Theatre Education and Literacy This presentation points out the value of drama and theatre in regards to education, and more specifically, literacy.

WHY should teachers integrate drama WHY should teachers integrate drama? (from ‘Creating Meaning Through Literature and the Arts’ by: Claudia E. Cornett) Drama deals with real life problems Drama provokes creative problem solving and decision making Drama develops verbal and nonverbal communication Drama can enhance psychological well-being Drama develops empathy Drama builds cooperation and other social skills Drama increases concentration and comprehension Drama causes reflection on moral issues and values Drama can be used to assess Drama is entertaining Drama contributes to esthetic development Drama is a learning avenue to other areas of curriculum Each of the above is true to theatre as a craft, and the use of theatre and drama as a tool to teach other academic areas. Because this presentation is geared towards theatre and literacy, it will focus on the aspects on drama in the classroom having to do with reading, writing and verbal and non-verbal communication. It will also touch upon drama as a “learning avenue to other areas of curriculum” in regards to literacy.

“The arts of music and creative drama are part and parcel of early childhood play. Children feel more secure in exploring new area when their foray is grounded in the familiar. Drama can be used in the classroom for children of any age. Students truly learn through theatre and drama, because they are experiencing their lessons, rather then simply sitting, listening and memorizing. Drama is a learning tool that is enjoyable for children, and, thus, drama makes learning enjoyable. Through the multiple intelligences, drama can reach all students. To employ such successful, natural and enjoyable processes in an integrated manner for learning new content makes eminently good sense. ”—Margaret Merrion and Janet Rubin, CREATIVE APPROACHES TO ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM

“Linguistic and social skills increase through a program of creative drama”-The Effects of Creative Drama on the Social and Oral Language Skills of Children with Learning Disabilities, R.E. de la Cruz ”…When children have been involved in the process of integrating creative drama with reading, they are not only able to better comprehend what they’ve read and acted out, but they are also able to better comprehend what they have read but do not act out, such as the written scenarios they encounter on standardized tests.”-The Effectiveness of Creative Drama as an Instructional Strategy to Enhance the Reading Comprehension Skills of Fifth-Grade Remedial Readers, Sherry DuPont Theatre and drama allow for a greater understanding of lessons learned. For example, memorizing vocabulary, does not necessarily mean that a child truly understands and will be able to apply their new words. Teaching vocabulary through dramatic activities will provide a deeper understanding, because, again, the student is learning through experiencing, rather then memorizing.

In my own experience as a theatre teacher, I have observed the relationship between theatre and literacy. Here are a few examples from my experiences in the theatre classroom… I have observed…. Bilingual students gain confidence in their English speaking skills through theatre and drama Students gain a greater vocabulary through theatre and drama Students learn about the elements of stories through theatre and drama Students learn how to sequence a story through theatre and drama Students gain greater reading comprehension skills through theatre and drama Students gain writing skills through writing scenes, monologues and entire plays Here are some of my own personal experiences with literacy and theatre. Please feel free to ask me (through e-mail or in person) to elaborate on any of my findings. Thank you.