Language Arts, Grades 5-8
Marge Uhlarik-Boller, with Da Vinci since 2001
Contact:
Phone: 847-841-7532 ext 224
Email: muhlarik@dvacademy.org
The best times to reach me are before school (8:00 AM - 8:45 AM)
and after school (3:15 PM - 4:00 PM). Email is the best way
to reach me, and I will reply before the end of the day whenever
possible.
Degrees Held:
B.A. in Education and minor in English and Theatre Arts,
University of Illinois-Chicago
30+ hours graduate work
Other Education, Training and Experience:
- Have taught and developed curriculum for gifted education for
16+ years
- Professional theatre director and actor for 25+ years, have
taught creative writing and playwriting at Northwestern's Center
for Talent Development
- Worked as creative drama instructor for the following:
Worlds of Wisdom and Wonder; Children's Theatre of Western Springs;
Downers Grove Park District; Des Plaines Footlighters Theatre
Group.
- Taught acting for both Triton College and Dreammakers Acting
Studio
- Professional Theatre consultant for 25+ years
- Founder of the Ides of March Acting Studio
- Taught ESL for Morton College for 3 years
Describe your teaching style:
I am a very hands-on teacher. My English classes are driven by
discussion and a wide focus on the creative element in literature
and individual writing. We work in groups sometimes, but also
individually. I get to know my students and their writing
very intimately as we explore all aspects of writing: research,
expository writing, analysis of literature and poetry, and
ultimately creative writing and expression. As a drama
teacher, my classes are based on Viola Spolin's study of creative
drama with a high emphasis on teamwork, communication and interplay
between the students.
Describe your curriculum and any unique or special
projects/topics:
Our Middle School students in Grades 5-8 study literature
(including Shakespeare), poetry, short stories and language
arts magazines; practice all forms of writing-including a monthly
reading/writing process called RRJ (or Reading Response Journal);
study grammar; participate in classroom discussions and debates;
prepare research projects; study and practice drama work; do oral
presentations.
5th Grade Curriculum
6th Grade Curriculum
7th Grade Curriculum
8th Grade Curriculum
What are the goals for your class?
In my English class the major goal is to be a deep thinker and a
skilled communicator. To that end we write constantly and
hold discussions about what we are studying and how those studies
relate to our lives.
Key Learning
Objectives of Middle School Language Arts & Drama
How Students
Can Be Successful in Language Arts
Information for
Parents
What do you like best about working with Da Vinci
students?
Da Vinci students always bring an interesting, individualized spin
to my day. They challenge me as a teacher, writer and
director. They can be extraordinarily committed to whatever
topic, piece of literature or poem we are studying. I love
the enthusiasm and pure enjoyment they bring to drama class each
and every week!