Communication Skills—6^th Grade Minors

Division:  Middle School

Department: Fine and Performing Arts:  Theater

Course Title/Code:  Communication Skills  ARTTAEXP 

(6^th grade, 1 trimester/ 2 days per week) 

Course Description:  This course seeks to build upon and fortify the tools of communication that each student inherently possesses. Emphasis is placed upon connecting breath to body and voice, relaxation, and ultimately, performance. Units include public speaking, vocal production, and an introduction to acting. 

Goals

This course will help students to determine and build upon the communication skills they inherently possess.  Students will work to connect breath to body and voice while gaining insight into who they are and what they have to offer.  Students will assess strengths and weaknesses and determine positive and negative character traits, as well as the impact such traits have on communication.  Students will also develop a basic theater vocabulary. 

Skills

• Investigate the process of communication
• Explore the skills needed to be a good communicator
• Build self-esteem and confidence through both informal and formal presentations
• Fortify the use and understanding of our physical and vocal instruments
• Determine the importance of ensemble and collaboration in the theater
• Develop a respect for theater as an art form and for the theater artist as well

Activities/Content

• The Basic Elements of Ensemble: students develop improvisational skills as they explore the elements of Respect, Trust, Commitment, and Discipline.
• Know Thyself: students complete a series of inventories designed to determine their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, etc.  Emphasis is placed on intrapersonal communication as students create and share self-concept portraits.
• Introductory Speech: students experience interpersonal communication as they share introductory speeches with the class.  Content is based on selected information from character trait inventories.  Students organize their thoughts and information through outlining, creating note cards, etc.
• Theater is…: skills learned through prior activities are applied to the world of theater.  Students develop a vocabulary, an understanding of performance spaces, and explore the actor’s instrument.

Assessment

• Students are evaluated weekly based on their in-class participation, preparation, and commitment to the ensemble ethic.
• Student presentations are graded using a number of criteria: peer evaluations, self-evaluations, and assignment-specific rubrics.
• Other assessment methods include: objective tests and quizzes, message board postings and other written assignments.

Resources: printed, internet & intranet sites, computer programs