Middle School Communications
Mrs. Ann Thompson McCarron

 Welcome to the Communications class at SCCS Middle School! This trimester course offers students a wonderful opportunity to express themselves through speech and theatre activities. The students will also participate in the production of our middle school newsletter, The MidKnight Express.
Expectations - I expect the students in this class to  listen respectfully to others. Since we have special equipment (stage lights, microphones, etc.), props, and costumes for our plays, I expect the students to be respectful of these items. This also means not touching equipment unless I have given permission.

Classroom Materials -Each student should have a notebook, folder, and pen or pencil. When we start painting sets, the student should bring some type of cover up to protect his or her uniform.

Course Curriculum -
6^th grade

• Introduction to theatre
• Oral Presentations and storytelling
• Small group production teams prepare: sets, costumes, publicity, and props
• Prepare and present a one-act play to the school
• Introduction to news writing communications
• Write an issue of the Middle School Newsletter

7^th grade

• Expand theatre skills
• Learn persuasion techniques and give a persuasive presentation
• Small group production teams prepare: sets, costumes, publicity, and props
• Prepare and present a longer one-act play to the school
• Learn improvisation, which builds on-stage confidence
• Write an issue of the middle school newsletter
• Learn video production skills
• Basics of video script writing
• Presentation skills for camera
• Basic technical production skills

8^th grade

• Expand theatre skills
• Introduced to one of the world’s most famous playwrights, William Shakespeare. As a part of this introduction, students read out loud an edited version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Small group production teams prepare sets, costumes, publicity, and props
• Eighth Grade students prepare and present an hour-long play to the school
• Learn improvisation, which builds on-stage confidence
• Write an issue of the middle school newsletter