Sense Memory 05: Sunshine

The Stanislavski Method

SUNSHINE Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________________ Period: ______

Objective • Assess your progress with your relaxation efforts • Assess your progress with your ability to concentrate • Recreate the sensory experience of basking in the sun. Preparation You will need some privacy outside to complete this assignment. First begin by relaxing your body and quieting your mind through the relaxation techniques we have learned in class. Take as much time as you need. Then go through the actual steps of sitting in a chair and basking in the sun. Carefully observe all the sensations that accompany this task. Observation Record Your responses to the prompts below MUST be almost ridiculously specific. Use metaphors and similes to accurately conjure up the sensation. Be specific about how the sensation physically affects you. 1)

Where specifically do you feel the sun’s ray the strongest on your face? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

2)

Where specifically on your body? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

3)

Is there a difference between the temperature of the air and the heat of the sun’s rays? Explain. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

4)

Describe what other physical sensations come with this experience. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

The Exercise Now, go to another location. Spend at least 10 minutes relaxing in a chair—as you have been taught. Repeat the process above without actually being in the presence of the sun. You are not doing this exercise in order to learn to pantomime. Work on reliving each of the specific sensations you recorded above. Do not move on to the next step until you fully recreate each sensation fully and vividly and specifically. Work on this several times for roughly ten-minute intervals. You will be completing this exercise in class, and will be expected to have worked on this significantly at home. You will be guided through each step, and you will be asked to recreate and describe each sensation. Due Date: ________________________________ Reflection [To Be Completed After Your In-Class Performance] Respond to the following prompts sincerely and with specific detail. Keep in mind that sense memory work is intended to be a continual process. You are not learning your times tables; these are exercises not unlike sit-ups or yoga. You continue to develop your ability with no end zone in sight. To achieve any kind of success you must commit yourself to continually working on it. 1)

How did you feel working on this exercise? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 2)

Which specific sensations gave you the most trouble? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

3)

What specific goals do you have for yourself as you continue to work? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Assessment [for teacher use only] PREPARATION

5

4

3

2

1

RELAXATION

5

4

3

2

1

CONCENTRATION

5

4

3

2

1

DETAIL OF WORK

5

4

3

2

1

ABILITY TO SUSTAIN

5

4

3

2

1

SELF-EVALUATION

5

4

3

2

1

Total ________ out of 30