why same children given leading role every year

[ROSY2016]

hi all,
why same children given leading role every year. how do school choses the role for each children. Is it teachers choice ?

If the child is more confident and has ability then nothing to do with parents. That one line was given in nursery, I expressed my opinion through feedback. This year she was given one line as she is a confident reader.

ginmummy ,To mentioned she never missed her homework,from reception always homework on time on monday,100% attendance,never late on single day.

I can hear your frustration and I do understand that. I am not a teacher but I can’t think of a perfect way to sort it out so that, through all the years of a particular school, each child gets the opportunities they want AND the plays are reasonably well performed.

Do you want the school to have a published policy on how they allocate parts? Do you want a record to be kept for each child, logging how many lines they spoke or whether they danced etc. and for each teacher to check the record before allocating? How would this take into account each child’s preference? (plenty of people have said that they’ve discovered that their child didn’t want a big part) What about those children that say they want a part but don’t get support at home to learn their lines, or those that are off sick so much they can’t be relied upon to take the big parts, or those children who cannot speak clearly enough to be understood by the audience etc? What about those children whose parents complain, and then the next teacher feels under pressure to give them the best parts the next year??

This year (Y1) in my DD’s school they seemed to go for a ‘middle ground’ approach. The teacher discussed the roles with the children and they expressed interest, and clearly this influenced the parts that were given. That concept was good. In reality one of the narrators was not ideally suitable to the role: she was shy and panicked and said the wrong bit (and you could see her partner mouthing the words and itching to help out!), and one of the lead roles was played by a boy with something of a speech problem – it was pretty difficult to work out what he was saying, even though he did it confidently. Meanwhile a few individuals with small parts stood out for their confidence and clear speech. It would have been easy for the teacher to have given the big parts to these children, and no doubt the play would have been much better. Equally it would have been much worse if all of the shy children were forced into big parts. What is the right answer? I don’t know.

I think that ultimately it’s just not that important. I’d much prefer the teachers to be spending time creating inspiring lessons than worrying about who should get which part in a play. If my child were really keen in drama and not getting parts I’d get them into a drama group.

I am not saying she should get bigger part, for her ability like she is a strong reader,they could give her few more lines. But I get the point joining the local drama club.It will give more opportunity to show her talent rather wasting time on these school plays and assemblies. Why should they forced the shy children into big parts. If they don't want to do it then there is no point of forcing them.

I was a teacher. Christmas plays were a thankless task. Hours of curriculum time would be given up to learning songs and practising acting and dancing. Hours of lunchtime would be given up doing auditions for the children who wanted speaking roles - and yes, we chose the children who could speak clearly and loudly.

Finally you would have something that came together fairly well (especially if the TAs were placed strategically so that the children who struggled with the whole performing and sitting still lark felt supported). Then 3 of the children with main parts would tell you that 'Mum isn't bringing me tonight for the play because she says it's too late.' So you'd have to train up 3 more quickly. Then another wouldn't turn up because he was feeling a bit poorly so you'd have to draft one in with 5 minutes notice.

Then, once it had gone off with barely a hitch, various parents would complain that a) they couldn't hear what was being said, or b) child X was a main part again just like last year - even if they were one of the ones brought in at the last minute to fill a gap.

DH always knew to make sure there was a large glass of wine waiting for me when I got home from the performance.

And as for : I am not saying she should get bigger part, for her ability like she is a strong reader,they could give her few more lines. Then yes, you are exactly saying she should get a bigger part. How could they give her a few more lines without it being a bigger part?

There is definitely difference between bigger part and few more lines.for instances there are narrators,host and depend on the story for example this year roles judges and hosts were almost speaking during the whole play.They were the biggest part.

They had the biggest part because they had more lines? Then a bigger part and more lines are the same. So if you want her to have more lines you want her to have a bigger part.

To be honest, the only person who can answer why she wasn't given a bigger part is the teacher - have a quiet word. Say 'X was a little sad she only had one line - could you tell me what to work on with her so she may have a bigger part next time?'

The primary school I'm involved in keeps a list now that goes up the school of who had what parts in which productions. That way, they can try to give everyone a chance. They do lots of productions where everyone says one or two lines. I was a governor of my sons' primary school and neither of them, in all my years of governing, ever got a part in the nativity or got chosen to read at the carol service. Do you think it was reverse discrimination?

Yes that's true, only teacher can answer this. My point was hosts,and judges were biggest part as they were almost continuously speaking through out the whole play. In between biggest part and one line, there were roles like speaking at least few minutes on the stage rather than singing as a group. I mean inn keepers and shepard they have more speaking part rather than one line. That's the one I pointed few more lines.sorry just realised my mistake as I was reading with my dd big,bigger,biggest in her reading book, meant to say didn't ask biggest part.

Surely those lines will then be taken off another child then... which means their part will be shrunk or they may even lose their lines fully so your daughter can say more?

Next year at autumn term parents' meeting, ask the teacher if your dd can have more bigger speaking role, since she was very disappointed this year.
Term is almost over. Just enjoy holidays for now, maybe....
Start to sound like a bit OTT.

the purpose of this thread is fair policy. If the child got bigger part in previous year, then they should get group singing or one line in next year, that make sense.Tomorrowwillbechicken have you read the whole posts. It's not big talent show its just school performance.

I answered Gelena.

If they rotate it every time who gets it when it falls on a child who is unwilling or unable?
Do the teachers have to write down line numbers/words at every performance to make sure all through school that they all get the same?

In our school children only get main parts in year 3 and year 6 (the other classes just do songs). They get auditioned, and those who don't get a speaking part get a dancing part (unless they don't want it). Narrator roles are split into 'teams' so that up to 10 children can have 'narrator' lines. I think its quite good.

Of course ,if they can't do that ,then they should ask children and consider the children who willing to do,simple as that.The point is willing or able children. If the child unable to do then there is no problem, they can take dancing or singing.

Do the teachers have to write down line numbers/words at every performance to make sure all through school that they all get the same?

Sure, yes, why not? We have nothing better to do with our time.
(I know you weren't seriously suggesting this, chicken)

Maybe an overinvested parent could do it in the nativity?

any school performance or events are to show children talents. Its funny overinterested parent in nativity,sports,etc etc ,pushy parent. there is no need to write down number of lines through out the whole year. Ask the child and decide from their ability, then there you go,but that never ever happens.

I think teachers are better judge of each child's character at school than parents. The child who can confidently read with parents may not be the same at school.

Like I said up thread, preaching fairness on internet doesn't achieve anything. Do something in real life.

internet and forums are to get opinions and suggestions not for solution. Then why so many forums are there, so many people writing thie concerns rather than sorting out in real life.

If you encourage your dd to join a drama club (which sounds an excellent idea) do it to encourage a love of the theatre- don't do it because you think she will be getting bigger parts and because anything else would be a waste of time. My dd has been doing amateur theatre for most of her life: she has been part of a staircase, part of the sea, a member of countless crowds, a party-goer,- until she finally got a lead part at the age of 15. We were just as proud of her in all those minor roles and enjoyed them just as much. And that made her enjoy them too.

Thank you Cory for the wonderful suggestion.

It's always same ones in my DS year. Teacher is good friends with a lot of parents and surprise surprise guess who get main roles in everything! Oh look who is on school council, look who has photo inschool newsletter, who showed visitors round.
Not just me that notice. Another mum who is not in teachers friendship group , always gives me the knowing smile .