As part of our unit on the Holocaust, students read "The Diary of Anne Frank." While there is certainly merit in reading all of Anne's original entries, some of the varied learners in my classroom struggle with the repetitive nature of her entries, as well as the visualization of Anne's reality and her interaction with others in the Annex. In the past, I have used the dramatic adaptation of her Diary to bridge these gaps. However, due to the lack of materials in our district, my students ended up reading the play on a .pdf document that was over 60 pages long. Finding their place became tedious, and students felt tied to their screens, instead of acting as the scenes required.
In order to get all they can from this experience, my students need to hold the script in their hands. Instead of an ordinary Reader's Theater experience, students would get a taste of what it is to be an actor. They would get valuable practice with our Speaking and Listening standards, as well as additional knowledge of the vocabulary and elements of drama. Above all, this would help my students become more engaged with Anne Frank's experience, and would lead to a greater understanding and connection with one of the Holocaust's most memorable figures.
About my class
As part of our unit on the Holocaust, students read "The Diary of Anne Frank." While there is certainly merit in reading all of Anne's original entries, some of the varied learners in my classroom struggle with the repetitive nature of her entries, as well as the visualization of Anne's reality and her interaction with others in the Annex. In the past, I have used the dramatic adaptation of her Diary to bridge these gaps. However, due to the lack of materials in our district, my students ended up reading the play on a .pdf document that was over 60 pages long. Finding their place became tedious, and students felt tied to their screens, instead of acting as the scenes required.
In order to get all they can from this experience, my students need to hold the script in their hands. Instead of an ordinary Reader's Theater experience, students would get a taste of what it is to be an actor. They would get valuable practice with our Speaking and Listening standards, as well as additional knowledge of the vocabulary and elements of drama. Above all, this would help my students become more engaged with Anne Frank's experience, and would lead to a greater understanding and connection with one of the Holocaust's most memorable figures.
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