Anne Frank and my 8th graders

I enjoy teaching the story of Anne Frank- as I'm sure many teachers do. It's inspiring and so immediate for the 8th grade students because she was their age. We read the play version in class, since it's available in our textbooks. And we don't just read it, no sirree, we perform it!

I've chosen scenes or segments of scenes from the play for students to do a "performance reading." Each student chooses a part (or is assigned if need be) and is given a copy of the script for that scene. Students are not required to memorize and block, but they are required to make their reading aloud superb (here's the rubric). We analyzed what makes a good performance reading in class, listened to audiobook snippets as models, and rehearsed. Now, whenever we get to a performance scene in the play, students are ready and able to read it aloud for us, with fluency and feeling.

This is one of my favorite things to do all year. I love listening to the students' performances. We keep it light, and sometimes the boys do funny voices and perform the part of Mrs. Van Daan. Why not? I value the story of Anne Frank because despite the gravity of the situation she was caught in, she found ways to love life. And 8th graders, despite any reputation they might have as hard to teach, eat the inspiration up. It's why I love teaching 8th graders!