Drama
A small rural school in the Forest of Bowland were keen to incorporate more drama into their teaching and learning and use these techniques to explore issues of global cultural diversity. MPA matched them with drama, theatre and design practitioners and a day was dedicated each week during the second half term of the Spring Term 2011 to develop drama and performance. Staff and children were soon role playing, hot-seating, improvising, performing and using drama games to develop their empathy and add structure to sensitive discussions about the lives of others living near and far.
Impact
for children:
- developing performance skills
- listening skills such as thoughtful questioning
- speaking skills such as role play with genuine empathy, persuasive speech
- a fluency with drama techniques that can be applied to make learning more active across the curriculum
- stereotypes and preconceptions challenged
for teachers:
- a ‘toolkit’ of drama techniques that can be applied to help children learn across the curriculum
- increased confidence in approaching the teaching of speaking and listening
- advanced ability to cater to the full range of learning styles in lesson planning
