Friday, June 23, 2006

Writing the curriculum is more time-consuming than I expected.  It is one thing to have an activity idea in my head, and it is a whole other thing to write it down.  I also realize that these will be first drafts of the curriculum.  It would be great to begin to layer each lesson—with a new focus each time.  I would like to go through them again looking at specific ways to bring the process drama elements to the forefront.  I would also like to look at each lessons for more ways to interrogate the key aspects of media education.  For now, though, it is important that I get a structure written.  I have written 6 of the 12 lessons.  As it gets further along, it is much harder to predict the details of the class—since I have no idea right now what the kids will bring into the process.  I write them knowing they will morph as the class happens.  It does give me more of a focus than I’m used to, though.  I don’t think I’ve ever developed a full curriculum before teaching any of it, and it’s a good experience for me.  It’s time-consuming, though. 

I wrote up the first six lessons using many games and activities I’ve done before with my drama students.  I use what I know works, and then I try to make it fit the media education curriculum and the process drama.  I would like to add another layer to it—comprised of new/different activities that might be better suited for the class—or just bring a fresh element in, so it’s not too predictable.  Right now, I just want to finish a basic draft of all 12 and then worry about it.