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iStory: Wild Things!
Description:
Increase your students' literacy using readers theatre. Students will perform a readers theatre version of "Where the Wild Things Are" while you videorecord it. In art and computer class, students will illustrate/paint scenes from the story. With the help of the technology teacher, compile the video and artwork using iMovie. The final product is an iStory. (Note: you can use any Readers Theatre script or adapt a story of your choice into a readers theatre script.) This lesson could be adapted to most grade levels with different literature selections. For older students, you may wish to divide the class into groups and have them rehearse, record, and edit their own iStory, especially if this is done in collaboration with the technology teacher.
Goals & Objectives:
- Increase literacy levels. - Foster an appreciation of literature. - Develop effective communication and performing skills.
Materials & Sources:
- Readers theatre script of "Where the Wild Things Are" - Video-recorder, and if possible, an assistant to record while you signal students to use emphasis, increase loudness, etc. - Art supplies for painting the relatedscenes for the story. - Access to computer lab for computer-generated art. - Music stands and stools for performing the readers theatre (optional) - Appropriate costumes and props- only the minimum required.
Procedures:

1. Read "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. Discuss the story and its appeal. Why is the story just as popular today as it was when it was first published? Share stories of when you were sent to your room. What did you do?

 

2. Preview the readers theatre script and re-organize the readers according to the number of students in your class. Ensure that each child has a role. You may need to double-up roles with smaller classes.

 

3. Introduce readers theatre to your class. There are many excellent web sites that offer tips and free scripts (See credits).

 

4. Begin reading through the script with your class. It is helpful to have the students use a highlighter pen to highlight their character name each time it appears on the script. Encourage students not to highlight all their lines as it makes the script too busy and difficult to follow.

 

5. Practice the script for several classes for students to feel comfortable with the lines. Provide basic costume pieces or props for students. Encourage students to speak their lines with enthusiasm and expression. Encourage simple movements and actions. Drama warm-up activities on voice and movement would help with this.

 

6. Begin recording them once they are comfortable.

 

7. Coordinate with the art and computer teachers so that the students can paint illustrations to go with the story. Divide the story into scenes according to the number of students you have. Allow that each child paints at least one scene.

 

8.With the help of your technology teacher, capture the recording into iMovie on your Macintosh (or similar program). Also scan the art work or take pictures of the art to be scanned and saved in the iMovie program.

 

9. Edit the movie and make titles, sound effects, credits as needed. Depending on age and ability levels, you may wish to include your students in this process.

Assessment:
Observation and critique.
Sources:
1. Apple for Educators CD-Rom given out as sample project ideas at Technology conference for teachers. (The CD shares work of other students and schools using Apple products) Terry Donohue shared this CD with me, which gave me the idea for my project. 2. Script for "Where the Wild Things Are": http://web.mala.bc.ca/ education/Courses/EDPB501/Wild_Things.htm 3. Readers Theatre Tips and Scripts: www.aaronshep.com www.readinglady.com www.loiswalker.com www.storycart.com www.lisablau.com
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Presented By: Rita Moltzan
Website by Data Momentum, Inc.