Books with author Martha Ramirez

My First Latino Monologue Book is the first title in a groundbreaking new collection designed to support K-3 students in beginning acting classes whose first language, or language most frequently spoken at home, is Spanish. Specific characters are featured in this collection of 100 short monologues -- people kids know, like the local hairdresser, the cop on the corner, or a boring teacher at school, and people kids probably don't know, such as an astronaut, a mad scientist, even a witch! -- requiring them to do a bit of imagining along the way. Each monologue calls for different physical movements, voices, and perspectives, encouraging young performers to take an active role in forming their own acting choices. Critical thinking questions follow each monologue, tailored as imagination or hidden-clue questions, to get young performers thinking in-depth about the character.

My Second Latino Monologue Book is the second title in a groundbreaking new collection designed to support K-3 students in beginning acting classes whose first language, or language most frequently spoken at home, is Spanish. 100 places -- from the soccer park to Abuela's house to under Jose's bed -- are explored in short, fun monologues, featuring a dash of Latino culture and language and sprinkled with fun illustrations throughout. Each monologue is followed by two critical thinking questions to engage the kids in the acting process: "Does your character like the place he or she is describing? Why or why not?" These questions engage young performers in analyzing the monologues, and encourages them to express opinions and discuss choices.

My First Latino Scene Book builds on acting skills kids have developed in the first three monologue books in this ground-breaking new collection for K-3 students. Having successfully tackled the monster that is "the monologue" students are ready to work with each other in dramatic scenes. This collection of fifty two-person scenes is chock-full of conflict, friends and family, and everyday situations that children can relate to spending bus fare on a bake sale, eating too much, taking dares, pretending to talk with animals. At the beginning of each book, are acting guidelines to help children play the scenes effectively. Questions at the end of each scene encourage them to delve deeper into the situation and the characters, sparking interesting classroom discussion, illustrations throughout for students to color. As with the monologue books, M. Ramirez weaves commonly used Spanish words and idioms in to essentially English material..

My Second Latino Scene Book builds on M. Ramirez's first scene book, with longer, more challenging every day situations. Like its predecessor, the scenes in this book are populated with characters familiar to kids and present conflicts and dilemma they can relate to, such as being the new kid at school, first time away at camp, worrying about how you look in braces, and cleaning a messy bedroom. At the beginning of each book, are acting guidelines to help children play the scenes effectively. Questions at the end of each scene encourage them to delve deeper into the situation and the characters, sparking interesting classroom discussion illustrations throughout for students to color. As with the monologue books, M. Ramirez weaves commonly used Spanish words and idioms into essentially English material.

Gonzo is a curious cat who lives on Farmer Louie's farm. As he learns the many lessons of life by his misadventures he is often reminded of Farmer Louie's motto, "Safety First." But when Gonzo finds himself lost in an unfamiliar place, he discovers the true meaning of why it is important to be extra careful and less curious. Will Gonzo find the special gift he is searching for while he is lost?Come join the fun and meet all the playful barnyard friends, Gonzo the Curious Cat, and Farmer Louie.Learn what friendship and safety can bring.

Gonzo is a curious cat who lives on Farmer Louie's farm. As he learns the many lessons of life by his misadventures, he is often reminded of Farmer Louie's motto, "Safety First." Farmer Louie always knew that Gonzo's curiosity and adventurous personality would one day get him into trouble. But when Gonzo finds himself lost in an unfamiliar place, he discovers the true meaning of why it is important to be extra careful and less curious. Will Gonzo find the special gift he is searching for while lost? Come join the fun and meet all the playful barnyard friends, Gonzo the Curious Cat, and Farmer Louie. Learn what friendship and safety can bring.

My Second Latino Scene Book builds on M. Ramirez's first scene book, with longer, more challenging every day situations. Like its predecessor, the scenes in this book are populated with characters familiar to kids and present conflicts and dilemas they can relate to, such as being the new kid at school, first time away at camp, worrying about how you look in braces, and cleaning a messy bedroom. At the beginning of each book, are acting guidelines to help children play the scenes effectively. Questions at the end of each scene encourage them to delve deeper into the situation and the characters, sparking interesting classroom discussion. Illustrations throughout for students to color. As with the monologue books, M. Ramirez weaves commonly used Spanish words and idioms into essentially English material. ABOUT THE SERIESMy First Acting Series introduces children, ages 5 to 9, to the basic elements of acting, directing, and producing a live theatrical performance and, in so doing, teaches kids how to think critically, solve problems, and work cooperatively with their peers.This groundbreaking new series is for truly beginning actors, designed to incorporate theater and its benefits into children's lives at a young age by giving teachers and parents an accessible and applicable series with which to supplement their children's reading or social studies curriculum in a fun and interactive way.Each book builds on the one before it, so skills grow as students grow. A better alternative to Reader's Theater, My First Acting Series is written by professional playwrights, and sufficiently engages children, encourages them to cooperate, and develops their creative expression.Within this series, the Latino/English Collection is designed to support K-3 classes that include students whose first language, or language most frequently spoken at home, is Spanish. M. Ramirez has written accessible material that weaves commonly used Latino words and idioms into essentially English material. This Latino flavor breaks down language barriers and allows Latino kids to focus on the work at hand -- learning to act -- while progressing in sync with schoolmates who are more comfortable with commonly available dramatic material.SERIES BREAKDOWNMy First Acting Series contains two collections for K-3 students. The Latino/English Collection by M. Ramirez, and the Standard/English collection by Kristen Dabrowski each include three monologue books, two scene study books, a technique book and a teacher's guide. The acting technique book includes games, exercises, and acting technique lessons; the teachers guide is complete with readymade lesson plans and suggestions on how to incorporate the material into existing curriculum.