2006-2007 Neighborhood Bridges Residency Program

(formerly the vittum learning partnership)

Chopin elementary school, 5th grade

Inquiry Question:

"How can I use creative writing and performance to explore characterization and human behavior?"

Chopin School and Adventure Stage Chicago partnered to analyze characterization and human behavior in literature. Through theatre and creative writing, Mr. Koppel's 5th grade class explored motivation, personality, and how fictional characters can connect to each other and to real-life situations. The class attended ASC's production of The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker and read scenes from the play to prepare. After seeing the play, the students analyzed the characters' motivations, resulting behaviors, and consequences, and discussed the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues. They also read The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson and applied the same concepts to those characters. Throughout the residency, Mr. Koppel and Ms. Delheimer (their ASC Teaching Artist) facilitated workshops that invited students to explore human characterization and behavior through performance, literature, and writing.

Students then shared scenes that they had adapted from The Family Under the Bridge. These scenes highlight decision-making moments in the novel that address questions like: How do we go about making decisions? How do we know what the "right" or "wrong" choice is? Throughout the presentation, several different students played each character, and each character was represented by a distinctive costume piece.

"Positive Impressions"

“The performance certianly left a positive impression on the students about attending and appreciating live performances! They are also more likely to pursue the reading of plays and novels upon which plays are based. The entire experience was extremely worthwhile, leaving a lasting, motivating impact.”

- Mary Vujic / James Ward Elementary 6th, 7th, 8th Grades