1. Finding the spotlight for the right reasons
Engaging challenging students in Drama
Presentation by Trent Bockman

2. Types of students 1. Boy – jock – ‘Drama is for girls’
2. Boy/Girl – Shy, reserved, high anxiety

3. Types of students 3. Girl – ‘bitchy’ #h8daworld
4. Girl/boy – easily distracted, actively disengaged

4. Types of students 5. Boy/girl – Drama won’t teach me anything
6. Boy/Girl – loves performing/attention/everything

5. Understanding the student
What’s behind the behaviour

6. The idea of fear and how to alleviate it
There are, without exception, no student who doesn't have the desire to be a part of what the others are doing to feel in their eyes 'normal', it just depends on how deep you have to dig to find where the problem lies.
The idea of fear and how to alleviate it

7. How do we find the ‘good’ in each student?
- How to find the good in each student - in essence its trial and error - based solely on the individual but a couple of ideas:
1. KNOW THE STUDENT - Observation - see how they work from afar and seek advice (although don’t draw conclusions) from other teachers
2. POSITIVE STATUS - in the students eye you're the enemy that is usually in a power struggle with you - remove the power issue eg - Here is a way OUR class can run - what do you want to add?
3. ENGAGING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM - forming connections when they're most comfortable - doing it the right way
How do we find the ‘good’ in each student?

8. Choices we can make as teachers

9. The spectrum of teaching
Mr. Joseph
Kool Kris

10. Teacher choices Rule 1 – content must be relevant to the student
3-1 system positive v negative
Must lead by example in EVERYTHING you teach - particularly enjoyment and no judgement
Individual student = individual approach
Embrace your own personality and use that as the basis for your style
When you stuff up, make something of your apology - make yourself human to the student - 'I'm just like you'
Do NOT, under any circumstances, let another student talk over you, nor do you talk over them – the tone of a Drama room is set by you, and you manipulate where it goes and when it goes

11. Teacher choices
My 3 classroom rules + equality and no judgement - key to success
Use of tone is everything
Understand how your class perceives you - play TO that if you can (unless the observation is negative), then change it
Seek that open and honest feedback and no matter how trivial, implement and make note of those changes in your next class
Never make it personal
Be different - provide a definitive ALTERNATIVE to his/her mainstream learning
The 'mob mentality’ can be your friend as much as it can work against you (I don’t mean shaming).

12. Strategies for the classroom
How we can change the room.

13. The space How is the room set up – is it inviting and soothing
Creating a safe space – importance to success – demonstrate it first.
Reading the room - understanding your audience
Engage from the outset (forget the roll)

14. Instructions
Collaboration work - giving ownership and responsibility - validated their work
Clear, firm instructions that are simple
Never waiver from them
Find the hook

15. Instructions
Make little problems early on big problems - set the bar high
Explain how things are fair to them - how are you helping them (eg 3,2,1)
Make consequences different
If the kid absolutely dead set refuses etc etc - make their experience not fun and have amazing fun with the rest of the class - THEN include them a positive way and forget what just happened and build on the positives.

16. How do they impact our decisions?
Different educational settings and different social/cultural backgrounds
How do they impact our decisions?

17. Drama activities and techniques to ‘sell’ Drama
Make it relevant to them
Use activities that cater to the students individual needs
Drama activities and techniques to ‘sell’ Drama

18. Types of students 1. Boy – jock – ‘Drama is for girls’
2. Boy/Girl – Shy, reserved, high anxiety

19. Types of students 3. Girl – ‘bitchy’ #h8daworld
4. Girl/boy – easily distracted, actively disengaged

20. Types of students 5. Boy/girl – Drama won’t teach me anything
6. Boy/Girl – loves performing/attention/everything

21. Restorative Practice vs Punitive Consequences
What is it and how/when should you use it.
REFLECT
REPAIR
RECONNECT

23. Group discussion and collaboration
What are your kids like?
Group discussion and collaboration

24. Questions and discussion

25. Thank you for listening!