Suggests promoting student critical thinking and motivation through the dramatization of U.S. history. Explains that the exercises make use of old newspaper articles, diaries, and letters, as well as physical artifact facsimiles. Discusses an activity in which students acted out the formation of the Iroquois nation, then wrote first person…

This practicum designed and implemented a program using art therapy to improve the social competency of elementary-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional/defiant disorder. Students were in a special class for children with severe emotional disturbances. The children met once a week in art therapy sessions…

A study examined the effect of role playing on persuasive letters written by 84 fourth and 70 eighth graders. Role playing was defined as improvised, unrehearsed oral interaction in a simulated context. Randomly selected students from 11 comparable heterogeneous classes in a middle-class suburb wrote to their school principals on three different…

This paper discusses the value of role play in facilitating children's language development and suggests strategies for using role play effectively in early childhood and intermediate classrooms. Role play requires the child (1) to listen and observe peer talk and action and to use language memory, attention and concentration behaviors; (2) to…

The purpose of this study was to design an intervention strategy, including role-playing techniques and activities, and to train teachers in their use in the classroom in order to improve the social status of socially rejected children. Other objectives were to change teachers' and peers' perceptions of the rejected children as well as to change…

The purpose of this bulletin, one of a series designed to aid the social studies teacher, is to explain the use of sociodrama in the classroom. An eight-step procedure for development of the sociodrama is described. Purposes of sociodrama are discussed and three major types of sociodrama are identified: the life problem, the problem story, and the…

Designed as part of a series to develop teaching strategies for the elementary curriculum, this module focuses on simulation games and role playing as two important teaching devices. The first part describes games and simulation; and factors that should be considered in selecting, using, and debriefing games in the classroom. Exercises to test…

Explores how a group of children and their teacher use their language knowledge to create a make-believe context. Shows how participants collaborate to construct dramatic experience and use language to describe their relationships, roles, and situations. Data are derived from a drama in which the participants wait for an event to occur. (16…

Presents suggestions for ways elementary school teachers can use Dr. Seuss's "The Butter Battle Book" in class to confront issues of conflict and peace. (BB)

Presents learning activities concerning Christopher Columbus and his voyages. Includes lessons requiring students to (1) write a pledge of allegiance to the world; (2) examine the Americas before Columbus; (3) prepare a newscast on Columbus' arrival in the Americas; (4) imagine being a Native American encountering Columbus; and (5) explore what…

Presents three different articles on social studies. Includes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of textbook use in social studies and a teaching method using puppets to represent historical or political personalities for debate, discussion, and interviews. Describes a program in which students learn about geography and other cultures by…

The article presents several activities designed to sharpen students' listening and observation skills and help them practice finding and evaluating alternatives to classroom conflicts and conflicts they may encounter elsewhere. Activities include solution skits, role playing, reading and writing conflict stories, and making comic strips. (SM)

First grade teachers detail how they successfully taught students assertiveness techniques for conflict resolution. Three times weekly, children learned to express themselves and take more responsibility for their behavior. Role playing was an important component. Teachers modeled assertive behavior, and parents were apprised of the situation so…

Describes two classroom activities that introduce critical-thinking skills into social studies instruction. One is a debate, followed by position papers, on the contribution of Christopher Columbus. The other is a simulation of a Constitutional Amendment conference. Discusses which parts of the lessons specifically focus on critical-thinking…

This report describes the outcomes of a federally funded project that developed an interactive videodisc social skills program and tested the effectiveness of the program on 30 children (grades 3-5) with behavior disorders. The program teaches children how to use appropriate tone of voice, phrasing, and body language in such social interactions as…