Have you ever met someone so full of ideas and energy that it just staggers you? THAT is my new acquaintance, Norma Bennett. At her table in the convention hall, sweet packages of Norma Jean mystery novels and writing guides for middle-schoolers are neatly bundled with twine and sit cozily next to piles of Reader's Theater productions on the heroes and fathers of the faith. Norma Bennett has written over 50 plays, and travels widely to produce and stage productions for churches all over this nation. All of this and more are available on her website bennet-projects.com - let's take a closer look!
First of all, my attention was completely captured by the Norma Jean Mysteries, which are designed for middle-school readers. Set on the Alberta Prairie in the 1960's, the title character and her brother Howard find mysteries that lead to them puzzling out historical and cultural events. With three novels (Norma Jean and the Mystery of the Suitcase , Norma Jean and the Mystery of the Gypsy Summer, and Norma Jean and the Mystery of the Midnight Tea Party) and an accompanying set of writing helps - a journal and a storyboard - this set might do more than provide interesting reading for your student. They might just intrigue a middle-schooler you know into writing their own story. The tools are certainly there to begin educating your students (and you know I think this is the perfect age for this!) to look beyond the story to the structure. As they see how a book is structured, they develop a great foundation for beginning their own writing process! For a detailed review of the books, I would point you to The Old Schoolhouse Review.
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Now - True confessions? While I am a bibliophile, my minor is in history and I just cannot resist anything that brings those two loves together. Add theater to this, and I am just over-the-moon! And wouldn't you know, Norma Bennett has written Reader's Theater productions that do just that - providing a great unit-study style activity that melds theater, history, and literature (because you would have to read a biography or sample of their own works while you are producing this, right?) Each script comes complete with instructions to create a stand-alone production, detailed staging instructions, and also ideas for a dinner's theater that could be put on as a co-op or group activity. In addition, you get a downloadable PDF in order to produce the requisite number of scripts - you are all set to go!
The available scripts include: Gregory the Great, Augustine of Hippo, Martin & Katie Luther, John Knox, Gladys Alyward, and Roger Youderian. On the Bennett Project website, there is a short sample of each script and staging available - you will be amazed and amused at the creative settings. Take a look - I don't know if it is your homeschool group, a history co-op, or your church - but some fellowship you are part of would be the richer for having an evening of laughter, appreciation, and learning about these amazing heroes of the faith!
The available scripts include: Gregory the Great, Augustine of Hippo, Martin & Katie Luther, John Knox, Gladys Alyward, and Roger Youderian. On the Bennett Project website, there is a short sample of each script and staging available - you will be amazed and amused at the creative settings. Take a look - I don't know if it is your homeschool group, a history co-op, or your church - but some fellowship you are part of would be the richer for having an evening of laughter, appreciation, and learning about these amazing heroes of the faith!
I hope you visit Norma over at bennett-projects.com - she is happy to answer questions, and full of great ideas and information.
Remember!
Not All Rigor is Mortis -
Remember!
Not All Rigor is Mortis -
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