After we have read a novel and had the lit circle dicussing connections, themes, dialogue, irony, etc., as an ending or assessing activity I have the students break into small groups. The are instructed to choose a part of the book that they liked. Then they are to put on a production of the part. This includes characters, dialogue, creating the setting, and learning their parts. When they do their parts they are to not just say the words, but put the feelings behind the words or body language. The students really seem to enjoy this, but at the same time they must really understand the character and what is happening in this part of the story. I have many students who are very artistic and this draws them into the project. They feel success in being a part of the production.
I use a rubric to grade the students, one that they get at the beginning of the project. The see what they must do to obtain the grade they desire. It is amazing to see the productions they can come up with and really get a grasp on the situation at hand. I have in the past video taped the productions. On another day we get popcorn and a drink and watch the production. The kids get to critique themselves. It has in the past been a favorable experience.
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It is amazing how dramatic kids can get. They do love to be on stage. How do you deal with particularly shy students or with the students who are not natural performers? Is there somewhere in the rubric for them to get some credit?
It is fun and exciting to get the students to act out the different scenes in the novels. I also would like to know how you get the shy students to act out some of the scenes. I have observed the few I have doing the "watching" parts in the performance.
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