March+12+-+16

The rubric for grading the performance was based on an accumulation of all that we learned the past six weeks. Students were graded on performing to show they understand the character, the plot, and the language, careful dramatic reading, ability to use language to portray character, well planned movements and well planned props and costumes. The grade was a group grade.

Some groups got a low grade because their scene was poorly done. I believe it is an important that students learn to work in groups. The students who do nothing need to realize that everyone is affected by their effort. I always ask the students to choose their partners wisely. My hope is that in the future students will refuse to work with someone who will not try. On the other hand, I hope fear of this will encourage all students to put in an effort. And actually, no group got an F because one person’s performance was poor. The groups that got an F grade showed lack of practice, confusion as to who is doing what and when, got lost in their scripts, had no props or costumes, which overall showed that they did not know what was happening in the scene or their characters. Research shows that students and adults learn from peers in collaborative environments better than they do alone. Many of us think better in a group than by ourselves. Also, Group work provides important lessons for students that will help them throughout their lives in such things as: And Their chosen **career** where much work is group achieved in many fields such as architecture, engineering, education and many more 1)Pick people to work with who help you succeed. 2) Do your share because everyone is affected by poor effort.
 * School life** because there will be many more group projects in high school and university
 * And Home life, roommate selection, and their eventual partner and children:**

This week we finish our Shakespeare unit watching Midsummer Night’s Dream. We will be looking at the elements of comedy versus tragedy in Shakespeare, and tracing Pyramus and Thisbe in both plays. Shakespeare borrowed from well know cultural stories just like scriptwriters do today. Pyramus and Thisbe was as well-known as Little red Riding Hood or Romeo and Juliet is today. Students will be working with a guest teacher while I am at UM-Helena grading MUSWA Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday we begin a new research paper called I-Search. Students will be researching something they would like to know. There are a number of examples of I-Search papers on-line. Quiz on Friday.