Week #1 Aug 18th 2015

On Tuesday, August 18th I met with the Third Grade Team at Oaklawn Elementary!

                    

Lisa Jasper Mayer

Cindy Paulson

Elizabeth Schuster

 We had a great time and got a lot of work accomplished. They really wanted to focus in on History this first semester, which was exciting for me, (and allayed some of my nervousness about this first go-around) as history has been my focus in my work at the Minnesota Historical Society (duh) as well as at the Wilson Place Mansion here in Menomonie.

When we originally met during our three day academy, there were many ideas that were thrown around.  I am glad that my team, like me, although excited about the breadth of ideas, were intent on focusing down to core ideas and really getting specific as to what we were looking to do, and how theater/theatrical techniques could best supplement and compliment their goals.

We narrowed down our 'Big Idea':

Character, Empathy, Identity

We also broke down how our first semester would look.
1. Theater games for the first week or so, introducing the idea of creating a character. Really acting 101. I am excited to get the kids thinking about how they already do this in their day-to-day lives, and also to challenge them to think critically about how they use their powers of observation daily without even thinking about it. (games: power point with pop culture references to "guess the emotion" "Round Robin" character creation, The Mirror Game)

2. We then discussed doing a "History Rock Star" exercise. This is a way for the students to think about character and observation as a way to get to know people/music/style/etc. from the past.  We will pick decades, and have the students research a song/band and lip sync as a group performance for each other. I am thinking 40's or 50's through the 90's. (Age and Lyric appropriateness will be vetted beforehand!). This exercise will be a good next step towards our next project. (And SUPER FUN!!)

Punk Rock!!

Classic Rock!

80's Hair Bands!!

3. After Halloween, when the students begin there American History lessons, we will then begin work on our "Living Timeline" where the students will pick, era by era, a work of art, photo or event that they feel is important to that era,  re-create it (a'la Tableau) and then bring it to life with a short scene.

What are they thinking?? We'll find out!

This is the plan thus far, as well as my working with the students during their read to self time in small groups(we are still discussing what this will look like)

We will see how this changes and morphs - as we know it will- as we move along.

I am just so excited to work with and learn from these wonderful educators!!! As well as to be inspired by the students!!

Addendum: This is a video I just saw from U. W Madison, About students working with Mindfulness, and I loved it. I certainly hope to incorporate some of this into our daily classroom routine!