This is a step-by-step guide for having students create a basic idea for their own movie and then write and perform a "movie trailer" to promote their movie.

This article describes five improvisational theater games for building "teams" in the classroom and on the sports field. Particular attention is given to understanding how teams must challenge the hyper-individuality of modern culture. Improvisational theater games for team building are designed to help participants find a balance…

This chapter presents drama-based pedagogy as an instructional strategy to increase comprehension of a novel or informational text in a content area, to encourage collaborative discussions about a text, and to help students apply knowledge acquired from a text to one's own life and world. This essay proceeds with a brief discussion of relevant…

Research documents that the arts boost learning, build confidence, and motivate students to participate in class. How do we keep the performing arts alive in this era of increased accountability and decreased funding? Rekha S. Rajan sets the stage for a creative and practical solution with detailed, concrete examples of how to integrate the…

There is increasing concern over disengagement of teacher candidates during on-campus periods of pre-service programs due to the perceived disconnect between educational theory and practice. In response, teacher education has been called to engage candidates in praxis through authentic learning. In this paper, we bring together the fields of…

This article discusses two activities--Readers Theatre and Rhythm Walks--that encourage students to "get moving" with fluency instruction. Movement can be a motivating factor for struggling students, as well as a kinesthetic tool for conceptualizing the rhythm and flow of fluent reading while triggering brain function for optimal learning. Also…

The history of Fermat's Last Theorem, recounted in the theatrical piece "Fermat's Last Tango," is a useful vehicle for introducing students to the variety of personalities, processes, and products involved in advanced mathematical investigation. The musical's accessible, informative, and positive portrayal of mathematicians and their work is…

One in a series of booklets on instructional units for gifted students, the document centers on drama for high school students. Objectives of the interdisciplinary course include increased awareness of the dramatist's role in society and greater sensitivity to the creative process. An introductory section examines the major differences between…

Describes a junior high school program offering drama as a course elective. Cites fairy tales, and Western or melodramatic plays as most effective for student involvement; recommends avoiding those about teenagers. Notes educational advantages of this program for handicapped, special education, disruptive, and low reading skills students. (JG)

An end-of-school-year dance program was prepared and performed by a preschool class of 11 deaf children. A variety of learning activities across the curriculum were part of the experience. (DB)

One in a series of instructional units designed for gifted students, the paper describes a high school curriculum that examines the Greek theatre as a reflection of Greek society. The unit is designed to provide academic substance while developing higher level critical thinking skills. Following a brief introduction on the integration of theatre…

This paper provides 18 lesson plans that use educational technology for instruction in the visual and performing arts in secondary schools; these lesson plans were developed as part of a workshop held in the State of Washington in May 1988. The lesson plans were developed to follow the format of State of Washington Superintendent of Public…

Describes a junior high language arts curriculum project in which students played the parts of famous authors. Notes stages of preparation, including reading, researching biographies, practicing speaking skills, and understanding authors' viewpoints. (JG)

Suggesting that reading plays aloud is an effective way to promote literacy and history in the grade 4-8 classroom, this book presents 22 short, readers' theater plays about extraordinary American men and women. The plays in the book are designed to enrich classroom learning by building oral literacy, fostering a knowledge of American heritage,…

This book summarizes itself as "A collection of excerpts from children's literature on themes related to the United States Constitution scripted in Readers Theatre format for elementary school students." It is based upon the belief that an integrated curriculum that correlates content and skills is most appropriate at the elementary…