Describes eight English lessons using creative dramatics for Chinese third graders. Notes that the elementary lessons were mostly unsuccessful. Considers how the cultural differences in education suggests that Chinese educational methods are strongly based on memorization and repetition, while western educators often strive for just the opposite.…

Each month, "Curriculum Review" offers teachers mutual support, the sharing of ideas, and words of encouragement to help them face challenges in the classroom. The October 2004 issue of "Curriculum Review" contains the following articles: (1) "We Hear from Readers"; (2) "What They're Saying"; (3) "Technology Update"; (4) "Consider Drafting Younger…

In this article, the author describes some of the key research findings that demonstrate the relationship between school readiness and preschool play. She begins with definitions of both school readiness and play, and then describes the teacher's role in ensuring that play is used effectively to promote school readiness. The author goes on to…

The Moving On project is an initiative of Griffith University and the Aftercare Resource Centre, a service agency established to meet the ongoing needs of ex-residents of institutional childhood care in Queensland. This collaborative action research project is funded by a three-year Australian Research Council Linkage Grant to explore the…

In contemporary drama education theory, much emphasis has been placed on the value of improvisation and role drama for contributing to the development of students. Working through role in improvisational formats has been thought to provide students with unique opportunities for understanding self and others by creating contexts that allow for…

This paper outlines research which examined the relationship between drama and writing, detailing the method of enquiry, theoretical foundations and emergent findings. The study sought to understand the nature of the support that drama offers children as writers and to identify features of writing which regularly surfaced in drama-related writing.…

This article presents the Let's Talk project as a different approach to oral language development. This approach was based on observations of classrooms in the Netherlands where children talked at large tables while playing with miniature figures representing people and objects they were familiar with in their daily lives. It was also influenced…

Preschool educators developed a library media learning and play center to enable children to "experience" a library; establish positive attitudes about the library; and encourage respect for self, others, and property. The center had the following areas: check-in and check-out desk, quiet reading section, computer center, listening center, video…

This paper briefly describes a unit of study or program called "Africa Revisited," which gives students an opportunity to read African folktales and take part in making them come alive through sociodramatics, improvisations, puppetry, and creative writing. The paper's five main sections are as follows: (1) Project Overview; (2) Project…

This study examined the variation in children's choice of learning centers in a naturalistic, free-play setting. The study was designed to develop a realistic picture of how 4- and 5-year-olds interact in each of 4 settings (computer, dramatic play, block, and manipulative) to allow for comparison of their behaviors between genders and across…

This study presents a qualitative description of changes in social and symbolic behaviors in an African-American girl with autism over a period of 10 years (from age 5 to 15 years), with emphasis on ages 9 to 11. The primary purpose of the investigation was to elucidate the process ultimately leading to reciprocal social relations and symbolic…

To determine the characteristics of, problems with, and teachers' attitudes toward the elementary language arts curriculum, a survey was distributed to 160 elementary teachers (101 teachers responded; 86 females and 15 males--a 63% rate of return). Results showed that teachers perceived no difficulties communicating either with other teachers…

Designed for elementary school students, the unit presents five brief sessions for teaching an historical event using a fine arts approach. By incorporating dance, drama, art, and music into the study of historical events, students heighten their awareness of themselves and of the characters in history. In session 1, students reenact and discuss…

The inclusion of plays in the foreign language curriculum can result in some of the most rewarding literary experiences for students. Using plays proficiently in the classroom can be much enhanced if the play is carefully chosen to suit the students' abilities, interests, and level of maturity. Pertinent cultural and historical background,…

This 30 to 40 minute drama for secondary school students takes place in the Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia, on September 17, 1787, the day the Constitutional Convention ended. James Madison serves as the drama's spokesman. The drama focuses on five major points: (1) the Colonial Confederation's situation at that time, which necessitated…