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Superhero Drama: Captivating Classroom Techniques

June 12, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Superhero Drama: Captivating Classroom Techniques

If you are a new drama teacher for middle school, you may find that although the students are excited they have no idea what to expect. Additionally, they may be reluctant to participate or even disinterested (how could anyone be disinterested in theater?) because your class could be a pre-elective and everyone takes it. Or maybe the school counselor plopped them in your class so they get their arts credit completed. I can help you! This post concerns superhero drama: captivating classroom techniques.

This happened to me. Many years ago, when I discovered I had students that fit this aforementioned description, I completely reorganized my lesson plans. Instead of the traditional lesson you might teach beginners (intro. to theater, breathing exercises, monologues and duets) I taught with non-threatening and more group exercises. One thing that always worked with them was superheroes.

Superhero Drama: Captivating Classroom Techniques

Superheroes have always fascinated audiences, capturing the imagination of both young and old. Their tales of courage, conflict, and victory make them perfect tools for engaging students in the drama classroom. Simply put, super heroes are a safe subject with them. Using superhero themes can spark students’ creativity. In addition it can make learning more relatable, and deepen their understanding of dramatic arts. Here’s how you can leverage superheroes to create an engaging drama classroom experience.

The Magnetic Appeal of Superheroes

Superheroes embody themes like good versus evil, identity, and transformation and everyone understands those themes. Additionally, they are rich in dramatic potential. By incorporating these familiar and exciting characters into drama lessons, you can immediately capture students’ attention and make learning more engaging.

Super Hero Lesson Number One

Start by analyzing popular superheroes. Discuss their backstories, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. This familiar territory makes character analysis more accessible and exciting for students. Plus, it helps them understand the nuances of character development.

The first lesson I teach them is Storytelling with Postcards Super Hero Themed. Students are placed in small groups. Their challenge is to select five postcard cards at random from a box or hat. The group creates a story about a super hero integrating the postcards images, words, or themes into the story. But, the story must be about you as the super hero. Talk about fun! Students enjoy telling the story together–see? No performing alone. For more information, check out the lesson here.

Lesson Plan Number Two: Costume Design and Stagecraft

Designing sets and costumes for superhero-themed performances can enhance the visual appeal of drama and teach students about stagecraft. This hands-on approach can make the learning experience more engaging and memorable. Encouraging students to create their own superheroes taps into their creativity. It allows them to apply their understanding of character development in a very relaxed manner. This activity not only engages students but also helps them develop their storytelling abilities. Plus, students can study costume design at the same time. Check out this resource here.

Lesson Number Three: Playwriting and the Monologue

Superhero stories are rich with conflict and moral dilemmas, perfect for exploring plot development and thematic elements in drama. Discussing these common superhero conflicts can make complex dramatic concepts more accessible and engaging. Another lesson which they enjoy is writing a monologue as themselves as the super hero. You might think this would be too difficult for your students, but if you give them a framework they will be successful. Check out this resource here.

Lesson Number Four: Encouraging Movement and Tableaux

Superhero scenarios are perfect for practicing movement and tableaux–two crucial components in drama. Tableaux is an easy concept for everyone to understand. There are many ways to demonstrate it through the use of super heroes–maybe a group shows the moment Super Man protects someone from a monster? Or Wonder Woman holds back the ocean so that a group of boaters aren’t drowned by it?

Students are familiar with super heroes jumps, falls, lunges and spins. By studying movement using the super hero theme, students yet again feel comfortable moving around the room as they learn various elements of movement. These scenarios often involve unexpected situations, requiring quick thinking and adaptability, which keeps students on their toes. Using those lessons to lead into studying tableau, makes for effortless studying of tableaux. Check out this lesson here.

Lesson Number Five: Improvisation

Superhero scenarios are perfect for practicing improvisation, a crucial skill in drama. These scenarios often involve unexpected situations and require quick thinking and adaptability, By doing so, this keeps students on their toes. My favorite way to teach improvisation to novices is through a few warm up exercises. This exercise is titled “My Three Headed Monster” but it would be just as fun if the monster became a three headed super hero. Pick it up here (page one) and here (page two) Again, I have found this is always a successful teaching experience because students sit together on the stage. Although they are speaking spontaneously they must work out answers together.

Reflective Learning

Make sure that after each activity you encourage students to reflect on their performances. Process is everything! Discussing what they learned and how they felt embodying their superheroes can deepen their understanding and appreciation of drama. Grab this bundle which can last over five days Super here.

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Super Hero Quotes as Writing Prompts: Lesson Number Six

Using quotes spoken by super heroes for writing prompts is useful in this situation, too. Here are a few I like:

“With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility.” Uncle Ben in Spider Man
“Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” Iron Man
“You are much stronger than you think you are. Trust me.” Super Man
“You don’t need to be a super hero. You just need to be better than you were yesterday.”
“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of her strength, but by the strength of her heart.” Wonder Woman
“The woman who follows the crowd will grow no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.” Super Woman

Using superhero themes in the drama classroom can transform lessons into engaging, imaginative experiences. It is easy to connect dramatic principles to beloved characters. You can make learning more exciting and relatable for students. So, be courageous! Embrace your inner hero and lead your students on an epic journey through the world of drama, where creativity and engagement soar.

Have you ever taught using a super hero theme to teach concepts? I’d love to hear about it. Just email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Unveiling Reader’s Theater: What You Never Knew

February 7, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Even though I lacked familiarity with Reader’s Theater as a student, once I was a teacher its advantages surpassed any apprehensions I harbored. Let’s talk–unveiling Reader’s Theater: what you never knew. In today’s dynamic educational landscape, teachers are continually exploring innovative methods to engage students and foster deeper understanding.

Unveiling Reader’s Theater: What You Never Knew

One technique gaining popularity is Reader’s Theater. Reader’s Theater is a powerful instructional tool that combines reading, performance, and collaborative learning. Particularly in upper elementary classrooms, Reader’s Theater offers numerous benefits, from improving literacy skills to enhancing social and emotional development. Let’s delve into why incorporating Reader’s Theater can be a game-changer for educators and students alike.

Boosting Literacy Skills

One of the most important reasons Reader’s Theater is beneficial is its power in boosting literacy skills. It provides an interactive platform for students to actively engage with text. By taking on different roles and reading aloud, students develop fluency, comprehension, and expression. According to a study published in The Reading Teacher, students who participated in Reader’s Theater experienced significant gains in reading fluency compared to those who did not. The repetitive reading inherent in rehearsals helps reinforce vocabulary and comprehension, leading to improved reading proficiency over time.

Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here

Fostering Collaboration and Social Skills

If you were to ask me what is the greatest asset of theater, I’d say its adaptability to integrate into any core subject. However, it wasn’t until I studied for my Masters in Arts Integration that this became glaringly apparent to me. Any time it is used in the classroom, your students level of engagement increases. In addition, collaboration lies at the heart of Reader’s Theater. Working together to interpret scripts, assign roles, and rehearse scenes cultivates teamwork and communication skills. A survey conducted by the National Education Association found that 89% of teachers reported improvements in students’ collaboration skills after implementing Reader’s Theater in their classrooms. Moreover, performing in front of classmates builds confidence and self-esteem while encouraging empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Enhancing Creativity and Critical Thinking

Reader’s Theater encourages students to think critically and creatively as they interpret characters and scenes. For some students, it is the first time they see a story in a book as something other than words on a page. The story comes alive! An analysis conducted by the International Journal of Education and the Arts revealed that students engaged in Reader’s Theater demonstrated higher levels of creativity and critical thinking compared to traditional reading instruction. Analyzing text, identifying character motivations, and making decisions about performance elements stimulate higher-order thinking skills. By the way, gifted and talented students groove on unique learning and Reader’s Theater is one way to reach them.

Addressing Multiple Learning Styles

Every student learns differently, and Reader’s Theater caters to a variety of learning styles. Visual learners benefit from seeing the text come to life through performance, while auditory learners engage with the spoken word and sound effects. According to a report by the American Federation of Teachers, Reader’s Theater accommodates diverse learning styles and promotes inclusive classrooms. By providing a multi-sensory experience, Reader’s Theater ensures that all students have the opportunity to succeed and shine in the classroom.

Cultivating a Love for Literature

Reader’s Theater breathes new life into literature, history, etc. transforming reading assignments into dynamic and memorable experiences. A survey conducted by Scholastic found that 78% of students reported enjoying reading more after participating in Reader’s Theater activities. By engaging students’ imaginations and emotions, Reader’s Theater ignites a passion for storytelling and fosters a lifelong love of reading. As students connect emotionally with characters and narratives, they develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper appreciation for the power of words. A by- product of passively studying another culture through a Reader’s Theater script, encourages students to be more accepting of one another. Can I prove it? Nope, I just know from my many years of teaching and directing experience.

Reader’s Theater in the Multicultural Classroom

I am aware of the many challenges our teachers are facing at this point and time. As a member of several Facebook teacher groups, I hear them lament about their worries and frustrations. One of their major challenges they are having is keeping the students engaged in their learning. In addition, the students are unkind to one another to a degree we haven’t seen in our recent past. I am as concerned about our students’ futures as the teachers.

I can’t fix everything, but I can help. In my thirty-eight years of teaching, I saw the need for multiculturalism right from the first day of teaching. What is multiculturalism? Simply, put, multiculturalism is defined as allowing many individual cultures to exist within one country. It is the idea that many different types of cultures can exist within one nation. But how to celebrate the cultures? Many years ago, I began adapting multicultural folk tales into readers theater plays and friend, it works! Students enjoy learning about other cultures through Reader’s Theater.

Looking for something to celebrate spring? Pick up The Little Girl and the Winter Whirlwinds here.

The Legend of How the Bee Got Its Stinger Reader’s Theater

For example, I created a Reader’s Theater script for The Legend of How the Bee Got Its Stinger based on a Cherokee Indian legend. The story: Back in ancient times, when the people were purer and could converse with the animals. The Creator would visit with them. The people asked the Creator for something that was “sweet” to the taste. So, the Creator sent the Bee, but the Bee had no stinger. Down came the Bee and it found a suitable tree in which, they could build their hive, live in, produce honey, multiply and feed its young. Soon the people came to the Bee and asked for some of the sweet syrup and the Bee gave each person a container full. The people loved the syrup and greedily ate it, then went back to the Bee for more. What happens next? You’ll just have to purchase the resource to find out! Looking for another Native American story? Check out: 370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

The Sprightly Tailor Reader’s Theater Unit

The Story of the Sprightly Tailor is another fun one and so unique! This story, from the British Isles, is spooky, scary and funny all at the same time. It is about a swift-footed and energetic (sprightly) tailor who undertakes to sew some trews (trousers) at night, among the haunted ruins of an old church. Along enters a ghost! You’ll just have to see what happens next…You can find it here: Comical Readers Theater Unit The Sprightly Tailor.

Abdullah’s Gold Reader’s Theater Unit

Abdullah’s Gold is a story with a moral which students can understand and readily identify. Abdullah was one of the richest men in town, but you could easily mistake him for a beggar. It was his theory that since there were so many people out to rob a rich man, it was safe to pretend to be poor. And so he did.

But he really didn’t have to pretend. Stingy to the core he found it very easy to be poor. So what if people sniggered and children called out, “Kanjoos! Kanjoos!” (miser, miser), whenever he passed by in his worn-out clothes. Abdullah became more and more content with his growing pile of money as the years went by. But one night, something happens to Abdullah’s money and things were never the same for him. You can find Abullah’s Gold here.

Unveiling Reader’s Theater: What You Never Knew

Looking for more information about Reader’s Theater? Check out: Learning Through Reader’s Theater Scripts

You can check out all of my readers theater scripts at: Dramamommaspeaks

As you can see, incorporating Reader’s Theater into the upper elementary classroom offers a wealth of benefits, from enhancing literacy skills to fostering collaboration and creativity. By providing a dynamic and interactive approach to reading instruction, teachers can inspire students to become confident readers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners. Plus, let’s not forget how the study of cultures can encourage students to have a global perspective and culturally sensitive. Who knows? You may enjoy it just as much as your students! At least, that is my hope. Let’s embrace the transformative potential of Reader’s Theater and empower our students to shine on stage and in life.

What Reader’s Theater have you used in your classroom? What discoveries did you make by implementing it? I’d love to hear about it. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Unlocking Creativity: Teaching Storytelling in the Classroom

January 3, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

“Unlocking Creativity: Teaching Storytelling in the Classroom” is not just a title, it’s an invitation to explore strategies that make teaching this timeless skill an enriching and transformative experience for both educators and students alike. Let’s dive into the art of storytelling and discover how it opens doors to boundless creativity within the classroom.

Understanding the Basics of Storytelling:

In my experience, I’ve found that students enjoy storytelling. In a theater class, it is much lesson threatening than performing a monologue. Consequently, I always include a storytelling unit in my yearly lesson plans. When you begin teaching storytelling to your students, first introduce the fundamental elements of a story. Although your students may be aware of these elements, sometimes a quick review of the key components is necessary. Reiterate stories which have characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Use examples from literature, movies, or real-life situations to illustrate these concepts. This makes the learning more relatable to your students. Or use storytelling as a warm up exercise for several days. Check out: Storytelling Postcard Stories in my TPT store, or my Payhip store.

Immersive Storytelling Activities for Early Finishers:

Engage your students in interactive activities that immerse them in the world of storytelling. One idea is to create a storytelling corner in your classroom. Your early finishers will appreciate this. Encourage them to collaborate on developing and sharing their stories. Again, a reminder of a story’s components could be useful, especially if students are working independently. Generally, students need your help in the fleshing out of the story–that is describing settings, characters, and emotions.

Essentially, you each them the five C’s, Circumstance, Curiosity, Characters, Conversations, and Conflicts that captivate audiences’ interest. The circumstance is all about establishing the scene. A storyteller must provide essential information to their audience including — when, where, and why.

In addition, after a teacher finishes teaching storytelling the culminating activity could be a storytelling day. If you’d like a one week lesson which teaches storytelling, check out this one at ( Teacherspayteachers.com ) or at my Payhip store).

Utilize Technology:

Embrace technology as a tool to enhance storytelling experiences. Platforms like digital storytelling apps, interactive whiteboards, or podcast creation tools can make the process more dynamic. Students can explore multimedia elements to enhance their narratives, including images, music, and sound effects. There are a plethora’s worth of apps. for storytelling whether your students are in lower elementary or high school. If you are looking for a site where your students can generate stories on line, check out Boomwriter, Nawal, Storybird.

Encourage Freewriting Sessions:

Foster a love for writing by incorporating freewriting sessions into your lessons. Set aside dedicated time for students to let their imaginations run wild without worrying about grammar or structure. This practice helps them discover their unique voice and allows creativity to flow freely. The Writing Process, expresses it, “ increases the flow of ideas and reduces the chance that you’ll accidentally censor a good idea. Additionally, it helps to increase fluency second-language learners—i.e., the ability to produce written language easily as opposed to accuracy.”

Showcase Diverse Stories:

Introduce a variety of stories from different cultures, genres, and perspectives. Exposing students to diverse narratives only helps to broaden their understanding of the world. Additionally, it inspires them to explore various storytelling styles. Teachers can encourage discussions about the cultural and emotional aspects of these stories. Plus, it is such fun! If you are ready to embark on reader’s theater or play production as vehicles for storytelling, check out my blog post, The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important

Have you introduced your students to Kamishibai storytelling? Check it out here

Incorporate Storytelling in Different Subjects

I strongly urge you to integrate storytelling into various subjects, not just drama class or language arts. Whether it’s creating historical narratives, science fiction stories, or math-related scenarios, connecting storytelling to different subjects makes learning more holistic and enjoyable. One of our biggest challenges in this great big world is understanding one another, especially our cultures. If you’d like to learn more about integrating drama into core classes, check out: How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

Peer Feedback and Collaboration:

I find it you foster a collaborative environment where students can share their stories with peers, reluctant students are less disinterested in your class. Implement peer feedback sessions, emphasizing constructive criticism and positive reinforcement. This not only improves storytelling skills but also enhances communication and teamwork. Here’s a way to incorporate Kamishibai storytelling in the elementary classroom: Storytelling| Student Created Pictures Unit for Upper Elementary.

Celebrate Student Achievements:

Another way to create opportunities for students is to showcase their storytelling prowess. Whether through class presentations, storytelling festivals, or publishing a class anthology, celebrating their achievements builds confidence and reinforces the value of storytelling. Pick up a FREE speech rubric here: Free Speech Communications Editable Persuasive Speech Rubric.

Guest Speakers and Storytelling Experts:

Invite storytellers, authors, or professionals to share their experiences with your students. Guest speakers can provide valuable insights, tips, and inspiration. Plus they can reinforce the idea that storytelling is a skill with real-world applications. If you pick up a copy of this storytelling unit, I included links to professional storytellers’ performances.

Assessment through Reflection:

Choosing what a teacher wants to focus on in storytelling is important. My advice is to focus on creativity, clarity, and emotional impact. Encourage your students to reflect on their own storytelling journey, identifying areas of growth and setting goals for improvement. This reflective process reinforces the learning experience and encourages a growth mindset.

In conclusion, teaching storytelling in the classroom is more than imparting a set of skills. It’s about nurturing creativity, empathy, and effective communication. By implementing these strategies, we empower our students to become confident storytellers. It equips with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the world with imagination and resilience. I encourage you to embrace the power of storytelling, and watch your students’ narratives unfold into vibrant tapestries of expression and understanding.

Recently, my daughter asked me to record the story of the time I saw my father’s ghost walking in a hospital’s hallways. I was flattered that she remembered the story and wanted to share it with others. Do you think people would like to hear this story? It’s a true story.

How have you used storytelling in your classroom? I’d love to hear about it. You can contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com.

Unlocking the Secrets of Elementary Theater Class: A Comprehensive Guide

June 14, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Unlocking the Secrets of Elementary Theater Class: A Comprehensive Guide

At this time of year, many newly employed teachers are perusing the internet for lessons for their classes. Today I’m going to discuss unlocking the secrets of elementary theater class: a comprehensive guide.

A little history about me–My first job was as an English teacher in a junior high school. Bear in mind that I was certified to teach English, but had never taught it or even experienced teaching it as a student teacher. My student teaching was in theater which in the 1970s was almost unheard of in the mid-west.

Anyway, I remember they gave me this HUGE book with all of the benchmarks or objectives I was to reach. It was so full of jargon, I had to sit and translate it into layman’s English. Finally, I got the hang of it.

My Teaching Journey

When I began teaching middle school theater in the mid 90s (yikes), no one seemed to be clear on what they wanted me to cover. I came into the position with twenty years of teaching and directing experience outside the classroom, so I knew what to do in those circumstances. Continuing in this position for thirteen years, we then moved to Estes Park, CO which was a dream we never thought would occur. We loved it!

While in Colorado for six years, I taught a creative dramatics class to second through fifth grade students in a home school enrichment program called Apex Home School Enrichment. The classes were fifty-five minutes in length, once a week. I saw around 175 students a week over three days. Because I came to the position with so much teaching experience, it was very easy for me to create a curriculum , because I knew what worked and what didn’t. I hope I can pass along some of this experience to you now.

Unlocking the Secrets of Elementary Theater Class: A Comprehensive Guide

To be frank, there are good and not-so-good parts of being the only theater teacher in a school. The good is that you can make your own decisions as to the content you teach without having to go through a department chair for their approval. The greatest challenge I believe is that because you are alone in teaching the subject, you don’t have anyone to bounce ideas off of who truly understands what you are teaching.

I know what that’s like. Having taught for over thirty-eight years, I’ve felt alone many times in my career. Plus, when you are just starting out its easy to become overwhelmed by all the necessary details. You probably say to yourself, do I have to create all these lessons all by myself. The answer is no.

Where can I find creative dramatics lessons?

You can join some fancy membership website and spend a lot of money buying lessons you may ever need. Maybe you purchase the membership at the beginning of the year because it sounded like a really good deal. And maybe it is. Perhaps you discover after assessing your students for a week or so that this website doesn’t offer what you need. You feel stuck because you paid your money and well, the lessons will suffice.

There is nothing worse than the nagging feeling that you are not doing something especially useful for your students. I’ve been there and I understand. I bet deep in your soul you know these are not the lessons your students need and really, you need to work ala carte! You want to pick and choose what you cover with your students, planning a month or two at a time. Check out my latest article in One Classroom Over magazine.

Many times when teaching elementary students, in my opinion, there is too much emphasis placed on the wrong aspects of theater. The secret to unlocking curriculum is go right to ala carte!

Here are some things you do not need to cover:

Scene study
Monologues
Writing a play
A comprehensive study of the history of theater
Memorizing large quantities of lines
Performing in a play longer than fifteen minutes
Performing in a musical longer than 30 minutes
Stock characters–Greek and Roman theater helped flesh out stock characters as a concept, but many of the ones we have now would not originate until much, much later.

When I taught these creative dramatics lessons in this particular order I began with the easiest concepts and progressed to the most challenging. This was a pass/fail course. I gave a daily participation grade as well.

Here are some concepts they do need to study:

Tableau (1 day)–Tableau is a staple of theater and a non-threatening concept which beginning theater students can learn. Students learn how to make stage pictures (which is one of the basic of directing as well), however they don’t have to say anything. You can find my tableau lessons here:
. Chanting (1 day)–Chanting, (in my TPT store) or a repeated word or phrase used to illicit an effect is the second component I teach novices. Got some questions about teaching middle school? You can also find it in my Made by Teachers store at: Chanting
Movement (2 days)–Just like tableau, students enjoy creative movement because there is no speaking. Plus, it does a great job of giving students some physical exercise which they sorely need.
Storytelling–(3 days) To learn to tell a story with all of its parts (beginning, middle and end, etc.) is an important skill. You can also find it in my Payhip store at: Storytelling Unit
Parts of the stage–(1 day) Students have a difficult time understanding these labels unless they are learned right along with performing. So, keep that in mind.
Improvisation (2 days)–Some advice for you: never begin your year by throwing students into improvisation. It’s terribly difficult for the novice actor or those who are reluctant about the class. Build up their trust for at least a month. Take it in baby steps. Try this drama circle for Halloween!
Mask making (2 days)–Students enjoy creating masks and using them in movement pieces or to create a character. My advice? Use animal masks which are premade or they can create their own.
Costume Design (2 days)–Who doesn’t like costume design? Depending upon the time of year, I like to teach about costume design with a thematic approach. In this case, it’s Halloween characters or teach with fairy tale characters.
Components of a Stage (1 day) –It’s best to teach these positions as students study set design so they can apply the information you give them.
Set Design (2 days)– Teaching how to draw a rendering of a set is super useful and fun!
Stage Properties (4 days)–Creating and making a stage prop is a magnet for student engagement. Maybe you can make a prop which is used in the class play, such as snowflakes for a play, Ojisan and the Grateful Statues which is set in winter.
Performance (1 week) You can choose to direct your students in a short one act class play, readers theater or a radio theater play-I liked to switch it up every now and then using something different. Word of caution–don’t have one class performing a play while the others are studying radio theater. You will make yourself crazy.
Audience etiquette (weekly)–You can teach how to be a good audience member every day if you like. Reminding students of what a quiet, attentive audience looks like goes a long way with them.
Warm up Exercises–You can never go wrong with a good warm-up exercise. Here is one which always works–Firecracker Freeze Tag

If you’d like you can purchase a bundle of them at a discounted cost right here: Theater Arts Lessons for Grades 3 to 5

Unlocking the Secrets of Elementary Theater Class: A Comprehensive Guide

In 2018, I opened my store on Teacherspayteachers.com. My plan was to recoup the pension I lost by staying home with our daughters when they were very young. I understood that I would lose half of my pension at the time of my retirement, but to this day I have no regrets. This was a real privilege and I’m aware that many educators don’t have the luxury to do the same. To this day, I know our daughters almost as well as they do themselves because I was with them when they were young. I treasure that. The aforementioned words in blue are links to my resources which you are welcome to use in your classroom.

If you need defenses for your lessons, check out National Core Arts Standards: A Conceptual Framework for Arts Learning

Do you have any questions? One feature of my business is that I am available for any teacher who needs a bit of advice or direction for their theater class, no matter the grade level. You can find me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

April 18, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

Have you ever experienced a “Eureka” moment while teaching? You know those moments where everything just clicks and everyone is surprised, especially you? In this case it was super heroes. Let’s talk about 9 compelling reasons why you need lessons using super heroes.

I’ve shared several times that I taught a pre-elective drama class to sixth graders for thirteen years. If you’d like more information about that time, check out: How to Make Your Drama Class More Successful –Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching-Middle School. One of the most exhausting parts of it was the constant lesson planning.

If you are at all like me, you know that the “lesson planning monkey” on your back is demanding. And relentless. Finally, in desperation one week, I took a stab and did something completely spontaneous with my students. I used super heroes in all my lessons for a week. The students were thrilled and I was, too!

Did you know that super heroes have been a part of our world for nearly one hundred years?

During the late 1930’s to 1950’s, the Golden Age of Comic Books were created. Modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity among the masses. The superhero archetype was created and many well-known characters were introduced, including Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Wonder Woman. Most superheroes served as a figure who inspired hope. This hero could save us all from dark and difficult times. Superhero stories promote the ideas of peace, safety and freedom. Some experts consider this message a necessary reassurance in difficult times. The message isn’t about a country succeeding, but recognition that there are others with similar hope for a peaceful future

If I’ve convinced you to consider utilizing super heroes in your teaching, read on!

9 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Lessons Using Super Heroes

When I began writing this blog post, I ran on to a wonderful website, Momjunction.com who stated:

Reason #1: Superhero play gives kids the chance to pretend to be strong and invincible,

Reason #2: They encourage students to make new friends and helps them develop an identity outside of real life.

Reason #3: Super heroes help children explore moral values and dilemmas and to establish what they and others perceive as right and wrong.

Reason #4: They help children build their confidence. Exposing students to the fantastic world of superheroes may help them come out of the shell and encourage them to face the world with renewed confidence.

Reason #5: Also, they act as role models. Superheroes can be good role models as they teach children various attributes such as courage, honesty, humility, fighting spirit, sense of responsibility, and leadership.

Reason #6: Super heroes instill compassion. Because they are aware of their superiority, it gives the a different perspective on others. They know that they could destroy most everything and everyone. Consequently, they understand their actions–both physical and emotional are not only necessary but need to be governed at all times.

What Superheroes Teach Us About Strength, Teamwork, and Joy

Reason #7: They teach willpower and courage. Super heroes don’t give up at the first failure. They keep trying until they read their goal.

Reason #8: As you might expect, they model teamwork. When super heroes work together they know they must share the burden of the challenge and employ the best in each other. All team members respect each other’s opinions and capabilities while collectively working towards the common goal.

Reasons #9 They are just plain fun. Super Heroes and their quests take us to a different place in our imaginations where anything is possible. Pick up some fun supplies for your super hero week here: Super Hero Teaching Supplies

Have I convinced you yet to use super heroes in your teaching?

This is How I Can Help You

Maybe you need some ready-made lessons? I have a brand new Dramamommaspeaks store where you can purchase a few lessons with a superhero theme.

Each lessons focuses on a different theme–playwriting (the monologue), tableau and movement, costume design and storytelling.

A teacher could use them as is in their drama classroom or a reading teacher could integrate them into a unit about super heroes. Usually students in grades 5 to 8 enjoy them the most, but you know your students the best so you decide. You can purchase them at Payhip.com or Teacherspayteacher.com.

My Teaching Style

You may find my lessons to be quite unique–there’s a reason. Since I taught theater classes for nearly forty years, I had the rare opportunity to watch theater subjects unfold and change over many years. I got to see first hand what worked and what wasn’t so successful. For instance, there was a time when we didn’t even try to teach technical theater, but now we have lots of units about them.

During this time, I noticed that middle and elementary teachers were using themed units to teach particular concepts or objectives. The students appeared very excited by them. Hence, when I was exhausted from planning I turned to using themes to teach theater concepts and it worked wonderfully. Here is one for Halloween: Halloween Drama Lessons and Units

If you want to learn more about how to integrate drama into your classroom, check out: How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

What are some themed units you’ve taught? I’d love to hear about them. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com and let’s chat!

How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

March 30, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Today, I want to blog about “How to Excite Students With Drama Integration”–one of my favorite subjects! I have an Instagram Profile which I maintain regularly. My followers are comprised of teachers who see the importance of drama but are unconfident using it. They are looking for a teaching method concerning how to excite students with drama integration.

Usually that’s not what they mention, however. It’s more implied by statements such as “I just can’t get my students to do anything.” Or “They are too busy being too cool for school.” Or, “They are completely checked out in my class.”

No one wants to say aloud what they are really thinking, “Help someone!” I can tell by the number of likes I receive and my checking out their own IG account posts, these teachers want to use this fabulous tool with their students. They aren’t convinced they can do it with success. I’m here to tell you that you can!

While we are on this subject….Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here

How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

I’m continually seeking the perfect magic words to get these teachers to cross the bridge from belief to action. Understanding these are very busy people with far too much on their plate, I know it’s difficult to take a few minutes and consider strategies for student engagement.

Here I sit smiling at them through my IG profile. Drama integration has been a part of my life since I was ten years old and in fourth grade when I played Queen Isabella. That was in 1966! My teacher engaged me right from the beginning by our class performing a short play about the meeting between Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus. ( I always thought it was so funny because the boy who played Christopher was named Christopher himself!)

But I digress…

If you are someone searching for a way to integrate drama into your classroom, you came to the right blog. I could give you my opinion, but sometimes we learn better from people of which we are unfamiliar. Let’s see what other teachers and researchers discovered.

How does drama help in the classroom?

Drama encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning. Through drama, children are encouraged to take responsible roles and make choices – to participate in and guide their own learning.

How does drama help in the classroom?

Drama stimulates them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning. Through drama, children are nurtured to take responsible roles and make choices – to participate in and guide their own learning. Check out this resource to use in your language arts class: You can find it on Teacherspayteachers.com at: The Cask of Amontillado radio play script. Don’t know how to teach radio theater? Check out my Made by Teachers Store: Radio Theater Unit or in my TPT store: Radio Theater Unit

Drama in the Reading Classroom

Plays inherently come with built-in strategies to help students read better. The acting out of play dialogue compels readers to work more closely with the text to interpret it and project meaning into the experience. As a result, students show improvement in vocabulary, comprehension, and retention.

Researching the drama integration subject, I ran on to Jane Udalla’s article, “The Effect of Drama Based Instruction on Reading Comprehension which states, “Drama-based activities can help struggling readers to “feel” the story, because students report being able to experience the emotions of the characters. Consequently, the students make personal connections to the text and characters while experiencing comparable emotions. As you would expect, this experience inside the story changed students’ ability to comprehend.” Because it is made real to them, the story reading stays with them.

Drama in the social studies classroom

Language Arts Teacher, Michelle Pieczura states in her article Decidedly Dramatic! The Power of Creative Drama in Social Studies, “Creative dramatics, a highly effective method for integrating arts education into core curriculum. It produces a positive and lasting impact on student learning, in terms of creative and critical thinking, language development, listening, comprehension, retention, cooperation, and empathy and awareness of others.

Creative dramatics not only has the power to bring curriculum to life, but also to stimulate active involvement in the development of conceptual understandings.” Personally, I think social studies is a fabulous place for a drama integration.

If you would like more information about how to integrate drama into social studies, check out my post: The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important or peruse my Teacherspayteachers.com product–Multicultural Readers Theater Units or check out The Magic Lake in my Payhip store.

Drama in the math classroom

How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

I know it’s difficult to believe, but drama can also make a math classroom sizzle with excitement! Here is one example. In the article, The Effects of Drama on At-Risk Students, by Patrick Kariuki and Steven G. Humphrey stating, “In a higher education classroom, a teacher used stories of mythology to help students understand statistical problems.

This teacher reasoned that storytelling is effective because it allowed him to share with students certain symbols– such as myths that everyone could understand. Furthermore, it also placed unfamiliar concepts in a more familiar setting. If you are intrigued by this idea, check out how to use Native American folk tales: 370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Outside help for your school

Maybe you would like to provide a full-scale musical production at your school as a way to engage students more fully? The Jump Start Theatre program is your answer.

The Jumpstart Theatre Program

The JumpStart Theatre program creates sustainable theatre arts programs in middle schools where there previously were none. Participating schools are chosen through a rigorous application process and receive training, materials. Plus there is budget support to produce their first full-scale musical production. The support continues for three years until the program becomes self-sustaining.

Non-theatre teachers are equipped with skills and resources to produce their school’s first musical through a proven combination of bootcamp style training and hands-on mentoring. The Educational Theatre Foundation operates JumpStart Theatre through a national network of regional theatre company partners who are selected based on their track-record of success in running educational programs for children. In my opinion, this is just wonderful!

JumpStart Theatre partners are: Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Ga.; La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, Calif.; Mountain City Center for the Arts, Frostburg, MD; Stages St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and The Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati, OH.

Drama Integration through Radio Theater

Here’s how I can help you. A fabulous way to use drama in your classroom is through radio theater. Now. hear. me. out! Radio theater, now in existence for 100 years, is the predecessor to podcasts. (Ask your students if they know what a podcast is–they will!) I understand the actress Amy Poehler is starting a podcast series, Say More with Dr? Sheila. It will feature 30 comedic episodes spread across three seasons, starring Poehler as a couples therapist with questionable methods and credentials. Each ten-episode season will focus on a central character and distinct theme; however, characters will make crossover appearances across stories and seasons.

The great part of that news is that if one actor does this, more will come!

Harry Potter is entering the podcast scene

Recently, it was announced a brand-new co-production of the original Harry Potter stories, will revisit the beloved listening experience for the first time ever. Scheduled for late 2025, these full-cast audio productions will bring these iconic stories to life as never heard before, offering immersive audio entertainment through high-quality sound design in Dolby Atmos, stunning scoring, a full range of character voices, and real-world sound capture.

Some people would rather just jump in to learn about this incredible tool by experiencing it on their feet. In that case, I have radio play scripts available (The Invisible Man, The Monkey’s Paw, Cask of Amontillado, Bow Wow Blues, The Frozen Pirate, It Could Always Be Worse, The Brave Little Tailor, etc.) You can find them here: Dramamommaspeaks Products

How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

As teachers we know that teaching strategies play an important role in classroom instruction. Without the use of a strategy, teachers would be aimlessly projecting information that doesn’t connect with learners or engage them. Luckily, these strategies help learners participate, connect, and add excitement to the content being delivered. That, my friend, is where drama integration comes in!

I hope you’ll consider integrating drama into your classroom. I am always here to help you should you need me or need a sympathetic ear. Just email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com Want to check out my new teacher guidebook, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101? It’s available on Amazon and in my Dramamommaspeaks store.

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How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

How does drama help in the classroom?

How does drama help in the classroom?

Drama in the Reading Classroom

Drama in the social studies classroom

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Outside help for your school

The Jumpstart Theatre Program

Drama Integration through Radio Theater

Harry Potter is entering the podcast scene

How to Excite Students with Drama Integration

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