Drama Club - 5/21/08

I'm in the home stretch. There's is only one week left before the school year ends for me. I spent today working on the final scene for the Spring show. It's a very simple little piece. They march in from opposite ends of the stage, shake hands with the other "team" and then one student gives a quick little speech that's at the end of the play. Despite the same deal that I always make with them, this still was a long process. I told them that if we got through it quickly, then we could play games for the rest of the time. Oh well. Also, the new policy change has made my life significantly easier. My site coordinator has given the green light on sending kids out of the class that aren't able to behave. So my typical problem kids are taken out of the room completely. I, of course, want to use it sparingly, but I'm more than willing to use it. Then there's this student Javelina. The good thing about her is that she actually has shown an inkling of interest in Drama. The bad news is that she's a diva. So on the one hand, I want her to be involved. On the other hand, she's very very difficult to work with. But I've found a solution. Whenever she starts becoming more and more of a diva, I simply ask this question of everyone in the room, "Would anyone else like to read this speech?" Of course, everyone raises their hands and she quickly realizes that she is not above reproach. Which I think is the best life lesson of all.