This collection presents techniques for tapping a broad range of literary sources to inspire young writers. Drawing upon poetry, folk tales, story jokes, and more, Literary Ideas walks students in grades 3-8 through the process of creating new stories and developing them as scripts for choral readings, readers theatre, and classroom plays. The…

Based on the idea that the focus of theater is human beings and thus that theater can be related to experiences already familiar to students, this book aims to provide both instructors and students with informative, incisive, and pleasurable knowledge about the theater. The book is divided into 6 parts and subdivided into chapters within each…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "A Village Fable, In the Suicide Mountains," A one-act musical play based on the novella "In The Suicide Mountains" by John Gardner, and presented by The Coterie Theatre. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of Judy Blume's "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," adapted for the stage by Bruce Mason. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) The Story (offering a brief introduction to…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "Little Women," adapted for the stage by Paulette Laufer and based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) From Novel to Stage Play…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "Ramona Quimby," adapted by Len Jenkin from the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) The Characters (introducing the characters in the…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "The Snow Queen," adapted from the story by Hans Christian Andersen by Sandra Deer. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) What Happens in "The Snow Queen?" (offering…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "Caddie Woodlawn," adapted by Greg Gunning from the novel by Carol Ryrie Brink. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) The Characters (introducing the characters in the…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "Sundiata: Lion King of Mali," adapted by Kim Hines and featuring Griot Alhaji Papa Susso. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) Sundiata: Man & Myth (discusses…

Developed by classroom teachers during the development phase of Minnesota's Graduation Standards, this performance package is made up of locally designed assignments that, taken together, show whether a student has learned and can apply the knowledge and skills related to creating and performing original artistic presentations. It begins with…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black." The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) To Be Young, Gifted, and Black (a theatrical collage based upon the life and work of the…

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,…