Sunday, February 6, 2022

Why Teaching Drama in the Classroom?




Why Teach Drama in the Classroom? 

Glenda Nisthal Rosal, Last updated on February 5, 2022


Drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through performing a written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas are usually called plays, and their authors are known as playwriters or dramatists.

Which are the main elements of the drama?


In its beginnings, drama was performed on stage but in recent times it is also performed on film or the radio. However, the Ancient Greeks were the creators of the first plays and their main types; tragedy and comedy which are still used today.  Some of their outstanding playwriters were Aeschylus, Sphocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.  Their plays used to be performed in large amphitheatres so all the people could see them. 


Besides tragedy and comedy there are others types of drama such as farse, opera, melodrama, and musical drama.  

Drama at school

Since children start school, they perform different kinds of dramatic activities such as make-believe play, enabling them to make sense of their own identity while they are exploring fictional situations that have parallels in the real word. They move and interact with others though games, dialogues, role plays, reading and writing activities, among others. 

Teaching Drama is fun but is also a powerful teaching tool that teachers can use.  It helps to build the learner's confidence and self-esteem, develops and reinforce core values such as emphaty, responsability, honestity, and respect, as well as they are able to express their feelings and thoughts freely. 

 It also improves language skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as cognitive skills. Students improve their concentration mental levels and the ability to solve problems. Through drama activities, children learn to develop their social skills though working with their crew. 

Drama class is a wide open door to enjoy life!

Some others benefits to teach Drama are:



So, what kind of drama activities can teachers use in their class?

1. Using drama games and improvisation games can make drama classes a great deal of fun. Drama games are helpful for breaking the ice and developing a friendly environment in the class. 
2. Improvisation games allow drama students to develop individual confidence and skill.
3. Monologue work is a great way to ensure that each student gets individual attention and practice.
My Drama Activity-Tableaux
This is a kinestesic activity in which students make still images with their bodies to quickly represent a scene. I would use this activity to introduce the characters of story or to explain or reinforce grammar structures and vocabulary. Tableaux is helpful to develop improvisation, comprehension, and concentration.While the children make their still images, I could take them pictures and create a collage of this fun activity!

References:


Drama Resource. Why Teach Drama to Primary School Children?Farmer, D. Retrieved from https://dramaresource.com/why-teach-drama-to-primary-school-children/


Faust. The Benefits to Teach Drama for Children. Retrieved from https://www.faustworld.com/the-benefits-of-drama-for-children.asp


Kiddle. Theatre facts for kids. Retrieved from https://kids.kiddle.co/Theatre


Orchids. Ten Benefits of Learning Drama at Schools. Retrieved from https://www.orchidsinternationalschool.com/blog/creativity/ten-benefits-of-learning-drama-at-schools/#:~:text=range%20of%20purposes.-,Drama%20and%20theatrics%20give%20children%20opportunities%20to%20understand%20and%20deal,helping%20them%20lead%20better%20lives.





      

                                 




                 







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