Let's Buggy

Choral Work Choral work was a great experience to see how various elements can enhance and change meaning within a text.

The elements of Choral Work are outlined above. There are also resources that can be used to integrate the drama strategies employed using choral work into Science, particularly Grade 1 in this instance

"In the tall, tall grass" by Denise Fleming is a great tool to engage with as there are opportunities for solo and group reading as well as chanting. The use of Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences in this lesson informed practice by allowing students to use mathematical reasoning to create a musical pattern that they would use with their Boomwhackers through the soundscape of the story. 
 

One group using manipulatives to create a musical pattern to play on their boomwhacker

 Click the link below for a short clip of...

In the Tall, Tall Grass 

        Although this activity is geared towards younger students, I believe that it can easily transition into an older grade. It would be interesting to explore using drums or other percussion to create a tribal chant that can accompany a class novel study on the First Nations people of Canada or to express text features and dynamics within other literature in Grade 5/6. Within my practicum block, my students were reading "Tiger Rising" which had a climactic plot with interpersonal issues and the overall objective to free the tiger. Within this context, creating a soundscape would be quite appropriate for the older students as they are engaged with the material of the book already and would only enhance the storyline. In doing so, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences are being addressed in a subtle way that enables there to be interpersonal collaboration, room for intrapersonal reflection on the impact the music and story had on the student (expressed via written reflection, perhaps), musical, mathematical, logical/spatial, and so on can all be addressed using this strategy. Thus, I believe it is appropriate to adapt into my program to involve my students in the creative process.

Rolling Theatre

       Similarly, rolling theatre was used within this lesson to learn more about the lifecycle of different insects. Each group was given an insect (i.e. ladybug, aphid, caterpillar, etc.) and had to read a script using choral reading strategies (as outlined in the picture above). Since choral reading involves unison, solo and varying patterns, the photo above illustrates the group choosing to be in unison as they read and do actions. Although directly connected to Science, I would argue that this activity is very effective in communicating the ways in which our words, tone and pace can impact the overall meaning of what we are saying - which is a Literacy connection. Since choral work require collaboration and patience, I believe that it is a good strategy to use within the classroom as a way to encourage community building. Respect for one another's ideas and pace at learning to speak in unison or at the same pace can be difficult to achieve and I would suggest outlining these expectations in advance.