Acting+Up+(2)

Name:Leah Rudolf Acting Up! Description: This is an opportunity to recreate historic moments, people or places through drama. Students can recreate history through monologues, dialogues, scenes, characterizations and so forth. A brief narrative can be written to set up the scene. Students may use props and costumes to help portray to historical moment. Students may work individually or together to discuss and plan out their historical moment.

Strengths: This strategy is good for students who are involved in or enjoy drama. Students may practice their different drama skills and techniques (body language, improvising, voice projection, ect.) while they portray an even in history. This allows them to practice their skills and gain knowledge in history. Acting can be a good outlet for students to show their knowledge on an event besides simply reading and writing about the event.

Limitations: Some students many not feel comfortable acting in front of other students if they are not normally involved in drama activities. Since they will be short skits created quickly some students may feel rushed. Students may not have all the props and materials they would ideally use and therefore not be as confident as they would be if they had time to prepare and gather props and materials. Not all students will be involved in the acting which could lead some students not participating at all. Example Problem: Students will be split into small groups. Each group will be assigned one of the following tasks: · Monologue as John Brown (p.213) · Dialogue between Lincoln and Douglas (p.211) · Set the scene of the Mexican War (p.188) · Characterization of Stephen Douglas (p.205) Each group will work together to talk through the historical moment/person/place. They will plan what to say, who will be acting and what props will be used (if props are available). Even though all members may not be acting all are expected to participate. Groups will then share with the rest of the class.