1. Horace Mann 2a. The Importance of Lesson Plans A rough outline of one's material keeps one focused, and thus able to better use class time. It only makes sense. Yet, before, I sort of ignored them for the most part, considering them a mere formality; I realize now that they can be truly invaluable. b. How to properly design and use a handout. Again, I just kind of ignored them in high school. I see now that a good handout is just like a good lesson plan; it keeps you focused on your activities for the day, and a good handout can let students take fewer notes and thus ideally pay more attention. c. Exactly why large numbers of students are bad. There's nothing you can do about this, but our class really suffered from having too many students. Overcrowding is a problem on all levels, but I never realized why until I saw it in action. Everyone deserves to share their opinion, definitely, but we had so many that class just 3. Mr. Rabb. I really admire how hard he was willing to work for his student. I think I have the sort of compassion and enough caring to be able to do that much for a student who really needs it; if I don't, I hope I can acquire it, because that sort of thing is incredibly worthy of respect. 4.a. Encouraging students to submit personal stories related to the class, especially if they are outside the norm. Actually, encouragement of talking in general. The easiest way to show students diversity is just to get them to be honest about their lives with each other. b. Involve a number of works from various cultures and places. Theatre is hardly a subject limited to a single area. I can show and compare the various idealogies of modern plays to those of ancient Greece to Shakespearean, and so on. c. Go over several acting styles if one does not suit a particular student. There are tons of different acting theories, excluding the one the actor or actress formulates on his/her own. If one doesn't work for a student, it's my responsibility to show them some other options. Every performer is different, after all. 5. ...None, really. As of right now I doubt my ability to truly aid learning disabled students. I can offer compassion, and treat them like people, but as far as helping them cope with their disabilities I'm pretty useless at my current level of training. 6. Standards are in place to give teachers a recommended path of study. Theoretically, standards are also in place to make sure students reach a certain level before they progress in their education. Outside of just the legal standards, however, are the standards the teacher decides to hold his or her students to, which obviously affect their performance. 7. a. Direct Instruction This will be covered in my class simply by me teaching acting methods and literature. With acting a hands-on approach is preferred, naturally, and my direct instruction will reflect this. b. Cooperative Learning When acting one is almost certainly working with other people; thus, group work is almost certainly required in a performance class. Most likely I'll mix up the groups, since an actor has to learn to work with people they don't know or dislike. c. Portfolios A basic introduction to an acting portfolio would be a good idea for my students. They are incredibly important things, and I wish I had been better introduced to them when I was in high school. d. Assessment Almost daily judgements of progress made by the actors. Informal things, compiled into a class participation grade. Of course, bigger performances would recieve actual grades based on effort and quality. Written tests on the terms and techniques would be possible, but I'd like to avoid them if possible. e. Code of Ethics It's pretty hard to cheat when it comes to Theatre, but I have no intention of letting anyone do so. Character analysis could be used to show why ethics are important, or what happens when you ignore them, as well. f. Family-Centered Family members are always encouraged to see performances if possible. Conferences would also be entirely doable and supported. g. Tenure I'd certainly like to get it, eventually, but most likely I'd prefer to move around a bit before I settle down. I don't intend to not take risks just because it might cause me to not get tenure, though. I'm not going to limit my teaching ability for silly things. h. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act I'll do what I can for anyone I teach that has a disability. I can't say much more because I lack training in this area, but I have no intention of discriminating against someone with a disability. i. Curriculum An outline of one's course is always a good thing. Knowing the topics I want to cover and a basic schedule will help tremendously in keeping my class on track and focused. j. Classroom Management I demand some amount of respect from my students. However, though I want to have high standards, I want a more casual atmosphere in my classroom. I'll have to adjust to suit the students I'm given, in the end.