Syllabus

Welcome to
Theatre Arts

Mrs. Rachel Meggs
Room 7.104
Phone: 770-923-4131
E-mail: Rachel_meggs@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://sweetwatermstheatre.blogspot.com/
            I am very excited to have you in my class!  I feel that our time will not only be fun, but also a very rewarding experience.  Theatre is a part of our lives in more ways than we think.  From this class, I feel we will be able to engage our wonderful imaginations and create a learning community where everyone is able to learn from not only the teacher, but from one another.

Materials needed
1.     Pen/Pencil (just don’t get any crazy colors like hot pink).
2.     Composition notebook for journaling
3.     Positive attitude

Grades and Assessments
*Final grades follow the GCPS grading scale: A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-74, D=73-70, U=69-0
**Performance skills are purely based on the amount of effort you put forth, during activities and whether or not you are following the guidelines of the assignment/rubric.  You are not graded on previous experience or talent, it’s about trying!

6th Grade Major Assessments: 60% of final grade
·      Performance Projects, 1 Written test, 1 Audience Assessment Grade
o   Rehearse as a group to bring a poem to life in a performance.
o   Adapt a fairy tale story into an ensemble performance.
o   Build on theatre vocabulary in a written assessment.
o   Design, build, and puppeteer a puppet.
o   Rehearse as a group to create an original puppet show.
o   Perform an original puppet show with created puppets.
o   Perform appropriate audience behavior for all presentations.

7th Grade Major Assessments: 60% of final grade
·      Performance Projects, 1 Written test, 1 Audience Assessment Grade
o   Rehearse as an ensemble to bring a poem to life in a performance.
o   Collaborate with partners to create and perform a scripted scene.
o   Develop a character through study and imitation for a solo impersonation performance.
o   Discover the various parts of a stage, the jobs within the theatre industry, and necessary vocabulary for a written assessment.
o   Collaborate as a group to adapt a myth, fable, or tall tale into an ensemble play production.
o   Perform as an actor, director, or set/tech (10% of grade).
·         Perform appropriate audience behavior for all presentations.

8th Grade Major Assessments: 60 % of final grade
·      Performance Projects, 1 Written test, 1 Audience Assessment Grade
o   Rehearse to bring a short story to life.
o   Rehearse to create an original devised work.
o   Memorize, understand, rehearse & perform a sonnet/monologue/poem (solo performance).
o   Display theatre history in a written test.
o   Collaborate as a group to rehearse a section from Romeo and Juliet.
·         Perform section of Romeo and Juliet as final group acting performance (10% of final grade).
·         Perform appropriate audience behavior for all presentations.

All Classes (Minor Assessments): 18% of final grade
·      Daily 5 minute Warm-up-This is our daily writing warm-up that will be taken up bi-weekly for a grade.
·         Journals-3 journals will be written and handed in for a grade.

All Classes (Class Work Assessments):  20% of final grade
·      Daily grades
o   Activities include: daily physical and vocal warm-up, “games”, improvisation, movement, vocalization, book work, and work as a group ensemble member.

All Classes Post Test (SPG’s): 2% of final grade
·      Final exam at the end of the 9 weeks mandated by Gwinnett County.

Tutoring:
Tutoring will be offered Wednesday mornings 8:30 AM-9:00 AM and Wednesday after school 4:15-4:45 PM.

Make Up Work:
If you know you are going to miss a day of school, tell me ahead of time so I can either get work to you.  This makes things easier on you and me.
Make up work will be posted on the blog or if you do not have a computer, tell me within the first week of school.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PICK UP ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND TURN THEM IN!!  You will have 3 school days to turn in missed work or it is a 0.
If you are absent on the day of a performance, you must perform the DAY YOU RETURN!  NO EXCUSES!
Rules
1.      Be respectful- We are a community of learners.  That means that you can and should try to help others in the classroom.  Make a mistake!  No one should or will make you feel less for trying.
  1. Be prepared- Have all your pencil and notebook.  Always be on time!
  2. Follow all school rules
  3. Be positive- Please don’t be a Bitter Betty.  If you are having issues, you can always let me know. SMILE!
Consequences:
If you choose not to make good decisions, here are the consequences:
1st offense: Verbal warning
2nd offense: Name on board and individual/teacher one-on-one conversation
3rd offense: Teacher detention with parent contact (60 minutes)
*If you bring back the detention notice signed, it is 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes.
4th offense: “Student Exchange Program”, contact parents, parent/ teacher conference.
5th offense: Administrative referral
            *If you do not serve detention, it is an automatic administrative referral.



We (my student and I) have read and understand the rules and procedures set for Mrs. Meggs’s class.  We agree to comply with all conditions and procedures as stated within this syllabus and the Student Handbook.  We also understand if we have any questions at any time, we can contact Mrs. Rachel Meggs by phone (770-923-4131) or by email (Rachel_Meggs@gwinnett.k12.ga.us).

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Student’s Printed name

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Student’s Signature


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Parent/guardian signature and date