06 Jun 2012 7 Comments
in AIE, alternative education, Alternative Schools, Arts Administration, Arts Advocacy, Arts In Education, Arts Infusion, Arts Integration, Arts Reform, Charter Schools, Creative Process, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Dialogue, Drama Teacher, Education, High School, High School Education, Home Schooling, Language, Learning, Middle School, Middle School Education, Principals, Private Schools, Process Drama, Schools, Teachers, Teaching, Teaching Artist, Thinking Tags: Arts in Education, Children's Theater, Curriculum, drama, Education, Musical Theater, Parents, Performing Arts, students, Teachers, Teaching Artists, Theater Education
A Fourth Grade Classroom:
I was asked the question: “What is a Drama Teacher?” when I had announced that I am one.
According to a young lady , who I had the pleasure to work with that day, a Drama Teacher is:
“Someone who teaches others to exaggerate emotions so they can be Drama Queens.”
I think that pretty much says it all.
Jun 06, 2012 @ 18:29:03
LOL!
Jun 06, 2012 @ 19:42:46
Well put.
But here’s another reason we should have Drama in the lower grades – kids need to learn (and are NOT learning) “stage presence” and “poise.” How to wait silently in the wings until their cue. How to project their voices to the back of the room when speaking, and how to speak to a roomful of people without whispering – even when they’re dying a little inside from shyness. These are life skills that Drama teachers teach well.
Also, they need practice memorizing their lines. And their multiplication tables. Their spelling words, and their friends’ parents’ names. Rote memorization is frowned on in education today, but it is still a good skill to have. Drama makes it fun. Who said you had to drone on and on when reciting, “Two plus two is four, four plus four is eight, eight plus eight is sixteen…” little inchworms?
Drama – or, really, the production side of the house – teaches kids to build, paint, and get messy with abandon – but also with a purpose. Unlike painting on canvas, painting sets leads to a very specific effect. And learning how to achieve that effect is a valuable skill. Lighting, too – and sound.
Drama gets kids up and moving. Lord knows, our kids need more encouragement and opportunity to do that.
We need Drama programs in school.
Jun 07, 2012 @ 06:00:49
You gotta love what comes out of the mouths of babes!
Jun 07, 2012 @ 08:37:27
Her comment made my day.
Jun 07, 2012 @ 12:05:32
Ahhh, from the mouths of babes.
Jun 11, 2012 @ 12:40:02
If they are right, my daughters don’t need a drama teacher. they are already drama queens…A drama teacher, to me, gives life to a written text or dialogue. Priceless.
Jun 11, 2012 @ 15:15:43
not just the written text, but explores so much more. Thanks Muriel. Ahhh…two drama queens in the making!