Use "West Side Story" or another of the many Broadway musicals that lend themselves to classroom activities to take your students off the beaten path of routine learning. (Author)

This book brings new life to the study of social studies by integrating the tools of creative drama and theater tools like pantomime, movement, improvisation, scripted drama, oral interpretation, debate, public speaking, readers theater, storytelling, and the many other ways the body or voice can be used to creatively communicate ideas to others.…

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…

This resource guide encourages grade 3-6 students to explore the social structure, government, culture and art forms, scientific discoveries, and historic personalities of the European Renaissance. The work is organized into 10 topics: (1) The Renaissance; (2) Art; (3) Leonardo da Vinci; (4) The Medicis; (5) Michelangelo; (6) Printing; (7) Music;…

THIS MANUAL IS PROVIDED FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE PREPARING THEIR CLASSES TO ATTEND THE PROFESSIONALLY-PRODUCED PLAY--"THE FARCE OF THE WORTHY LAWYER PIERRE PATHELIN"--AS PART OF A TITLE 3 PILOT PROJECT, "EXPERIENCES IN DRAMATIC ARTS," SERVING SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON. PREPARED FOR CLASSROOM USE, THE MANUAL IS INTENDED TO…

Ideas are presented for the creation of various puppets which can be used to teach different topics in the elementary school classroom. A song and ideas for stages for puppet shows and a "puppet corner" are also included. (CJ)

Offers a brief overview of "Curtains Up On Reading," an outreach program of the Dallas Children's Theater that places literature-based drama at the center of the curriculum. Outlines the philosophy, history, and methodology of this unique interdisciplinary language and fine arts curriculum. Describes its application in a five-day model…

Profiles "Barnyard Economics," a children's play produced by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE is a national organization for college students who provide economic education to the community. The audience-participation play uses the adventures of a pig to illustrate opportunity costs, production of goods and services, and productive…

Presents a lesson plan explaining and providing procedures for a flippy theater project. Flippy theater is a series of drawings that illustrate a one-act play, presented on large individual sheets or canvas suspended from a pole hung between two uprights or held by two people. Includes an example. (MJP)

This handbook on creative dramatics at the elementary school level is primarily intended to assist the teacher who already has some training in creative dramatics. The handbook contains sections on (1) the philosophy and objectives of the program, including a discussion of an affective curriculum; (2) definitions of key concepts, including general…

Ideas about the arts and their place in the classroom are elaborated through this series of essays. "Radio Plays: A Close Encounter with Another Medium" (Norton A. Roman) discusses the use of old radio plays in the classroom. "Dynamic Dinosaurs" (Kathy Vajda) describes teaching a unit on dinosaurs to a kindergarten class.…