elementary

The Easiest Way to Boost Student Engagement

July 28, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Let’s talk about the easiest way to boost student engagement.

When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time playing outside under a forsythia bushes. Usually, I pretended I was an orphan. (I have no idea why.) I’d scrape a place in the dirt for my “kitchen” and another place for my “bed”. Usually, I did this in the freezing cold of early spring. I’d play out there for hours until my toes nearly froze solid finally giving in and heading to the warm confines of our big old house.

As you can tell, I am a naturally imaginative person. Are you? I bet so. In fact, all of us are to some extent. and the only thing that really holds us back is a mindset that we aren’t so.

Although I have one friend who says she has a terrible imagination and thinks would be a terrible actress because she freezes on a stage. (That, for your information, has nothing to do with being imaginative.) She says the same thing about her singing and dancing.

That’s a real pity in my book. Had she learned through drama integration when she was a student, I think she would see how creative she really is.

The Easiest Way to Boost Student Engagement

I feel badly for her when she says this, because she is very creative! She is an excellent cook and has a beautiful decorated home. However even with those talents, she doesn’t think she’s creative.

She asked me what I think about when I perform a character who sings. That’s an easy answer for me, “I pretend I’m the character and I imagine the audience is a place where I could sing without anyone around or anyone who would judge me.” That is one of the reasons I love theater as much as I do–it’s a heady feeling to know people are accepting you as you share a little bit of yourself (your psyche) with them.

What is Drama Integration?

What is drama integration?

As I was crafting this blog, I wanted to use other peoples’ defense about drama integration so you know it’s just not me who thinks this. I ran onto Prague Youth Theater’s site and it says,

“Using drama to teach ‘core’ subjects such as maths, science and English can not only boost students’ speaking, listening and comprehension skills, it can also encourage children to have a more confident and curious approach to learning, which can be especially beneficial to those who may struggle with aspects of the curriculum.

Using drama activities and methods in teaching can contribute to an exciting learning environment, and can make even the scary or boring aspects of learning more approachable and engaging. It might mean that teachers place a larger emphasis upon ‘doing’ rather than memorizing, allowing students to engage with the subject in a more collaborative and hands-on manner through reading scripts, storytelling and acting out historical events or even scientific and geographical processes!”

The Easiest Way to Boost Student Engagement — If nothing else, using drama in one’s teaching can make learning fun and more engaging!
**What skills does drama integration learning nurture in your class?**

Test scores increase

Classroom engagement intensifies

Teacher effectiveness increases

21st century life skills are developed

Students’ innate abilities are unleashed

Creativity permeates each subject

**What else can drama integration do?**

**Engagement:** Drama integration facilitates personal motivation to learn through problem

solving, and strengthens best practices in teaching as a result of increased student

investment.

**Collaboration:** Participation in drama integration practice promotes learning partnerships

that evolve through respectful relationships that value the strengths of each individual.

**Agility:** Learners are engaged in rigorous drama integration practice that teaches flexibility,

embraces change, and invites multiple perspectives.

**Knowledge Construction**: Drama integration is relevant to the learner as it promotes and

supports the use of critical thinking skills and inquiry.

**Congruence:** Effective drama integration practice upholds deliberate alignment between

academic content and the arts.

**Integrity:** Mindful synthesis of arts and content learning promotes best practices in drama

integration, which hold true to the art form(s).

**Insight**: Best practices in drama integration embrace the symbiotic relationships between

ideas, content and the arts.

**Skillful assessment:** Mindfully designed authentic evaluation of content, process and

product in drama integration ensures that all levels of learning are synthesized, transferred

and applied through art to relevant and related academic concepts.

**Resiliency**: Drama integration learning experiences foster healthy risk-taking through personal growth, transformation, and empowerment.

**Visionary Leadership:** Confident leadership, demonstrated through collaboration, communication, and consistency, facilitates arts integration practice that is transformational to a learning community. It teaches growth mindset, too. Check out my blog post about growth mindset **here**.

Drama Integration Ideas in the Core Subjects

“Okay” you say, “but how do I use it in my social studies classroom?”

If it’s drama you want to incorporate, a really easy way is to read a readers theater script of the subject you are teaching. For instance, if you are teaching about Nigeria, you could incorporate a Nigerian folk tale. Or if it’s the Civil War, create a radio play of a particular moment in the Civil War. Talk about immersion!

Maybe it’s a math class and you want to integrate drama into the lesson. Maybe the students are given a particular math concept and they create an improvisation working the definition into the scene?

Not many people think about this–**when you approach the learning through the arts, students are relaxed and don’t feel the pressure of “I have to learn this right now and it has to be perfect.”** By applying arts into the learning, it gives students an opportunity to sort of live with the learning concept. I promise, they will remember the concept much better if you apply the arts. Even the most challenged student will have success because the arts allow for differentiation so easily.

Here’s another way to integrate drama into your classroom. The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important

My tips to boost student engagement

After thirty-eight years of teaching theater to thousands of students, grades 2 to 12, I have learned through trial and error how to create a “special sauce” to boost student engagement.

I don’t think anyone who teaches much more than three years doesn’t master how to reach students, but my methods are different and what makes my lessons unique as well.

Here’s a tip when integrating drama. When you are teaching, you need to do more than check off a list of activities which originate from theater. You need to study it!

I can help you with that. I have an on-line course which teaches you how to use drama integration in your classroom. In particular, I share how using a partiular genre of theater can reach many students of any grade level.

You may wonder what makes it magical. I wish I could share that with you here, but that would spoil all the fun. Huh?

Check out this page for more information: 3 Little Known Secrets to Boost Student Engagment in the Classroom When You’re Tried Everything Else.

In this one hour FREE webinar, I’ll share three of my tips and the reasons they work every time. If you didn’t catch that–I said EVERYTIME!

You’re in luck, because I have one webinar left–Wednesday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. I’m sure I’ll have more in the near future, so check back here or better yet, join my email list!

Want a free drama integration lesson now? Pick up this FREE drama integration here.

Are you considering if you want to integrate drama into your teaching? I’m here to help! Email me to set up a fifteen minute FREE session to ask me questions, problem solve or for me to just listen.

How do you engage your students? I’d love to hear from you. Comment here or email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Drama Class Exercises for the First Two Weeks of School

July 6, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Drama Exercises for the First Two Weeks of School

I receive quite a few emails asking, “I have a question about drama exercises for the first two weeks of school. What would you suggest?” That’s a really important question. After thirty-eight years of teaching various theater classes, I have a pretty good handle on what works for me.

However, I’ve been where you are–staring at a blank calendar anxiously wondering what is most important and where you should begin with your class. I think it’s only natural that you feel this way. Simply put–get to know your students.

Everything, and I mean, everything will go much better if you get to know your students! I don’t advise jumping on a bunch of rules unless your list is short like mine (Three R’s–respect, responsibility and ready to learn.) Just about every situation can be addressed using the three expectations. But that’s me.

Pick up this ready-to-go 5 Day of Middle School Drama Lessons.

If you need a scope and sequence for middle school students, here is one: Drama Curriculum Scope and Sequence

GROUP HUG AFTER WILLY WONKA (I’M THE BLONDE HEAD IN THE MIDDLE)

Building Teacher/Student Relationships

When I was looking around for information concerning building teacher/student relationships, I stumbled upon this quote from the EducationNorthwest.org:

“When teachers make an intentional effort to get to know each of their students, it can foster in students a sense of belonging and connection to school—which can then build a foundation for academic success. Positive teacher-student relationships lead to increased cooperation and engagement in the classroom.”

Here’s another quip I appreciate from Reach.com: “Understanding your students’ interests will help you to provide them with quality learning opportunities. By giving them the opportunity to explore areas they are interested in – for example, the environment – they will be more likely to engage with the learning process.”

I believe that getting to know your students and vice versa, is imperative to everyone’s success!

Here’s a recent Instagram interview where I speak about particular games. https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChsDNC8MMgh/?igshid=Y2ZmNzg0YzQ=

Elementary School Creative Dramatics Class Warm-Ups

Elementary students are so sweet and enjoy just about everything you share with them. One old standby of mine is Wax Museum. Most people know this game, but if not check it out here: Wax Museum

When I Go to California is a terrific game for a smaller to medium size class. The more outlandish the objects the students “take” on their imaginary trip, the better. It goes like this:

Two of the most important skills an actor needs is the ability to concentrate and memorize. This exercise will do just that!⁣
You need an open area to play this. This game takes no materials and that’s always a nice thing, huh? ⁣
⁣
First, students sit in a circle on the floor. ⁣Person A stands and says, “WHEN I GO TO CALFORNIA, I WILL TAKE MY ____” and pantomimes something unusual he would take on a trip. (i.e. an elephant) Person A should make the sound of the object if it makes one. ⁣Person A sits again. ⁣

Person B stands and says, “When I go to California, I will take my (Person As object) and my________” and pantomimes another unusual object. ⁣
⁣
The game continues until everyone has a chance to participate. ⁣An object can not be copied by another person as their choice for their object. You also may need to help students when they forget objects. (I encourage students to help as well.)

If you are looking for a week’s worth of drama lessons to begin your school year, check out: First Week of School Drama Class

Or check out this one-which is a good one to use the first week of classes in elementary and middle school: Drama Circle
⁣

Middle School Drama Class Warm-Ups

I will admit that I enjoy teaching middle school students the most. Here’s a recent Facebook Live where I speak about teaching theater to students: Facebook Live with Deb the Storyteller

Middle School students can be shy or extrovertive. Every class is different, so adjust your expectations according to what you observe right off the bat. When your students enter your classroom, do they appear to be familiar with anyone (make a B line to sit with them), sit at the back or maybe the front of the room?

Nevertheless, middle school students love games of any sort. Usually, I get them up on their feet and run through the Alliteration Name Game (you may know it by a different name). You can read about this game here: Drama Games for the Introvertive Student

This exercise will take atleast 20 minutes. It’s important to take your time and if you find there is a student who can’t come up with an idea for their name, others may help him. Also, I require that students applaud after each person shares their name. Why? Because it establishes that everyone is equal and we appreciate everyone’s talent in the class.

Drama Exercises for the First Week of School

This exercise that will take several days to finish– 3 Things About Me. It goes like this:

You, the teacher, bring in 3 things which are important to you–maybe a family photo, your first doll, a medal for something you entered and won–that sort of thing. Take about 5 minutes to explain the items. Hand out sign up sheet for several days. Students sign up for a particular day. When I assign this, I encourage the students to have at least one really unusual thing to share with the class. That makes it far more interesting. I give participation points–a blanket 10 points.

I’d advise warming up the class each day. This tag is a really good one for day two or three. You can pick up here for free: Firecracker Tag.

Another warm up which is good is the Three Word Improvisation. I would use this on about day five with older middle school students. Go here to pick up this game: Three Word Improvisation

If you’d like some more warm ups, go to my Instagram guide.

High School Students Theater Class Warm-Ups

High School students are great to teach, too. I’ve had some amazing high school theater classes. Hopefully, students enrolled in your high school theater class are there because they signed up for the class which is not always the case with middle school students. If the students elected to take your class, then I’d start right in with your lessons.

If your students are new to theater (such as a Theater 101 course) a really great warm up for them (and quite difficult) is Name Volleyball. You can pick it up here: NAME VOLLEYBALL PDF

Or another is Curveball Story

Description: (many thanks to Hoopla.com for this one) This is played in pairs (trios work too). One person makes up a story. As they tell it, the other will call out random words that need to be incorporated into the story. Wait for the last word to be folded in before giving another. (Honestly, I think even elementary students can play this game, but I thought it would be really funny with older students.)

Variations
Similar to What If? where the other person says something like “what if it started raining?” “What if you jumped on a boat?” and they incorporate that into the story.

Want a game that can last the entire class period? This is the one! For years, I have used this game which was titled, Hang Man Charades. However, that is an offensive name so I call it Dancing Man Charades. Pick it up here: DANCING MAN CHARADES PDF

My Recommendation for Theater Teachers

Recently, in a teachers Facebook group a drama teacher asked, “Do I really have to do warm ups every class period?”

No, you don’t especially if you think you have their attention. However, warm ups usually help everyone–there are lots of laughs (which for some students is the only time they laugh their entire day), acknowledge a person’s skill that no one was aware that they had (like the shy kid who can tell a heck of a story.) They even help you!

I could be shooting myself in the foot here, but for warm ups for elementary and middle school students I recommend Theater Games for the Classroom by Viola Spolin. One of the assets of this book which I like is the use of side coaching. Because of this book, I learned to side coach my students which is inordinately vital with elementary and middle schoolers. For high school, pick up her Improvisation for the Theater. Equally as useful and powerful. Grab a free collection of warm ups for middle school here.

What games and exercises do you like to use at the beginning of the school year? I’d love it if you would share them with me? Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour

March 30, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

I’m worried about our teachers and you should be too.

Recently, I read an article from http://www.nea.org that approximately fifty-five per cent of our teachers are seriously considering quitting teaching at the end of this year. That’s up from thirty-seven per cent last year. Yikes!

You can imagine the reasons they are considering leaving–exhaustion, demoralized, uninspired, understaff and underappreciated. Not to mention, the global pandemic! (That doesn’t even include underpaid which has been an ongoing problem for year and really a sad statement about the country, in my opinion.)

I can’t fix the schools, but I can help teachers.

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

Let’s say you and I are eating lunch together in the teacher’s lounge.

I say to you, “How’s the day going?”

“Terrible!” you say.

“What seems to be the problem” I ask.

“The students are not engaged. They are rowdy, disrespectful and negative.”

At this point, that I nod and say, “I can help you.”

You look at me with an expression of disbelief. “How, Deb? You can’t be in there with me.”

I answer, “No, but I can give you some drama integration ideas which will help. In fact, my masters in education is focused on creative arts learning.”

Turning, I dive into my files and pull out several lessons which I tailored specifically for the classroom.

You take one look at them and say, “But I’m not a creative dramatics teacher. I can’t do this.”

“Oh yes, you can. Using creative dramatics to teach your class is nothing more than making a few changes in your perspective and teaching methods. Let me show you how.”

We talk for a few minutes, you smile and say “Okay, I’ll try it!”

As we leave the lounge, we hug. I watch you walk down the hallway with a little spring in your step because you know how to turn your unhappy class into a happy one in an afternoon.

Note: This is an actual conversation I had with a teacher on IG in the last week. Her students were being impossible. I suggested she try doing a lot of physical movement with them and it worked!

The Benefits of Creative Dramatics in the Classroom

I found this wonderful website, The Gaiety School of Acting, which explains the benefits of creative dramatics:

“Of all the arts, drama involves the participant the most fully: intellectually, emotionally, physically, verbally, and socially. As players, children assume the roles of others, and they learn about becoming more sensitive to the problems and values of persons different from themselves. At the same time, they are learning to work cooperatively, for drama is a communal art; each person is necessary to the whole.”

When integrating creative dramatics, we are not concerned with what an audience receives from a performance but what the child does. In fact, it would be best if you and your students are the only people in your classroom when you integrate drama.

This is Easier than You Think

These five lessons will engage them right from the beginning. It’s all in the approach you take to presenting them. (I can help you here. I include a teacher’s script with most of my lessons.)

Warm-ups–warm-up exercises can be adapted to the subject you are teaching or you can use them as they are.
Creative Movement–students need a lot of physical exercise.
Storytelling–if you are teaching a particular book, use Kamishibai storytelling as a way to check your students’ understanding of the plot
Tableau–a frozen stage picture is a fantastic way to demonstrate a math problem, moment in history, show something in science such as a volcano and its stage before errupting, etc.
Readers’ Theater–this is a powerful teaching method which can be adapted for a particular lesson about social studies, science or a story in reading.

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

Want a FREE lesson you can use tomorrow? Click here: Creative Dramatics Lesson

Pick up a copy of this blog post at: FarrahHenleyEducation.

Do I need a lot of extra materials?

Most teachers probably have the materials they’d need to integrate drama in your classroom. But beware! Try to avoid being a purist about this–a scarf can work as a belt, a box can be a trunk or three students’ desk chairs can make a bridge. It’s all in how you look at it.

I suggest: construction paper, paper plates, glue, scissors, colored pencils, markers, aluminum foil, newspapers, masks (you can purchase them at S and S Art Supply )

Collect clothing such as hats, caps, scarves, capes, eye glasses, pillow cases, masks, etc. A large plastic bin can hold all of these pieces. A trip to a local thrift store will have a lot of these items for an inexpensive price.

How do I Assess my Students’ Learning?

Talk about outcome education! Using creative dramatics in your teaching gives you an opportunity to model for your students and them to demonstrate right back to you.

Here’s an example for you– your objective today is to teach Common Core Standard L4.1e “Form the use of prepositional phrases”.

Easy! Make up a bunch of cards with prepositional phrases on them with phrases such as “on the, over the, around the”. Hand out a card to each student to physically demonstrate the phrase.

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour

Maybe you are teaching Next Generation Science stanDard concerning gravitational force. Would it be so difficult as to have two students tell a story about gravitational force and how it affects us on earth? Maybe you’d give them particular facts to use in the story? This blog post might help too! How Do I Use Arts Integration in the Classroom?

As you can see, using drama integration in your class is a no brainer. Word to the wise–refrain from using it every day as it will lose its uniqueness. I know it takes many teaching methods to engage your students. This is just one method.

But it’s a good one. 😉

Want a free drama integration lesson? Check out: Hire Me for Your Classroom Tomorrow!

Have you used drama integration in the past? How did it go for you? Do you have any questions I can answer? Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or check out my website at DeborahBaldwin.net

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

February 23, 2022 By dhcbaldwin 2 Comments

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

When I began teaching, we didn’t have videos to show students anything pertaining to theater. Friends, never underestimate the never underestimate the influence of teaching with videos!

That was 1980 and the closest thing we had was an old projector which showed black and white films. Yuck. Part of the reason this was uninspiring to students is as we know, theater is a visual art. Plus, it gives students a concrete example of the quality of work professionals turn out. Consequently, not many students enrolled in drama classes.

I was looking around for more reasons why teaching with video works. I ran on to www.nextthoughtsstudios.com I found this quote helpful: “Studies have shown that the use of short video clips allows for more efficient processing and memory recall. The visual and auditory nature of videos appeals to a wide audience and allows each user to process information in a way that’s natural to them. In a nutshell, videos are good teachers.”

Things are different now, huh?

Practically with the snap of a finger, a teacher can search for what she wants and show it in her classroom within a few minutes.

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Creating products gives me oppportunities to see many videos worth viewing in the theater classroom. I thought they might be of benefit to you, too!

Primarily, these videos are located on youtube.com. If your school allows you to use Youtube. com, you will be good to go. I’ve also mentioned several videos that you could rent or purchase for your classroom.

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Hamilton!

Let’s Look at Hamilton, first!

There are many videos of Hamilton. However one that I especially like is: Adam Savage Examines the Props of Hamilton.

Let’s begin with set design. Set Design for Hamilton is terrific. It’s only 3 minutes in length. Fascinating stuff here.

The lighting design for Hamilton is awesome! Behind the Scenes with a Hamilton Stagehand Who Told Stories with LightsThis one shows what its like for a stagehand. So interesting. (5:58 mins.)

The costume design for Hamilton is a Hamilton Designers Explain How Costumes are Made I think you’ll learn something new here. (29:42 mins.)

Hamilton is available on line through DisneyPlus only. Honestly, I’d sign up for DisneyPlus just to have the opportunity to show it to my students.

If you’d like more information about Hamilton, check out: Hamilton the Musical: A Drama Lesson with a Unique Perspective

Wicked!

Behind the Emerald Curtain is a series of videos which were created for the express purpose of education.

Wicked Behind the Emerald Curtain is a fascinating interview with the costume designer, Susan Hilferty. There is more information here than just costume design, so take a look at this! (5:35 mins.)

In this video, the choreographer for Wicked explains the difference between choreography and staging a musical. See how the entire world of Wicked the musical was choreographed. (4:47 mins.)

Who is an expert in stage smoke, fog and torches? This man is. You’ll want to check out the special effects of Wicked for certain. Wicked: Special Effects (3:37 mins.)

Good news! A movie version of Wicked is slated to begin productions in the summer of 2022. Cynthia Erivo will pay Elfaba and Arianna Grande will be Glenda. How wonderful will that be?

Considering teaching a whole unit on Wicked? Check out my post: Will Wicked The Musical Ever Rule the World?

Dear Evan Hansen

Now that the Dear Evan Hansen movie has been released, this would be a fantastic time to study the musical.

David Korins, Set Design of Dear Evan Hansen shares an incredible story about his creative process. (3:43 mins.)

Here is a short piece on the Genius Design of Lighting of Dear Evan Hansen you simply must show your students! In this video clip, the announcer explains the complexity and number of light cues used in one part of a song. Amazing. (3:13 mins.)

Maybe you need something physical for your students to do? You could use this as a warm-up of even lesson for the day. Check out Dear Evan Hansen Dance Combo (27:01 mins.)

You can rent Dear Evan Hansen through a variety of ways–Apple TV and Prime are two.

Here’s a blog post concerning Dear Evan Hansen which you may find useful and interesting. Like “Dear Evan Hansen”? Then You’ll Love This News

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Spongebob Squarepants

Oh my gosh, friends. Spongebob Squarepants is such fun and your younger students will really enjoy learning about it.

You’ll want to look at the interview of a set designer. Set Designer David Zinn ( 7:00 mins.) I enjoy how he explains his concept of the musical, but also explains how color, the use of unusual objects and looking at the story as a child would.

Davis Zinn is exceptionally talented! He designed the costumes for the production as well. Explore the Costumes of Spongebob Squarepants. (2:56 mins.) Your students will love what he uses for each costumes and the detail is immense.

Switching gears here. I think showing a rehearsal of a production. It’s very important for our students. It demonstrates that rehearsals should be done with high energy, full commitment and dedication. Get a Sneak Peak at New Broadway Musical Spongebob Squarepants (2:25 mins.)

Need a scope and sequence for your middle school theater class? I can help here: Drama Units Scope and Sequence

Hadestown

Take a Tour Downtown of Hadestown with Rachel Hauk, set design and Rachel Chavkin, director. (4:09 mins.) For your students who can’t get enough of the creative process of designing a production, you’ll want to show this one.

Making the Music Anais Mitchell (3:50 mins.) talks about composing the music for Hadestown. In particular, she talks about the song, “Why Do We Build a Wall.: The lyrics to this song are not a political statement, but when Hadestown opened our former president was busy trying to keep immigrants out of the country. Talk about life imitating art and vice versa.

Broadway’s Hadestown is a Google Talk (55:31 mins.) which older students would appreciate. I think I would use it for a discussion and pick out certain parts which I wanted to point out–blocking, staging, etc. Members of the cast have an opportunity to share about the production. I especially appreciate Andre Shields’ interview. Although long, it’s worth the time.

You can find bootleg copies of Hadestown. That means someone recorded it illegally. I don’t recommend using these because it just perpetuates the idea that this activity is acceptable.

Here’s a blog post of mine about Hadestown and all its wonderfulness. What Can We Learn from Greek Mythology?

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Beetlejuice

Heres a fun one to study: Beetlejuice! The Cast of Beetlejuice Performed at medley at the Tony Awards. (3:48 mins.) Something interesting about this musical is that it was nominated for many Tony awards and didn’t win one. Strange, huh?

The set design is so imaginative–I’d show this for your gifted students. They’ll get a kick out of it! David Korns strikes again as the designer of the Beetlejuice set. It might be interesting to show the three video clips of his work and see if there are any similarities. That’s what I would do. Set Tour with Designer David Korin/ Beetlejuice the Musical. (7:22 mins.)

In How William Ivey Long Created the Beetlejuice and Tootsie Costumes (9:35 mins.) Long speaks about his process for the musical. Talk about talented! You’ll see that he spent over two years designing Beetlejuice. Amazing.

We can’t leave out plays. They are fabulous to teach with too

Teach with Plays

We can’t leave out plays. They are fabulous to teach with too.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Oh yes! To study a little bit of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play would be fabulous for middle grade students.

If your students are unfamiliar with the play, show them this montage first: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Exclusive Montage. (4:43 mins.)

This clip shares many things–the director, special effects, blocking, staging, lighting design, costume design–you name it. Behind the Scenes of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2:49 mins.) is a definite show on my list!

I think students will find this video Magic to Do: Harry Potter with James Snyder (9:51 mins.) demonstrates that actors are pretty much like the rest of us. Pretty goofy.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Let’s say you want to read a play in your high school theater class? I’d suggest To Kill a Mockingbird. I’d include these video clips while we read it. Maybe as a warm-up.

I’d begin with this video clip. It concerns how the play was reworked by the director, Aaron Sorkin. How Aaron Sorkin Reworked To Kill a Mockingbird for Broadway (7:19 mins.) It’s fascinating.

To Kill a Mockingbird Lessons for Today focuses on (7:10 mins.) the show’s star Jeff Daniels and playwright Aaron Sorkin about translating Lee’s characters to the stage, and with students who talk about “Mockingbird”‘s relevance to today’s audience.

Lastly, this video clip discusses the characters of the play. Citizens of To Kill a Mockingbird LaTanya Richards Jackson as Calpurnia (2:40 mins.)

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching With Videos

I hope these video links give you a lot of choice and ideas for your classroom use. If I were you, I’d teach a different musical or play each day–that’s 8 days or more of lessons for you. And….a substitute could use these as well.

Have you used video clips in your classroom? I’d love to hear about it. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Want some help with your directing? Pick up my FREE checklists at: Director’s Helper Checklists

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

February 8, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Have you heard of Plays for New Audiences? No? They are terrific. Here are the seven reasons I recommend plays for new audiences scripts.

Plays for New Audiences is a division of Children’s Theatre Company. (Pictured above) Minneapolis, Minnesota. PNA offers contemporary works that are topical, relevant, and even fantastical. In addition, PNA offers many reimagined classics that are stage-ready for your next production.

The Children’s Theatre Company (formerly known as The Moppet Players from 1961 to 1965) is a regional theater established in 1965, specializing in plays for families, young audiences and the very young.

You really must check out this website! Plays for New Audiences

I ran on to the Childrens Theatre Company many years ago and picked up a few scripts for the youth theater I was administrating. Friends, these scripts are fabulous.

Plays for High School of Middle School Students to Perform

At least once a week, I read of teachers desperate to find a script to produce with their students. Either they need one for their class to produce, or are looking for a play to use to travel and perform for their elementary or middle schools. (Next school year would be a fantastic time to do this with your students since the pandemic will have subsided and everyone should be back in school full swing.)

Here are a few I suggest, but friends there are many of which to choose. Do give this website an afternoon to peruse.

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Reason #1: Some are adapted from celebrated authors.

A Mark Twain Storybook is about a troupe of actors who re-tell some of Mark Twain’s most popular stories in “The Quadricetennial edition of America’s most loved traveling show, The Celebrated Mark Twain Storybook and Musicale Review!” They cover Tom Sawyer, The Good Little Boy (and, conversely, The Bad Little Boy), The Jumping Frog, What Stumped the Bluejays, Experience of the McWilliamses with Membranous Croup, and The Prince and the Pauper. A Mark Twain Storybook is a vaudeville inspired, rollicking delight.

The script is forty-five pages with roles for five actors with a running time of seventy-five minutes and recommended for ages six and up.

Reason #2: They are willing to adapt movies into plays. Generally, a movie will come out of a play version, but I like that they are willing to reverse that if the script is worthwhile.

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Another script which looks sensational is Akeelah and the Bee. Akeelah and the Bee tells the story of a girl with a crazy passion for words: the more abstruse and labyrinthine, the better. But this gift is almost overwhelmed by the challenge of her daily life in a tough, Chicago neighborhood. Akeelah’s aptitude earns her a spot in the National Spelling Bee, which inspires the people in her neighborhood with her courage and tenacity. (You may be familiar with this title as there was a movie of it first.)

The script is 104 pages with roles for seven males and seven females. It runs two hours and is suitable for ages eight and up.

Reason #3: Some plays contain original plots.

If you are looking for something concerning the Jewish culture, I’d check out The Adventures of Motel. The Adventures of Motel is a story of adventure and misadventure set in Russia in the year 1905. A Jewish boy named Mottel meets the trials of living under rule of a cruel Czar with wit and good cheer. Mottel has many adventures, from causing the whole town to sneeze, dying the river (and in effect all the laundry) blue, and eventually travelling to America. We are able to experience what life was like for Jews in Russia at this tine while being entertained by the mishaps of a young boy.

The script is fifty-eight pages in length, runs two hours and has a cast of thirteen male and eleven female. It is suitable for ages eleven and up.

Reason #4: Many are multicultural. Quite a few are adaptations from folk or fairy tales.

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Monkey King is a fabulous folk tale from China. I’d take a look at it if you have a large class or auditioning pool.

The Monkey King play concerns a Heavenly Palace, the Jade Emperor and the Jade Empress are holding a feast. Suddenly a monkey hatches from a rock and declares himself King, shaking the very foundations of heaven and earth. He even travels to the underworld and erases his death in the Book of the Dead. The Emperor tries to capture the Monkey, but the wild animal escapes, ending up in a showdown with Buddha himself! Buddha wins and thus begins the Monkey’s earthly adventures. He accompanies a monk on a pilgrimage, along with two traveling companions, a pig, Ba-jie, and a carp, Sha-Sen, both of whom have been sent down to earth after causing trouble in the Heavenly Realm. As with every great quest story, the journey tests the character of the four travelers. To complete the mission, each must learn to recognize his weakness and understand their strengths.

The script is fifty-two pages in length runs one hour and forty-one minutes with roles for fifteen male and eight female +ensemble (Doubling possible)

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Reason #5: They are diverse.

Based on the book of the same name, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy is worth checking out as well.

In Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy Turner Buckminster III can’t win: he’s the new kid in town, he plays baseball differently, and he stumbles upon trouble at every step. Turner’s only friend is Lizzie Bright Griffin from Malaga Island, an impoverished community founded by former slaves. The town (and Turner’s father) disapproves of their friendship, but Turner and Lizzie remain friends regardless. When powerful forces threaten Lizzie and her kin, Turner faces the ultimate test of his character—and learns a hard-earned lesson about courage and loss.

The script is eighty-eight pages in length, runs two hours (with an intermission) and has roles for four male and seven female. It is appropriate for nine years and up.

Reason #6: They are entertaining and fun!

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Looking for a musical? Here is one–Bunnicula!

Bunnical is about a dancing cat, a howling dog, and a vampire bunny. The perfect pet combination for any family. It’s a dark and stormy night and Chester (the family cat) and Harold (the family dog) sit waiting for their owners to return home from the movies. Chester and Harold are more than just pets, they’re good friends too. When the Monroes finally get home, they come bearing a surprise: they’ve found a bunny in the movie theater. But this is no ordinary rabbit… this is the extraordinary Bunnicula. When the family’s produce starts losing its juice, Chester thinks he knows what’s causing the fantastic phenomenon. Bunnicula is a vampire! Or maybe Chester’s imagination is getting the better of him. Singing and dancing their way through this hilarious mystery, the furry friends find room in their hearts, and in their home, for one very unique bunny.

This musical comes with musical tracks which would be very helpful if you don’t have an accompaniast. The show runs one hour and thirty-one minutes, has roles for two female and one male and is suitable for age six and up.

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Reason #7: They offer scripts with holiday themes.

Holiday Plays

Publishers with holiday themed scripts are always a plus in my book. Prancer concerns young Jessica Riggs’ family has fallen on hard times. Still, she keeps her belief in Santa Claus and the idea that there are miracles in the world. When an injured reindeer appears in Jessica’s backyard, she believes it is Prancer. While she is nursing the creature back to health, the whole community of Three Oaks eventually learns about Prancer, causing big problems for Jessica as she tries to return the reindeer home. Based on the cherished film, Prancer, this piece uses a heartwarming story and breathtaking puppetry to bring light into your holiday season.

Want some help with directing? Pick up my Director’s Helper Checklist here: Director’s Helper Checklist

Licensing and Royalties Information

I did want to touch on purchasing scripts and royalties for these plays and musicals. If you want to purchase copies for your class to read called you need a Classroom Reading license. This is a fifty dollar per semester cost. You can download and copy as many as you need. If you want to purchase, just one it is $12.00. I think it would be better to purchase a classroom reading license. At fifty dollars, that’s a pretty good deal since the average script cost of other publishers is usually around $10.00. I’d seriously consider doing this if I were you.

You would need to apply for a license to produce one of their plays in order to receive a royalty quote. I was unable to secure this information for you.

I hope you’ll check out Plays for New Audiences and their scripts. If I was still directing and teaching, I’d be on this site like butter on bread. They are unique, imaginative and guaranteed to be engaging to your students and audience.

If you’d appreciate additional advice from a seasoned theater teacher and director, check out:

Ten Important Elements to Consider When Directing a Youth Theater Production

Eighteen Ways To Make Your Directing Experience Less Stressful, Part One

Eighteen Ways to Make Your Directing Experience Less Stressful, Part Two

What play publishing company are you fond of? There are many, huh? Leave a comment and share your opinion. If you’d like to contact me do so at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid An Expert Guide

January 12, 2022 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid An Expert Guide

They say you should write about what you know. Hmmmm. What do I know? I know this subject well–Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid

I bet you do, too.

Here’s a quote that sums it up perfectly, “Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed; you’re a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system.” Anais Nin

I’ve lived this quote.

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid (An Expert Guide)

Before we begin, let me tell you a little story.

About eight years ago, I taught in a wonderful home school enrichment program (with around 800 students,grades k to 12) which was part of the St. Vrain School system in Longmont, CO. In my first year, I directed three musicals (I used the MTI juniors) and taught six classes (at three different locations.)

As is typical of me, I am sort of a create-a-monster kind of person; I have a tendency to keep improving something until I’m satisfied with it.

In my sixth year of teaching for Apex, I was directing FOUR different musicals (all MTI juniors) as well as FOUR children’s musicals (MTI kids) as well as teaching twenty-four classes. Yes, you read that correctly. Each location offered a bit of a different curriculum so of course that meant different preps. for me. (One school wanted a film class. Another an intro. to Shakespeare, etc.)

My health began to deteriorate. I was frustrated, sarcastic, short fused, tired all the time and very stressed.

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid (An Expert Guide)

Consequently, in my seventh year I dropped two schools and just taught Thursday and Friday. But my inspiration was waning. At this point, I’d directed around 350 plays and musicals over the thirty-eight years I’d taught (both schools and an excellent community theater).

Finally, I taught one more year and retired at age sixty. I was totally ready.

You see, I care more about what the students gain from my teaching than my own sanity and obvious health. I was willing to exhaust myself if more students came away with feeling being a part of a group, increased self-esteem and confidence. That’s really all I cared about.

No one told me to take care of myself. If they did, I was too stubborn and proud to do so very much.

I nearly ruined my health learning the lesson to do so, however.

Three Major Teacher Burnout Symptoms

According to the website prodigygame.com, there are three major teacher burnout symptoms:

Cynicism — a sense of detachment from work or life, loss of enjoyments, pessimism and isolation.
Feelings of ineffectiveness — Apathy, hopelessness, increased irritability, lack of productivity and poor performance.
Physical and emotional exhaustion — Always tired, unable to sleep, forgetfulness or trouble concentrating, anxiety, depression and anger.

Here’s another thing no one thinks about–there are after school activities like plays or musical rehearsals, marching band, ball practices, , study help, cheerleading, the chess club. All of these extracurriculars are fun to do, but they do take a toll on a teacher’s energy.

Don’t get me started talking about the hours a theatre teacher puts into directing a play or worse yet, a musical! It’s staggering. As the teacher/director, you not only direct the show but you also design the costumes, set, lights, sound, create stage props, handle the tickets, advertising and let’s not forget your teaching load! If you’d like some advice concerning directing youth theater check out this post Ten Important Elements to Consider When Directing a Youth Theater Production

What’s the Answer to Burnout?

I wish I could say there is one way to handle the burn out. But there just isn’t. Here are a few things I learned over time:

I didn’t grade every paper which sat on m desk. Some can be given a participation grade (I used a check, check plut and check minus) especially when the students are just learning a concept.
Planning my calendar to give myself breaks within the week was essential. For instance, if my Creative Dramatics class had a performance for their parents, I made sure my Intro. to Theater class worked by themselves and I was merely over seeing.
If one class was doing something physical, I planned so the next class was doing something more sedentary.
I found my students learned the best Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Because of this, I kept Monday and Friday’s lessons lighter. I wouldn’t introduce a new unit until Tuesday (hoping to catch everyone and those who took a long weekend and missed Friday and Monday).
Fridays were fun days for all of us. I made sure that my Fridays were my best lessons to teach or those most engaging. Sometimes the students would view part of a video on a Friday. That kept my teacher-to-student contact low and my maintained my energy.
If I could work it out, I’d go out for lunch at least once a week. Or, I’d bring in something special from the grocery store–like a deli sandwich or fancy salad. It lifted the monotony.

elementary

Let’s talk about the easiest way to boost student engagement.

The Easiest Way to Boost Student Engagement

What is Drama Integration?

Drama Integration Ideas in the Core Subjects

My tips to boost student engagement

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Drama Exercises for the First Two Weeks of School

Building Teacher/Student Relationships

Elementary School Creative Dramatics Class Warm-Ups

Middle School Drama Class Warm-Ups

Drama Exercises for the First Week of School

High School Students Theater Class Warm-Ups

My Recommendation for Theater Teachers

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Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

The Benefits of Creative Dramatics in the Classroom

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Learn How to Teach Creative Dramatics in Your Lunch Hour!

Do I need a lot of extra materials?

How do I Assess my Students’ Learning?

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Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Hamilton!

Wicked!

Dear Evan Hansen

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Spongebob Squarepants

Hadestown

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

Beetlejuice

Teach with Plays

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

To Kill a Mockingbird

Never Underestimate the Influence of Teaching With Videos

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The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Plays for High School of Middle School Students to Perform

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

Holiday Plays

Licensing and Royalties Information

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Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid An Expert Guide

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid (An Expert Guide)

Teacher Burned Out: How to Fix and Avoid (An Expert Guide)

Three Major Teacher Burnout Symptoms

What’s the Answer to Burnout?

More Answers to Burn out

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