The Design And Implementation Of A Speech, Drama, And Communications Course For Junior High Students
Date of Award
12-1-1985
Document Type
Thesis - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Keywords
Adolescent, Christian Education, Communication, Communication Apprehension, Drama, Dramatic Play, Dramatics, Elementary Education, Fire Arts, Junior High Schools, Junior High Students, Middle Schools, Secondary Education, Self Concert, Self Direction, Self Esteem, Speech Communication, Total Communication, verbal Communication
Abstract
A semester elective fine arts course for junior high students in speech, drama, and communications was designed and implemented by the author for a private Christian day school in a metropolitan Florida city. The school serves 630 students in grades kindergarten-four through nine. The project's goals were to expand the school's fine arts program, to address the personal needs of the adolescent, and to increase the interactions between the school's junior high and primary and elementary students. Following preliminary activities to assess and evaluate present skills, needs, and interests, students proceeded through sequence of activities to achieve objectives in four areas: listening and observing, planning and teaching, writing and directing, and speaking and acting. Based upon evaluations of individual student performances, the program showed significant results in increased oral presentation abilities. Students and staff alike expressed positive opinions about the activities undertaken by students in the class. The course has been approved as an established part of the school's fine arts curriculum. (Appendices include school enrollment statistics, specific course activities, evaluation instruments, and samples of student work.)