This paper seeks to focus attention on the place and possible role of the arts in children's spiritual development and suggest some applications of selected theories in practice. It approaches the discussion by noting the importance of the aesthetic component of life and its presence within the religious framework, then its role in the inner, or…

Details four developmentally appropriate dramatic play experiences for integration into the classroom curriculum to extend dramatic play into a classroom play experience. Provides guidance in turning dramatic play into a project, launching the play process, readying the performance, problem solving, playing the play, and enjoying the outcome.…

Creative dramatics or child-oriented dramatic play is a basic educative process that draws upon the learning strategies developed in children's play and relates them to classroom learning tasks. As a structured play process that encourages children to explore the world in ways familiar to them, creative dramatics relates new experiences to old…

Oral language development, the single most important factor in determining readiness for reading, may be enhanced through creative drama, especially role playing. Role playing is spontaneous play which traditionally has served many purposes, including promoting socialization. It can also be a unique method of recreating historical episodes in…

The relationships among improvisational movement, creative drama, "movement thinking," and motivation for learning in children are explored in this book. Chapters deal with (1) the meaning of movement and drama, (2) a clarification of the teacher's role and the capabilities of children, (3) sensory awareness activities, (4) body awareness--e.g.,…

This curriculum guide provides an introductory course in the theatre for first-year high school students. The course uses an interdisciplinary approach and includes a discussion of types and styles of drama, a brief history of drama, fundamentals of acting, and techniques of play production focusing on music, costume design, make-up, scenery,…

The Fall 1972 issue of this publication focuses on oral interpretation, readers theatre, and creative dramatics. The lead article is on the subject of readers theatre for teaching interpretation to elementary school children. Two articles discuss the roles of creative dramatics and readers theatre in the high school curriculum. Relationships…

This volume of the Michigan Speech Association curriculum guide is a revision of the 1968 edition (ED 026 389). The first eight units comprise a first semester course that emphasizes theatre history, dramatic structure, and dramatic criticism and theory. There are also units on presenting a one-act play, music in the theatre, and children's…

Examines the nature of children's creative drama in different cultures (English speaking, Chinese, and Amerindian) through a case study approach. Details other research items that modified and amplified this study. Describes some substantive outcomes and provides indicators for subsequent ethnographic research in the field. (MS)

Presents an overview of research on classroom drama which shows that its use produces positive effects on children's reading, writing, and oral language. Suggests additional questions requiring exploration, and urges researchers to emphasize qualitative rather than quantitative analyses. (ARH)

Describes children's dramatic play behavior as a structured, recognizable phenomenon that is the result of careful nurturing by caregivers and a future tool to make vivid the actualities and potentialities of human experience. (CRH)

Examines how to increase student awareness of the range and depth of nonverbal communication and help them respond more intelligently to the nonverbal cues sent by others and understand the messages they transmit nonverbally. (CRH)

A report from the Educational Resources Information Center at the National Council of Teachers of English; includes ERIC abstracts of documents pertinent to this topic. (RD)

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)

In an experiment designed to involve reluctant learners in a creative learning experience, a class of youngsters assumed the role of a Sahara Desert tribe and talked about their perplexity in finding a chair washed up on the beach. Using this incident as the focal point for a project, the teacher divided the children into small groups to compose…