Working on the assessment piece for the Identity and Acceptance unit. There are four main concepts involved, Identity, Acceptance, Tolerance, and Rejection.
Thanks to the help of a colleague, I was able to hatch an idea for final assessment that isn't campy or inappropriate. The last thing I want to start out my semester with is dragging a bunch of junior boys through an emotional ditch with something like "describe a time when you were rejected" or "merely tolerated".
I've invented a new style of theater for this: Théâtre du Remonter. Rewind Theater.
The kids will be asked to write a skit that branches off into three different directions at the same point. They will act out the given scenario (A new neighbor moving in and introducing him or herself) and the freezepoint comes when they explain a bit more about who they are.
Hello my name is John Smith, and I'm a ____________.
the kids will have to fill in the blank with three different identities that provoke each reaction: acceptance, tolerance, and rejection. They will play each reaction all the way through, then "rewind", then re-enact again with a different identity.
For example:
Hello my name is John Smith and I'm a gardener.
I'm a muslim.
I'm recently released from prison.
I'm actually a woman.
I'm pagan.
I'm a trumpet player who plays only between the hours of two am and five am.
Whatever they decide... and where-ever they take it, they will have to demonstrate their understanding of the role identity plays in society, what happens when people are "tolerated", "rejected", and why these things happen.
Part of their score will be based upon the class figuring out who is which reaction.
I have a lot more work to do, I have to go back over all the validity of the assessment, especialyl in light of my essential questions.
The moral of my story today: teamwork helps. Brainstorming with that other teacher really led me away from emotional wreckage towards an application of their understanding in a safe and appropriate way.
Wish me luck.
