Recommends using "Readers' Theater" as an interdisciplinary approach to social studies. Maintains that the format lends itself to the examination of social issues and current events while it provides opportunities for a variety of learning styles. Briefly discusses Jan Truss' book, "A Very Small Rebellion." (MJP)

Describes an approach to producing two Shakespeare plays in repertory involving academic resources available at Iowa State University. The approach includes academic credit, guest lecturers providing background, weekly seminars, and discussions. (JMF)

Maintains that artists seldom take an educated interest in any artistic discipline apart from their own. Suggests that students need to be allowed to confront each other with regard to the aesthetic quality of a work and suggests an interdisciplinary form like performance art could be a good starting point. (KM)

Presents a hands-on lesson that can integrate the use of makeup with studies of the history of Halloween; the history and practices of the theater; Native American or African tribes and their use of paint, makeup, and masks; and the history, skills, and makeup of clowns. (MDH)

Narrated by actor Kadeem Hardison, this documentary videotape presents arguments and examples for using Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in today's classroom. Experts in education examine how individuals currently use technology and suggest how people can use technology better in the future to augment and improve education. Many programs are…

This document is the report of a task force established to survey all arts education programs in New Jersey, develop a model curriculum with sequential instruction for grades kindergarten through grade 12, evaluate the effects of the arts experience on students, review and make recommendations to improve certification requirements for arts…

Based on the premise that a multischool theatre festival can provide educational interaction on a noncompetitive basis, this guide has been prepared as an aid for schools and theatre arts departments wishing to host such a festival. The guide discusses a variety of theatre festival components, including (1) the purpose and types of festivals; (2)…

Teaching can be viewed as a performing art, and teacher educators need to recognize that acting and the art of teaching have much in common. A model for preservice teacher education, correlating dramatic techniques with pedagogy in student teaching, is introduced. (PP)

With the help of the music, physical education, and art teachers, two third-grade classes wrote, scored, and produced an original operetta in a five-month interdisciplinary classroom project. The process is outlined and recommended by the authors for almost any grade level. (SJL)

This thematic unit involves kindergarten and 1st grade students in the production of a theatrical performance based on the folktale, "The Little Red Hen." The interdisciplinary unit connects knowledge related to theater arts, art, language arts, music, applied mathematics, social studies, and science. Students visit a local theater and…

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;…

Describes how students incorporated the use of faux finishes in the construction of scenery for a school production of "Cinderella." After researching medieval castles and different types of stone surfaces, students used a sponge printing technique for exterior walls and a marbling technique for columns in the ballroom scene. (GG)

This document presents guidelines to assist educators in the state of Wyoming to develop performance based outcome objectives for the performing and literary arts. An introductory passage argues that art can promote the development of such basic skills as communication, discipline, and analytical thinking, while also promoting the general quality…

Few U.S. high school students know art or music history, but the languages of the arts should not be foreign to anyone. History should be taught as an exploration of human endeavors and expressions. History provides the framework to help people learn the changing forms, styles, and functions of the arts, religion, philosophy, and other humanistic…

Describes the use of scene work, informal presentations of dramatic passages, to explore aspects of plays that readers are likely to overlook. Finds that this scene work increases the pertinence of students' comments in class and the ambitiousness of their written work. (MM)