The Benefits of Drama in Education – Innovative ideas for all subject areas

Using drama in the classroom can be a powerful tool for teachers to engage students and promote literacy development. Here are some ideas and resources from the search results:

Reader’s Theater

Reader’s theater is a type of drama where students read from a script rather than memorizing lines. This can be a great way to improve reading fluency and comprehension1.

Choose a script: Find a script that is appropriate for your students’ reading level and interests. You can find free scripts online or purchase them from websites like Teachers Pay Teachers2 3.
Assign parts: Assign parts to each student or have them choose their own. Make sure each student has a copy of the script2.
Practice reading: Have students practice reading their parts aloud individually and in groups. Encourage them to use expression and gestures to bring the story to life.

Rehearse and perform: Once students are comfortable with their parts, have them rehearse the entire script together. They can perform for their classmates or for a wider audience2.

Benefits of using Readers Theater

Improves reading comprehension: Reader’s theater can help improve reading comprehension when done consistently and strategically1.
Develops fluency: Reader’s theater can help students develop their fluency skills2.

Encourages collaboration: Reader’s theater productions encourage positive collaboration among peers. In order for the plays to be a success, readers must work as a supportive team1.
Increases motivation to read: Reader’s theater can motivate even the most reluctant readers to read and rehearse their scripts1.
Integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening: Reader’s theater is an integrated approach that involves children in sharing literature, reading aloud, writing scripts, performing with a purpose, and working collaboratively. It can help integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening in an authentic context3.

Allows freedom of expression: Reader’s theater allows students to move around and express themselves in a controlled and productive manner1.

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12 Fabulously Funny Fairytale plays

Theater Games

Theater games are activities that help students develop their acting skills while having fun. They can also be used to teach social skills, such as teamwork and communication2.

Park Bench: Three chairs are set up in a row at the front. Two actors sit on either end of the bench, and a third actor sits in the middle. The two actors on the ends have a conversation, and the actor in the middle tries to join in, but they are ignored. The actor in the middle then tries to start their own conversation, and the other two actors try to join in.

Zip, Zap, Zop: This is a classic theater game that helps students develop their focus and listening skills. Students stand in a circle and pass an imaginary energy ball to each other by saying “zip,” “zap,” or “zop.” The game gets faster and faster as students get more comfortable with it.

Yes, And: This game encourages students to be creative and collaborative. One student starts by saying a sentence, and the next student has to say “yes, and” and add to the story. The story continues around the circle, with each student building on what came before. Students are not allowed to block the action by saying no or words to that effect. This takes a few times to used to.
Freeze: This game is great for practicing improvisation skills. Two students start a scene, and at any point, another student can yell “Freeze!” The student then taps one of the actors on the shoulder and takes their place, starting a new scene based on the physical positions of the actors. This game encourages students to think on their feet and be creative. This is a great game for beginning students.

Drama for Math

Write and perform skits: Teachers can have students write and perform skits that demonstrate mathematical concepts. For instance, the class can write a skit about a grocery store checkout where they have to calculate the total cost of items and give change to the customer2.

Use drama games: Teachers can use drama games to teach math skills. For example, they can play a game called “Left/Right” where students pass a ball around and say a number sequence in order. If someone says the wrong number, they have to pass the ball to the left or right3.
Teach through problem-solving: Teachers can use drama to teach math through problem-solving. This approach focuses on ideas and sense-making and develops mathematical practices. It also allows for collaboration among students and engages them in their own learning4

Drama for Social Studies

Using some of the following ideas in social studies helps students to think critically and put themselves in different situations.

Role-playing: Students can take on the roles of historical figures or people from different cultures to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and experiences. See
Tableaux: Students can create still images to represent historical events or cultural practices, allowing them to explore the visual and emotional aspects of these topics.

Improvisation: Students can use improvisation to explore different scenarios related to social studies topics, such as how different groups might have interacted in a particular historical event.
Storytelling: Students can use drama to tell stories related to social studies topics, such as folktales from different cultures or personal narratives related to historical events.
Creative writing: Students can use drama as a way to inspire creative writing related to social studies topics, such as writing a diary entry from the perspective of a historical figure or creating a script for a historical reenactment.

Students could use social media: Students could use social media such as twitter, instagram to write posts on a chosen topic or character’s day to day life. For example: Anne Frank writing about her day to day existence in her attic.
Scripted drama assessment: Students can use drama as a way to assess their understanding of social studies topics, such as by creating a science fiction essay that connects different times and places in history.

Teaching Science Through Drama

Here are some examples of using drama for science in the classroom:

Role-playing: Students can take on the roles of scientists or historical figures in science, such as Galileo or Marie Curie, to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and experiences.
Tableaux: Students can create still images to represent scientific concepts or processes, allowing them to explore the visual and emotional aspects of these topics.
Improvisation: Students can use improvisation to explore different scenarios related to science topics, such as how different groups might have interacted in a particular scientific discovery.

Storytelling: Students can use drama to tell stories related to science topics, such as the discovery of a new species or the invention of a new technology.
Scripted drama assessment: Students can use drama as a way to assess their understanding of science topics, such as by creating a science fiction essay that connects different scientific concepts and theories.
Creative writing: Students can use drama as a way to inspire creative writing related to science topics, such as writing a diary entry from the perspective of a scientist or creating a script for a scientific reenactment.

Warm up games for virtual teaching

Attending Theater with children

Hotseating in the classroom

Tips for Teachers

Teachers may avoid using drama in the classroom because they fear it will involve tedious, time-consuming preparations or children will not take learning seriously as drama activities are playful. However, drama is an invaluable tool for educators, since it supports every aspect of literacy development3.
Teachers should view drama as a concept and a philosophy rather than a set of strict curriculum models. Drama is flexible and most drama activities do not require teachers to have direct theatre experience3.
Teachers can collaborate with drama specialists such as a performing arts teacher to discuss and create lessons and units4.

What teachers are saying

Here are some quotes and testimonials from teachers who have successfully used drama in their classrooms:

“Drama has been a game-changer in my classroom. It has helped my struggling readers become authentically engaged, make connections with texts, and participate in class discussions using critical thinking.” – Sara DuBose Ranzau, student teacher1
“Numerous studies indicate that using drama in the classroom as a means of teaching helps students learn academically, socially, and developmentally. Drama is an invaluable tool for educators, since it supports every aspect of literacy development.” – Novak Djokovic Foundation2

“Drama is a powerful tool. Through participation in theater, students develop speaking and listening skills. Students also learn to collaborate with others in accomplishing common goals. Theater arts promote creativity in problem solving.” – Brianne Gidcumb, elementary school teacher3
“Using drama activities in the classroom has been a great way to develop my students’ speaking, listening, and comprehension skills. They are more engaged and motivated to learn when they get to act out scenes or participate in theater games.” – Anonymous teacher4

Using drama within a mainstream class is beneficial for learning because it helps students learn academically, socially, and developmentally. Drama is an invaluable tool for educators, since it supports every aspect of literacy development.

It is an influential method to avoid students spending boring and motionless time in classes for long hours. Drama provides a safe environment to explore ideas without penalty or grade, develop oral language skills, solve real problems, and reflect about the concepts.

It can illuminate the human dimension of subject areas and naturally bridges subject areas. Drama strategies can be used as everyday teaching tools for a wide range of subjects, including science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts.

Drama activities can help students engage with subject topics in a more meaningful and memorable way, while also developing important skills like empathy, creativity, and critical thinking.