Methods of teaching Drama: Middle School through High School
Course Syllabus

Goals:    Based on goals established by the Theatre program, the goals of this course, for the student, are

1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of theatrical production.
2. To be able to analyze and communicate a dramatic text to an audience.
3. To make effective use of the research tools available to the theatre artist, critic and historian.
4. To develop a commitment to the pursuit of artistic excellence and integrity.
5. To “Love the art in yourself; not yourself in the art.”

Objectives: The students will be able to

1. Further their knowledge of theatre pedagogy for the middle and high school.
2. Demonstrate a mastery of content in the theatrical arts.
3. Create and compile appropriate curriculum and assessment tools for theatre activities and courses in middle school and high school.
4. To identify the State Performance Objectives covered in your curriculum.
5. Analyze and assess the work of colleagues with the goal of self-improvement.

Course Objective Assessment:

Project Descriptions:

Project 1    Development of Unit for Middle School
The student will develop a unit to teach a theatre class at the middle school level. The unit will include: Unit goals and objectives, performance objectives covered, five lesson plans, bibliography or resources to support unit and assessment worksheets relating to the unit.

Project 2    Presentation of Lesson Plan for Middle School
The student will present one lesson plan from unit developed in Project 1 to peers in class. Class will engage in critical assessment of lesson presented as a learning tool. Lesson plans will be shared with other members of the class.

Project3    Development of Unit for High School
The student will develop a unit to teach a theatre class at the high school level. The unit will include: Unit goals and objectives, performance objectives covered, five lesson plans, bibliography or resources to support unit and assessment worksheets relating to the unit.

Project 4    Presentation of Lesson Plan for High School 
The student will present one lesson plan from unit developed in Project 3 to peers in class. Class will engage in critical assessment of lesson presented as a learning tool. Lesson plans will be shared with other members of the class.

Final Project    Curriculum Project
The student will choose a particular grade level for this project. Student will develop a curriculum plan for a semester for the grade chosen. Curriculum should contain an outline of specific units that will be covered in the course, performance objectives covered, a bibliography of textbooks and resources to support the curriculum, and assessment tools. Student will fully develop one lesson plan from the proposed curriculum. Curriculum will be shared with other members of the class.

Exam
There will be one comprehensive final exam covering material and topics covered in class.