Grade Levels: 9-12

Subjects:  English Language Arts, Social Studies, Fine Arts

Learner Outcomes:

    The students will

• recognize and  appreciate a Nobel Prize winning author.
• analyze the research to choose an incident from Pearl Buck's life for construction of a frozen moment.
• cast themselves as characters in the frozen moment composition.
• support in writing all choices made in regard to the following:  incidents, character roles, emotional content, costumes, props, background narration, and background music.
• practice and perform a frozen moment.
• record performances with a standard camera, camcorder, or digital camera.
• present pictures for display.

Materials:

• Pearl Buck Question List
• Reference materials
• Frozen Moment  procedures
• Evaluation of Practice
• Practice directions
• Frozen Moment Rubric
• Internet address  Pearl Buck

Technology Tools/Courseware

• Standard camera, camcorder, or digital camera
• VCR or projection device
• Computer with Internet access  (enrichment)

Teacher notes:

• Reserve an open space or stage for production of  frozen moments if possible.
• Collaborate with drama teacher in planning.
• Explain this lesson early in the unit so that students can begin to plan for this activity as they do research.
• Bring or ask students to bring an assortment of props, costume items, and background music.
• Remind students to control noise level as they discuss and plan moments.
• Copy frozen moments directions for each group.
• Reserve camera and VCR or projection device.

1. Students will work cooperatively in small groups of three to five people.
2. Students will select the characters, a time period and an incident from the life of Pearl Buck to plan a frozen moment.
3. The students will support their choices with references to their research in a written description paper.
4. The students will cast themselves as the "characters" in the artwork.
5. The students will make decisions about the use of costumes, props, backgrounds, music, reading and    narration.
6. Characters will practice a hold of at least 5 seconds, retaining body position and facial expressions.
7. The teacher or another responsible student will take a snapshot for a bulletin board display or use a camcorder for creating a video of the projects.
8. If available, a digital camera may be used to provide pictures for projection or for Powerpoint use in a culminating activity.

• Review student IEPs as needed.
• Exceptional students will often find great success in an activity of this type.

• Responsible students may plan a video review of the Orient Express unit, using bulletin board displays, videos of the groups as they work, and/or Powerpoint slides on a projection device.
• Read My Several Worlds, an autobiographical account of Pearl Buck's life.
• A student may present a  first person presentation of  Pearl Buck in costume.
• Visit the Pearl Buck Internet site.
• Invite a presenter of the  Pearl Buck persona.

• Frozen moment practice evaluation
• Frozen moment presentation rubric

• English/Language Arts:  9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 9.8, 9.11, 9.12, 9.19, 9.20,  9.23,  9.24, 9.25, 9.40, 9.41, 9.86, 9.89, 9.91, 10.1, 10.3, 10.8, 10.13, 10.20, 10.23, 10.24, 10.25, 10.30, 10.31, 10.32, 10.39, 10.40, 10.82, 11.1, 11.2, 11.4,  11.19, 11.26, 11.27, 11.29, 11.49, 11.93,  12. 1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.6, 12.19, 12.20, 12.42, 12.43, 12.54, 12.89,

• Social Studies: 9.45, 9.52, 10.64, 11.56,
• Fine Arts: 9.1, 9.5, 9.8, 9.11, 9.12, 9.13, 9.14,  10.1, 10.5, 10.8, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.17,  11.1,11.2,11.3,11.10, 11.11, 11.15, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 12.10,  12.11,12.16, 12.15

Job/Career Cluster: Human Resources

References:

• Improvisations in Creative Drama by Betty Keller

• Improv Game Book I & II A Source Book for Improvisation Performance    Training and Games by Linda D. Belt

• Jan Bagby
• Karen Huffman
• Carolyn Wotring