My mentor was absent today so I was asked to cover his sessions as well as taking mine. I really enjoy having days like this with the Performing Arts students as it gives me time to put my teaching skills into practice more. The reason for this is because I think a full day with a group of students can give you chance to set targets and goals throughout the day, by doing this the students seem to learn a lot more knowledge and complete more work.
I was asked to look at We Will Rock You and to finish a song and possibly block a scene. When directing and blocking scenes I find that if the students see me do an example of a character first, this can bring in focus and can also make the student want to do a better job.
It seems to bring in focus by doing this because the students are intrigued to see their tutor perform. I think this is because the students are aware that their tutors have worked in a professional environment and have attended university's or stage schools to receive their training.
By the end of this day our students had completed a full song which includes a three part harmony and also blocked a full scene. The reason I had chose scene 10 rather than the first is so everyone in the class would be included and contributing towards this scene. As their programme leader was not in today, I thought this would of been the best way to do it as sometimes they can loose focus.