Theatre and drama have a long history of relationships with human behaviours and education. Drama in school, however did not come on the scene until early 20th century. Progressive educators emphasized students doing rather than just reading and memorizing (Cornett, 2011).
Drama capitalizes on children’s natural desire to pretend and take roles during play. Drama expands the number of roles students can assume, which enlarges perspectives.
Drama grabs attention with its novelty. When used to introduce a lesson, drama causes students to tap into feelings, speculate, and want to learn more. Drama helps students to concentrate, focus, and control their body, mind and voice.
Studies show drama can boost verbal and visual creative thinking in diverse groups from the young to the disadvantaged (Deasy, 2002).
Drama involvement increases fluency in verbal language and nonverbal communication (use of body and face ‘language’). Children learn to match words with actions as they do focused work in pantomime and scenes requiring speaking in different roles.
Writing A1
Written communication into action (dialogues, text messages and chat)
Text production using simple sentence connectors such as “and” “but” “then”
A1 Written (also relevant for practicing speaking and listening)
Text production using simple sentence connectors such as “and” “but” “then”.
Written communication into action (dialogues, text messages and chat).