Creative Drama in Language Arts

Who should use it?
Background information
What is it?
Who should use it?
Why use it?
Improvisation tips
Educator tip sheet
Webliography
Bibliography
Classroom application
TEKS
IRA & TExES Standards

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All teachers should being using drama in the classroom. Research has proven the benefits drama can have on students' cognitive and affective development. Unfortunately, there is a gap between knowledge of value and application (Sun, 2003).

Why do teachers still hesitate to use creative drama?
  • Teachers become overwhelmed by all the terms
  • Drama is viewed as time consuming and unnecessary
  • Teachers are unfamiliar with conducting drama activities
  • Teachers are afraid the students will not take learning seriously since drama activities are more like play

But most creative drama does not require the techer to have direct theatre experience (Sun, 2003).

Sylvia, a first grade teacher, notes a special talent is not required. "'There's not an artistic bone in my body,' she laughed. 'You just learn to do it. I'm amazed at what I can do, when I let myself, and I'm amazed at what the kids can do.'" (Rodia, 2003, p. 43).