"Let’s make theatre and do some good!"
Description of the success story
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Name of the project: "Let’s make theatre and do some good!" Subjects: Estonian, ICT, Music, Citizenship Supervising teacher: Kristina Pikas School: Avinurme Gymnasium |
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Short description of the success story: Children decided to help those children who live in an orphanage. During the whole project children had the initiative - they chose the play and actor; involved partners-entrepreneurs, parents, fellow students and local authorities; learned and performed “Thumbelina”; organised a theatre cafeteria and a gratitude gala; raised money and visited the orphanage; made a field trip to Rakvere Theatre and gained invaluable experience in being enterprising.
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This project taught teamwork, developed tolerance, improved students’ eloquence, helped students to become more outgoing and active. It also taught them to work hard for their goal and to take responsibility.
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Students’ activities – in their citizenship class students realised that there are children in society who do not get all the things we take for granted. This led to a discussion how they could improve these children’s situation. Students started gathering ideas – during one month everyone got to pin their idea on classroom’s whiteboard. Students decided to raise money with a play and at the same time they decided to find out more about theatre and actors job. They chose the play, modified it, asked their parents for help and wrote to the orphanage. Teacher’s role – observer
Students’ activities – lists of candidates were made, judges were chosen. Castings lasted for two weeks and were rather funny. Teacher’s activities - observer
Student’s Activities – students rehearsed in their Estonian language classes. They designed the costumes, programmes, posters, menu for the cafeteria and put it all in action. They were overwhelmed by everything and met even on Sundays. They had to find sponsors and talk to older boys at school who helped out as sound technicians for the play. Parents were made to help with costumes. Teacher’s Activities – observer in rehearsals, helped out when needed and opened the schoolhouse at weekends.
Student’s activities – performed in the play, cooked and baked for cafeteria. They were also running the cafeteria themselves. An accountant was assigned to deal with all the financial matters. Teacher’s activities - helped to co-ordinate the whole event Results – EEK 1281,80 were raised to buy games for Tartu Orphanage Käopesa
Student’s activities – rehearsing, visiting the orphanage, performing their play, delivering their presents. Sound technicians and parents were also involved
Student’s activities – participating in a field trip, meeting with actress Tiina Mälberg, asking questions, getting to know the real theatre and sharing their experience.
Students’ activities – inviting all their helpers to gratitude gala, performing their play for the last time, giving thank you certificates and souvenirs, organising a tea-buffee with the help of their parents, reflecting on the project Teacher’s activities – co-ordinating and observing, helping when needed |
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3. Project’s curricular links 1. Subject: Estonian Implemented knowledge and skills: oral and written communication skills and eloquence were developed during castings and learning the play. Students learnt to write formal letters, speak in public, make reports, interview people and work in teams as well as individually.
2. Subject: ICT Implemented knowledge and skills: typing and designing programmes and thank you certificates. Students learnt to make Power Point presentations. Group work, pair work, brainstorming and presentations were used
3. Subject: Citizenship Implemented knowledge and skills: tolerance, initiative, and co-operation were developed. Students learnt to work with different people. Role plays, pair work, interviews and field trip were used as methods.
4. Subject: Music Implemented knowledge and skills: singing and dancing, musical production of the play.
5. Subject: Crafts and Handwork, Art Implemented knowledge and skills: drawing and designing posters, sewing, using different materials, costumes and stage were designed and made, baking and cooking for the cafeteria
6. Subject: mathematics Implemented knowledge and skills: budget of the play had to be calculated, cafeterias profit and loss account was made, shopping for the play and later for gifts had to be done
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4. Links to real life and the world of work Students chose their own roles in the play and tasks in the project, teacher only helped when asked being mainly the co-ordinator. Students organised rehearsals and involved parents and sponsors. Group work and active teaching methods were used. Students also worked on Sundays bringing their own lunches and discussing future plans. Each student was responsible for his/her own tasks and also helped others. When one of the actors fell ill right before their visit to the orphanage a replacement was found really fast. In the middle of the project there was a set back – several students were ill, some were not very committed – but together students overcame these problems. Their message was – we can do it, we have done so much already. So, let’s do it! Many practical skills were learnt during this project – sewing, cooking, ironing. laying a table, dealing with money, performing in public, interviewing. Several field trips were made to local businesses in order to find partners for the project. During field trip to Rakvere Theatre students got to know many things about actors job and other jobs that exist there. Meeting with the actress gave them chance to share their own experience. Project involved parents who helped to teach songs, sew costumes, organise cafeteria and who also helped out during the play with costumes and make-up.
Children carried out their idea practically – organised the play, raised money and supported the orphanage. They realised that even thought they are young and lack resources they can still do something. Results of the projects were reflected in two stages – while visiting Rakvere Theatre it was discussed whether or not the project was successful, what did it give to each student personally, what went wrong and what can we learn about it. During gratitude gala the whole project was presented by students. Also each student gave written feedback. . |
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5. Partners involved 1. AS E.Strauss Helped to package gifts taken to the orphanage 2. OÜ Puunõu Lent a big wooden barrel used in the play 3. Rakvere Theatre Consultations, field trip, introducing theatre’s everyday life 4. Tartu Orphanage Käopesa Agreed to accept children’s gift and supported their idea 5. Raimond Ilves, Andris Pikas from Avinurme Gymnasium’s forms 10 and 11 Sound production of the play 6. Parents Sewing costumes, teaching songs, participating in different stages of the project
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| Attachment |
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 teeme teatrit.doc |