In class # 2, we looked at the elements of choral work. This technique allows students to learn and experiment with different ways to use their voice to interpret at text. Students work in groups to read a text or speak a part using the number of voices, pitch, dynamics, rhythm and rhyme to make a speaking part more interesting and representative of their interpretation of the text. What a great way to get kids using their voices, and an excellent way to make kids feel comfortable in the class! For students that are more comfortable, they could be given a “solo” part. For those that are less comfortable speaking on their own, or even reading on their own, speaking in small groups, or large groups in unison is beneficial.
Choral work builds on what was accomplished and learned in tableau, moving from using our bodies in different ways to incorporate our voices. This technique teaches kids that they can use their voice to accomplish different goals (i.e. using a low voice to make a script sound dark, or a high pitched voice to make it sound delightful).
From choral work, students will benefit from the creativity of their peers by working together and incorporating ideas to make the text as interesting and representative of meaning as possible. Through choral work, students learn to establish the time and place (setting) and the focus and emphasis (theme) of a scene, and they can learn to create tension, as is emphasized in The Art Curriculum elements of drama.
Choral work builds on what was accomplished and learned in tableau, moving from using our bodies in different ways to incorporate our voices. This technique teaches kids that they can use their voice to accomplish different goals (i.e. using a low voice to make a script sound dark, or a high pitched voice to make it sound delightful).
From choral work, students will benefit from the creativity of their peers by working together and incorporating ideas to make the text as interesting and representative of meaning as possible. Through choral work, students learn to establish the time and place (setting) and the focus and emphasis (theme) of a scene, and they can learn to create tension, as is emphasized in The Art Curriculum elements of drama.
ELEMENTS of CHORAL WORK
Other ways to use choral work:
This task is not only great for developing the drama skills of conveying meaning, but it is also a great way to incorporate language. This is a rich shared reading technique, and can help students who struggle with reading in various ways, from word recognition, to reading with expression. Reading aloud with peers gives children the chance to learn from each other and help each other grow.
Age differentiation: For younger children, this would work well to practice reading a story that would be enriched with different elements of choral work, as children speak in unison. For older students, this could be used in a more complex way, having students speak the same lines, or different lines at the same time, to create elements of chaos, or excitement in a scene.
This task is not only great for developing the drama skills of conveying meaning, but it is also a great way to incorporate language. This is a rich shared reading technique, and can help students who struggle with reading in various ways, from word recognition, to reading with expression. Reading aloud with peers gives children the chance to learn from each other and help each other grow.
Age differentiation: For younger children, this would work well to practice reading a story that would be enriched with different elements of choral work, as children speak in unison. For older students, this could be used in a more complex way, having students speak the same lines, or different lines at the same time, to create elements of chaos, or excitement in a scene.