In this article, we discuss how, through dramatic activities, fiction and reality can work together to help the English as a Foreign language learner communicate in a more personal and meaningful way. The kind of activities proposed are designed to help engender a space where students can personally engage with each other in an atmosphere that is…

This paper aims at describing and explaining how drama pedagogy is appropriated in Chinese language classrooms in Hong Kong. Drawing on the theories of dialogue and appropriation of Mikhail Bakhtin, the research shows that the dialogicality of drama in Hong Kong's classrooms is conditional, and therefore deviant from the conventional as…

An elementary reading specialist examined how drama can help young readers to become actively engaged with comprehending stories. The article explores how two first-grade students involved in a reading support program build representative yet unique understandings through process drama in connection with literacy activities. Through such…

An environmental education program for children at Killerton Park (England) combines reenactment of myths and other outdoor learning activities in an effort to "re-story" the landscape and give children a sense of place in the natural world. The activities were successful in stimulating the children's creativity and sensitivity to…

The combination of dramatics with mathematics is promoted. The script of a play "Even Nothing is Something" is presented in full. The material is used to convey mathematical concepts through the use of plays and skits. It is noted that students who struggle with daily work sparkle in the plays. (MP)

This guide is designed to assist school administrators and teachers in planning and developing dramatic and theatre arts programs that meet the needs of a wide range of students from kindergarten through grade 12. The first section of the guide sets forth a philosophy, goals, and criteria for effective theatre arts programs in general. The second…

A dance and movement therapist reviews the contributions of creative movement and dramatic play in the education of handicapped students. Sample exercises and their benefits are described. (CL)

A prop box is a teacher-created resource full of age-appropriate and meaningful activities focused on a central theme. Prop boxes work much like learning centers in an elementary classroom with the important addition of providing opportunities for socio-dramatic play. Prop box play engages students in self-chosen activities that promote critical…

This article suggests using drama activities to teach target vocabulary words to students with limited vocabulary development. It presents specific drama activities to implement when introducing new vocabulary, conducting guided practice, facilitating cooperative learning groups, and assigning independent practice. Suggestions are also offered for…

Explores how child care providers can use outdoor activities to enhance young children's cognitive, social, emotional, and motor development. Discusses surveying the outdoor play space, using outdoor prop boxes, planting a garden, and reflecting on outdoor experiences after moving indoors. Includes list of sample outdoor play materials and sample…

Discusses drama in foreign language instruction, especially as a means of improving oral expression. Two basic approaches are outlined and three techniques that have been used successfully with various age groups are described. (AMH)

Describes how teachers turned the reality of the nuclear reactor incident at Three Mile Island into a learning experience for children by recreating the sequence of events through creative dramatics. (CM)

The paper considers the definition of high quality preschool from a Vygotskian perspective. Similarities and differences in the issues faced in Russia and those in the United States are discussed as background. Three major ideas are considered from the work of Vygotsky and of his students/colleagues, Daniel Elkonin and Alexander Zaporozhets. The…

Puppets can be used in the classroom to teach, to tell stories, to introduce new students or books, and to develop children's cooperation, creativity, and coordination. Instruction on how to make and manipulate puppets, plan puppet plays, and locate information on puppetry are given. (PP)

A consultant to a Northern Alberta School Division describes how she used drama activities to enrich children's language experiences. (Author/MP)