This curriculum guide for the teaching of composition at the sixth grade level includes lessons in six categories: Observing, Recallin Experiences, Making Words Work, Causes and Effects, Using Imagination, and Considering Audience. The lessons include a statement of purpose, a description of primary and/or secondary skills that are objectives of…

Because they are such effective teaching resources, puppets are an economical and exciting resource for increasing numbers of teachers involved in courses on death education. Puppets help students overcome emotional problems, and, since death is a traumatic area to explore, they provide opportunities to work through social situations not yet…

Cites studies and three illustrative cases showing benefits to a reading program which can be derived from creative dramatics activities. Discusses materials and supplies, physical arrangement and management techniques for a creative dramatics learning center. (BR)

Presents a conversational analysis of children's re-created play episodes drawn from a larger study of children's dramatic play and its re-creation through teacher-led discussions. The analysis provides an empirical framework by which educators may reflect upon the utility and appropriateness of this practice. (Author/MS)

Ways in which creative dialogue fosters the development of creativity through expressive language and motor movements are described. Procedures are outlined for generating creative dialogue with children ages 3-5 through the observation component (observing, interviewing, transcribing), and with children ages 6-8 through the language development…

The Play Rating Scale was developed to observe young children's behaviors in four different areas of play: physical, block, manipulative, and dramatic. In each area, observations focus on frequency, ability, and creativity in communicating ideas; social levels of participation; and leadership capability. A total of 2,400 three-, four- and…

Argues that medieval drama in performance suggests a number of important issues about the nature of literature, particularly about the way narrative and dramatic art can express the life of a community. Presents a series of exercises that start with familiar, nonthreatening situations in order to approach the richness of medieval plays and the…

If children can define right and wrong from their own value system, they'll be better prepared to decide on major problems like drugs and alcohol. (Author/ML)

Role playing differs from the more static teaching technique of simulation in its incorporation of originality and theatricality. From preparation to presentation, it is important to retain the element of play, avoid techniques of or tendencies toward psychodrama, and hold the pedagogical or evaluative purposes in mind. (MSE)

Techniques for warming up, establishing group rapport, and setting in motion a role-playing activity are outlined. These involve physical games, communication exercises, oral skill development, and creative thinking. (MSE)

Reports on 10 documents from the ERIC system that provide insight on the creative process and information on a variety of creative classroom activities. (PD)

Describes a play observation system and offers guidelines for using a recently developed play observation inventory. Two basic sociodramatic play training procedures are described which teachers can use to enhance the quality of children's play. (Author/RH)