Page 48 - BB_Textbook

GRADE 11
“The Present”
https://vimeo.com/152985022
Writing and Performing Reader’s Theater
A Lesson on Dependence, Independence, and Interdependence
Step One. View the Video. It tells a story without words. Take notes of what is going on, what the characters
are thinking, and what the plot is about. Consider the following:
1. Is the teenage boy dependent or interdependent vis-à-vis his mother?
2. Is he dependent or interdependent vis-à-vis the dog?
3. Do the characters become interdependent?
4. What difference does it make?
Step Two. You and two classmates are to work together to supply the words for the video. Call upon your thoughts from the questions above.
Step Three. Write a twelve-line Reader’s Theater with three characters: the boy, his mother, and the present ... a lovely three-legged dog.
Step Four. Choose roles among yourselves. Read your parts aloud.
Step Five. Judge how well you did. Revise your script. Practice your lines. Read your parts again. Put feeling into your theater.
Step Six. The best Reader’s Theater may volunteer to read before the class.
Another Reader’s Theater Performance
In Grade 10, the fable One Grain of Rice introduced a village girl Rani, who stumped the raja with a mathematical ruse. Her goal was to get the raja to live up to his name, abide by the norms expected of a ruler, and recognize that a child ... a villager ... a young girl ... that is, his opposite ... knew how to live as an ethical person.
This storyline is common across many cultures.
Vietnamese folktales speak of Chú Hai Lúa, whose simple questions and wisdom put city people in their place. Similarly, Tranh Đông Hồ woodcut prints depict villagers who outwit the elite. Look at the Đông Hồ woodcut below. You know this Cat & Rat Story, right?
Step One. Square up. In groups of four, write a sixteen- line Reader’s Theater.
1. First brainstorm together. Write down notes of what is going on in the top half of the woodcut print, and then what is going on in the bottom half.
2. Remember POP – personalize (P) it; insert an outstanding (O) twist, tension, or surprise; and say something powerful (P) that will catch the attention of a listening audience.
3. Edit your work. Read it over. Edit it again. Practice your lines.
Step Two. Now read your parts, this time ... with feeling. Be a convincing rat or cat.
Step Three. Again, the best Reader’s Theater may volunteer to read before the class.
Complete the Fable
A similar fable is The King’s Chessboard, which compares the wisdom of a ruler and an old man. It has elements similar to Chú Hai Lúa stories. Read along with the recording of this fable. And answer the questions that follow.
The King’s Chessboard. Adapted from David Birch (New York: Puffin Books, 1993).
One day, a King summoned an old man, who had served him well for many years. The King proclaimed loudly, for he wanted his subjects to respect him, “You have served me well, old man. What do you wish for a reward?”
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