This book presents science fiction readers theatre scripts for use with grades 4 through 8. The introduction provides information on what readers theatre is and its value, as well as presentation suggestions (e.g., preparing scripts, staging, props, delivery, and post-presentation). Each script includes staging directions and ideas for learning…

Describes a yearlong project at 12 Catholic middle schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, to incorporate the plays of William Shakespeare into the curriculum. Teachers attended university lectures and directed students in performances of the plays. Concludes that Shakespeare can be understood and enjoyed by middle school students. (BCY)

Readers Theater is a presentation by two or more participants who read from scripts and interpret a literary work in such a way that the audience imaginatively sense characterization, setting, and action. Traditionally, the primary focus of readers theater is on an effective reading of the script, not on a dramatic presentation. The scripts in…

Developed in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Broadway theater, this guide provides activities that encourage middle, junior, and senior high school students to use newspapers to answer questions about 22 plays. Detailed lesson plans are included for three Broadway hits: "Cats,""Les Miserables," and "Jelly's…

Intended for middle school teachers interested in helping students (especially those with no experience attending theater) learn how to read and see a play by themselves, this paper provides a lesson plan based on W. W. Jacobs's dramatic play, "The Monkey's Paw." After furnishing a rationale for reading this particular play, the paper…

A book called "The Shakespeare Stealer" (Gary Blackwood) is about a young boy during the time of Shakespeare who sneaks into the Globe Theater and meets the Bard. The book has been turned into a play. The five lessons in this curriculum unit revolve around "The Shakespeare Stealer." The lessons in the unit support many major…

Outlines the steps involved in constructing an art gallery in an arts magnet school for middle school students. The work in the classrooms echoes the themes selected for exhibitions. Describes how teachers, parents, and students are actively involved in the creation and maintenance of the gallery. (KM)

This paper presents ways art educators can participate in a more holistic approach to education. The document outlines the following premises: (1) students will be consumers of art and determine what art they choose to consume, which requires a systematic and thorough grounding in critical evaluation if they are to make good decisions; (2)…

Middle school and junior high school language arts students can receive a basic background in the elements of theatrical production and an appreciation of the theatre arts by producing and performing one act plays. A six- or seven-week unit can progress from the basics of pantomime, reading and vocabulary, and characterization with make-up,…

Intended especially for teachers who might be a little intimidated by the art of playwriting, this guide provides a step-by-step plan for using drama in the classroom in grades 4-8 to build children's language arts and thinking skills. The guide features a series of engaging activities where students will learn how to write dialogue, set scenes,…

This book describes a course in drama, art, and story writing for children in grades four through eight. Twenty lesson plans guide students from creating scenes in drama to writing and illustrating their own stories. The plans include simple and practical improvisations for the classroom, as well as suggestions for plays and exhibits of the…

Designed to tap the rich collection of instructional techniques in the ERIC database, this compilation of lesson plans focuses on language arts activities for gifted middle school students. The 40 lesson plans in this book cover history, literature, mass media, reading, theater arts, thinking skills, and writing. The book includes an activities…

This bibliography, organized in seven sections, provides a comprehensive overview of Canadian arts education resources useful in the instruction of junior high school students. (1) "Titles and Descriptions" provides information, sources, annotations, and suggested subject integration for alphabetically arranged items. (2) "Community…