-16) Course Overview (p. 17) Grade Level Expectations pages (pp. 18-30) GLE Concepts and Skills Evidence Outcomes Inquiry Questions Relevance and Application Nature of the Discipline Course Glossary of terms (pp.31-33)

What transition resources and professional development will be available for teachers? Documents located on the BVSD Literacy-Drama & Theatre Arts webpage: The Colorado Drama & Theatre Arts Standards The BOE presentation ppt. Investigating websites for Drama & Theatre teachers to subscribe to for networking with others within Colorado & Nation – models of units & lessons using the new standards Professional Development: Spring 2012 District PD ½ day - April 20th School year 2012-13 District PD mornings August 10th and 31st and April 19th Would like to schedule 2 hour long meetings, 2x per semester for Drama & Theatre Arts teachers to meet to review new standards and CEDs, discuss performance assessments and learning activities, and may design similar/common units of study Opportunities for BVD teachers to personally network with other Drama & Theatre Arts teachers in neighboring districts

Needed: Materials for designing and conducting performances