Drama Lessons for Middle Grades from an Award Winning Drama Teacher
Hello!
You may not know me or be familiar with my work. I’m Deborah Baldwin (but my friends call me Deb.) I am a recently retired award winning drama teacher of thirty-eight years. In that time, I directed over 250 plays and musicals with students and adults as well. I taught every grade level, but the bulk of my time was spent with secondary students.
Here is my resume if you’d like to see it: DeborahBaldwin.net
My Teaching Style:
Drama is a hands-on class. To this end, I’m always on my feet, modeling for my students while teaching them a host of concepts. It is not unusual to hear my classroom in chortles of laughter because humor is an outstanding way to gain a student’s attention. I empower students at an early age. Although I am always mindful of my learning objectives, I think it’s vital for students to experiment within the confines of my instruction. I encourage students to be independent and creative thinkers. Many less confident or reluctant students benefit from my teaching methods as together we hit the challenges they encounter. I am creative, intense, driven and brave–these are qualities I nurture in all my students and generally receive outstanding results.
Here is my opinion about expectations of middle school My Pet Peeve
If you are looking for drama units, lessons and plays for your students, I can help you. Here are a few of my lessons for middle grade students:
A semester unit long lesson.
Costume Design with Fairy Tale Characters
Wicked, the Broadway Musical Lesson
or this bundle with Wicked, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Biographies
or this Google Classroom version: Wicked, the Broadway Musical (Google Classroom)
or a Famous Theater Artist Biography for the Google Classroom: Sarah Bareilles
Famous Theater Artists: Lin Manuel Miranda Biography
Here is a new readers theater script lesson based on an Inca legend: The Magic Lake
I hope you’ll check out my drama education products. There are over 300 of them ready and waiting for you.
Looking for something free? Here is something for you: Free Teaching Resources Blog Hop
If you don’t find what you need, contact me. Chances are I’d be interested in creating what you are needing. That’s always fun!
One of my newest units is Peter Pan, the Broadway Musical
Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
I love you lesson plans, they are so helpful and so well thought out. The biography on Lin Manuel Miranda is of particular interest due to how many students know and love his work on In the Heights, Hamilton, Moana and more! I appreciate and agree with your hands on teaching style I think it is important that the teacher (like the actor) be present in the class (or the scene) to fully engage their class (or their ensemble).
I’m glad to hear that, Nick. What else do your students like?