6). Relating to my Major.

When I sit and think about my journey of learning about Theater, I notice that it has some interesting similarities about learning to be a Deaf Educator. I learn new things every day. When I took this class I expected to get more incite on what makes theater possible; what is the history behind theater? What do I need to know about theater. Learning to teach is like that too. I have to learn the history of sign-language. I learned that It evolves all the time like languages. It came from French signs. It actually wasn't adopted into American sign until the late 20th century. There were school signs that children would do to make fun of teachers, but nothing taught in actual sign. ASL has different dialects in parts of America just like there is a difference because saying; pop, soda, soda-pop, or soft drinks in different parts of America. It is interesting learning about the history of things. It helps people better understand why things have changed or haven't. Or why theater or sign came to be this way.
Not only is learning theater similar to learning sign language, it has different aspects that make it unique. Scripts are important in theater. Sign-language has a a foundation to follow. We abide by these guidelines to deliver a message just like actors in a play. Facial expression is key to relay a message. Drama's have to be a little over done so you understand the emotions: being surprised, scared, sad, mad, bored and others are important to relay. When communicating with a deaf person. If you aren't sure what is being said you can read facial expressions to get you caught up to speed. With sign language, you tell a story with your body just like actors in a play.
Being a teacher has a lot of qualities that play makers in the theater business have. Theater is to create. Play writers write up an idea for the play. They look at cast, music ideas, time framework, things like how the stage is set up etc. Being a teacher is like that. A teacher draws up a lesson plan for the week. What will things be like for day one? How much will be covered in the time period? Teachers are setting the stage for a classroom. Theater has cultural aspects like in a classroom. How will a play relate to an audience? Plays sometimes want to be relatable or comical etc. In a classroom, you have to find out how people learn by finding relatable was to connect to the students. Everyone has a different reaction to methods of teaching. Switch it up and make it interesting. Also, it doesn't hurt for teachers to make people laugh sometimes. Especially since I will be working with little kids, I want to be liked but an authority figure as well. I want to create a balance so they don't take advantage of me, but they find learning fun and exciting. When I read to the children I want to draw the audience in and capture their attention.
Theater and teaching go hand and hand in many ways. As teachers we are actors on a stage presenting our material to an audience. We convey messages, we teach and reteach things, we reenact things. We want to get a reaction for the students. We want them to learn just like actors want the audience to clap. We develop our teaching styles from history. Maybe the way we were taught. Or a teacher that we admired we adapt their methods. I know that some actors get really nervous just like I get nervous sometimes in front of a classroom. Theater and teaching are very similar from the big things to the rows of seats students and audience members have to sit in. :)