An antismoking program for elementary schools, using a mannikin of a thirteen-year-old boy in a skit with a doctor, reveals some of the side effects of smoking, including shortness of breath, bad breath, stained teeth and fillings, and the inability to properly taste and smell. (JMF)

Describes the mounting of Ionesco's "La Lecon" through a group of junior high school students, and the subsequent videotaping of the performance for viewing by a large audience. Suggestions are given for using drama and videotapes in the language classroom. (AM)

Evaluates the effects that environmental changes in early childhood activity centers and patterns of teacher guidance have on children's literacy behavior. Finds that the children are likely to engage in voluntary literacy behaviors during free play when literacy materials are introduced and teachers guide children to use those materials. (MG)

Describes an undergraduate class simulation project used to engage student interest in and knowledge of both "The Federalist Papers" and anti-federalist writings. Discusses the importance of simulation in the classroom and provides information concerning implementation of this technique. Notes that the simulation provides experience in…

Suggests 12 strategies for helping students read social studies material with greater comprehension and increased creative interaction with text. Strategies include drama games, simulations, debates, oral histories, current events, and cross age teaching. (LS)

Describes the use of drama to give meaning and understanding to a unit on Native Americans. Students worked in small groups or "tribes" to research cultural attributes, and then acted out tribal rituals and created costumes and artifacts. The group work and the active roleplaying helped students to develop a new understanding of…

The German Club at Mayfield High School (New Mexico) plays an integral role in the school's German program. The "co-curricular" club motivates students with such activities as yearbook preparation; dance, choral, and dramatic recitals; video and Christmas parties; and picnics. Exchange students from German-speaking countries play active…

A review of the research on dramatic play indicates that it provides personal expression and catharsis of inner desires; helps the child to distinguish between reality and fantasy; provides for children's social adaptation; provides a dynamic for learning; and enhances creativity through interaction, transformation, and imagination. (TJQ)

Discusses characteristics of pretend play and how it can be used to help children with disabilities interact with their typically developing peers. Includes specific play activities and suggestions for teachers. Notes that available play space, number of toys available, and amount of time allowed also influence participation in pretend play. (HTH)

Four articles focus on children's make-believe play: (1) "Make Believe Play: Why Bother?" on the role of pretending in early learning; (2) "Fantasy and Exploration: Two Approaches to Playing" on children's imaginative styles; (3) "Infants Don't Pretend, Do They?" about developing play abilities; and (4) "Problems…

Describes an instructional approach that encourages teachers to guide children in narrating stories based on actual or imagined experiences, particularly those that transpire in the classroom. Discusses ways of incorporating events from dramatic play and everyday occurrences into storytelling activities and offers a story sampler that exemplifies…

Examined the effects of thematic fantasy play (TFP) on the perspective-taking of 27 kindergarten children by having their teacher guide them in the reenactment of fairy tales. Results demonstrated that the children exposed to TFP performed significantly higher on measures of perceptual, cognitive, and affective perspective-taking than a control…

Describes a discourse created by second graders who were deliberating about important social issues in the course of discussing a story. (BB)

Adults from the pre- and posttelevision eras were surveyed to determine whether the superhero that today's preschoolers dramatize in their play is qualitatively different from those of past childhoods. Results revealed significant changes in early childhood in heroes or play themes since the advent of television, but no significant change in…

An activity book to help elementary teachers and students explore the environment offers information and questions about spaceships; an ecology primer and poster with questions; information on animal adaptation with poster and questions; ecological and dramatic arts projects; a script for performance; and suggestions to make Earth Day celebrations…