Flicks, Clicks & Flips

Billy Elliot: Authentic Assessment

Flick: Audition Scene from Billy Elliot 

This cut shows the power of asking the right question at exactly the right time. Billy’s dancing performance is less than adequate and yet one judge sees or feels something about him that she can quite put her finger on. By asking Billy the right question, she unleashes a response that shows Billy gets into a place (the zone) when he dances that all of the judges understand because they themselves have been there. This shows that it is not just about the performance but about the potential. There is more to judging than just judging the performance.

Click: How do you feel when you are dancing?

Flip: Do and Dream! The flip is you want to see not only the boy in the dance but you also       
          want to see the dance in the boy.

Article: Standards & Variation

Activity:

• Recall a time when you asked the right question at an exhibition. What was it?
• Keep a list of 'right questions' to ask students
• Recall when you did not judge just the performance but the child. Discuss.