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Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

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Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

To begin with, as theater teachers, we often face a familiar set of challenges: limited prep time and diverse student needs. Plus, these are coupled  with th desire to build a strong classroom community while still hitting learning goals. How can we do that? What resources will it require?  Let’s discuss how to boost drama class with these five teacher favorites!  Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your curriculum, the right resource can make all the difference.

Over time, I’ve created and refined dozens of drama education materials that aim to solve these challenges. These aren’t just popular—they’ve been tested by real teachers and praised for how well they support classroom success. (Proof of Concept?  To date, over 23,000 teachers have purchased from my Dramamommaspeaks store.)

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

1. Drama Ice Breakers and Ensemble Builders

Why it helps:
A strong ensemble is the heartbeat of any theater classroom. These ice breakers and team-building games are more than just “fun activities”.  They teach students how to collaborate, listen actively, and take creative risks in a low-pressure environment. I’ve used these same  for questions for years to help my students become confident and connected performers.

What’s included:

  • Engaging warm-ups for all experience levels
  • Games that promote trust and communication
  • Easy-to-follow instructions for quick implementation

As a result, this is a teacher favorite because:
They save you time and get your students up and moving—essential in the first few weeks of school.

One reviewer wrote, “These helped my students open up immediately and created a supportive classroom culture.”

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

Daily Drama That Delivers: Engage Every Student, Every Day

2. Morning Meeting Bell Ringers: Tony Award-Winning Plays

Why it helps:
These 24 bell ringers bring Broadway into your classroom through bite-sized lessons that celebrate Tony award-winning plays. Each includes a brief synopsis, the awards it won, and a thoughtful question to encourage discussion or journal writing. In addition, they’re great for daily warm-ups or as part of a broader curriculum on theater history.

What’s included:

  • 24 ready-to-use slides
  • Tony-winning play summaries and awards
  • Video clip links for reference
  • Critical thinking questions to prompt student reflection

Teacher favorite because:
They introduce important theatrical works without adding to your prep load. Consequently, students get exposed to a wide range of plays, and teachers love the simplicity and depth. “These were a great way to start my class and got my students talking about theater right away,” one educator said.

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

3. Radio Theater Unit

Why it helps:
This unit taps into the often-overlooked world of radio drama.  It is ideal for classrooms with limited space or performance anxiety. Students learn about sound effects, vocal inflection, and character development. Lastly, they create and perform their own radio commercials. Pick up one of my radio play scripts and you’ve got three weeks of learning!

What’s included:

  • A full unit guide with daily procedures for 12 days
  • Warm-ups and vocal exercises
  • Radio play scripts and sound design activities

Altogether, this is a teacher favorite because:
It combines performance, technical design, and storytelling into one seamless unit. One teacher shared, “My class LOVED this! It allowed even shy students to shine and brought a new energy to our drama time.”

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

Connect with Culture and Creativity

4. The Story of Lin-Manuel Miranda: Read-Aloud Biography Unit

Why it helps:
Students are always more engaged when they can relate to the subject. This biography of Lin-Manuel Miranda—complete with prompts and journaling ideas—makes for a great literacy integration!  Plus, it’a super jumping-off point for conversations about creativity, diversity, and perseverance. 

What’s included:

  • A read-aloud biography concerning his life, education, journey to Broadway and accolades he’s won
  • Student discussion questions
  • Journal writing prompts for reflection and connection

Teacher favorite because:
It inspires students with a story they care about while encouraging thoughtful writing. Additionally, teachers often use this during Hispanic Heritage Month, literacy blocks, or between units. One teacher remarked, “My students really enjoyed this lesson. The resources were great and they loved putting together the rap!”

Check out this blog post for other famous Broadway actor biographies: Teaching Stage Legends: Burnett, Andrews, Jones, and Van Dyke

Boost Drama Class with These 5 Teacher Favorites

5. Costume Design for Beginners

Why it helps: Costume design is a fantastic entry point into technical theater.  Furthermore, it helps students think critically about character, mood, and time period. This beginner-friendly unit introduces students to the basics of costume design through research, drawing, and hands-on activities.

What’s included:

  • Introduction to costume design principles
  • Guided drawing and analysis assignments
  • Creative prompts for designing original character costumes

Teacher favorite because: It taps into visual learning and creativity while supporting script analysis and design thinking. One teacher noted, “This was a perfect way to engage students who love art and fashion while still connecting back to theater concepts.”

Pick up a FREE holiday parade costume design lesson here:

In Conclusion

Lastly,  you’re looking for materials that are trusted, easy to implement, and designed with teachers in mind, give these a try. Check out this post for additional resources which can help you:  5 Easy Drama Games for Emergency Sub Plans

Have a favorite you’d like me to feature next? Drop me a message—I love hearing how these resources work in your classroom. Also, I’m so pleased to announce that my blog is one of the top 5 for drama teachers in the world. 

Learn more here:

This may contain: the top drama teacher blog badge with gold stars on it and text reading top drama teacher blog

Deborah Baldwin of Dramamommaspeaks
When I portrayed MIss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest

Deb

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

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How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

In this blog post, let’s discuss How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom. First, I want to share a little memory of mine…When I was in my teens, my father, mother and I traveled to Mexico driving from Kansas.  Needless to say, it was an amazing trip full of wrong turns, teen angst and hilarity.

The Language Barrier Gone Amok

Anyway, we hadn’t studied the Mexican language prior to traveling there.  Consequently, communicating with the Mexican people was difficult for us. One day, somehow, we ended up in the middle of a car race. My father turned a corner too tightly and put our travel trailer up on a curb where we were stuck for several hours. The racing cars had to slow down because of us.

When the policeman scolded my dad, I remember my mother (who was raised in Japan) and my father (who fought in WWII) began speaking in Japanese and German to him. Of course, he became even more furious.  Needless to say, it was embarrassing and humiliating to poor little fourteen-year-old me. Remember being fourteen?

Fortunately, we were lucky enough to see the Folklorico Ballet of Mexico one evening.  As you would expect, it was absolutely amazing! For me, it was the highlight of the entire trip. That, and the really cute boys hanging out on the Matzatland beach.

Our Family Trip to Mexico

Accordingly, we returned home and that was the end of my education about the Mexican culture.  I studied French in high school, never once considering I might enjoy learning to speak Spanish.  At the time, social studies classes didn’t study different cultures.  Surprisingly, I believe we only studied the United States. Talk about living in a bubble!

However, you and your students can celebrate different cultures right in your drama classroom.  Let’s begin with Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.  When I began researching this subject, I was pleasantly surprised by the volume of resources available for this celebratory month.  Plus, there are many sources in theater for this celebration.  Therefore, not only do you have an opportunity to study a different culture, albeit briefly, you also can integrate drama (or vice versa) into your class.

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month’s Beginnings

The year was 1970 only two years after President Johnson proclaimed a week-long celebration of Hispanic people and their culture.  However President Reagan expanded the week to a month in 1988 and it was titled National Hispanic Heritage month!

If you are unfamiliar with National Hispanic and Latino Heritage month it is a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States.  September 15 to October 15 gives a teacher  an excellent opportunity to engage their students in a diverse and immersive experience within a drama class. I think you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to celebrate the culture through your drama curriculum.  Additionally, you can foster cultural awareness, appreciation, and creativity in your students. Want to learn more about this subject? Check out another blog post, Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Drama Classroom Tomorrow

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

Seven Ways to Celebrate National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

  1. Exploring Hispanic Playwrights and Theater

One of the best ways to immerse your drama class in Hispanic culture is by introducing them to renowned Hispanic playwrights and their works. Discussing plays by writers such as Lin Manuel Miranda opens up conversations about the Hispanic experience, identity, and history. If you teach middle school students,  you can study Lin Manuel Miranda through these two resources:  Newspaper Article or pick up this free lesson here. Or pick up a biography lesson and one pager assignment concerning Anthony Ramos here.

  1. Performing Hispanic Plays

Organize a class performance of a Hispanic play or scene. You can select a one-act play or adapt a scene from a famous Hispanic playwright’s work. This hands-on experience will not only deepen your students’ understanding of Hispanic culture but also enhance their acting skills. I suggest purchasing a copy of Esperanza Rising play to use as a read aloud. Want to know more about the theater? Check out: The Seven Reasons I Recommend Plays for New Audiences Scripts

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

  1. Guest Speakers and Workshops

If possible, I’d suggest inviting guest speaker or theater professionals with a Hispanic heritage to share their experiences and insights with your drama class. They can discuss their journey in the theater world, the importance of representation, and the cultural significance of their work. Workshops on Latinx theater techniques, dance, or music can also add a dynamic dimension to your drama curriculum. Or maybe you want to show your students what is possible for them if they are of Hispanic descent and interested in a professional career.  Use this video clip to teach about Hispanic American Theatre  Want to know other ways to use video in your classroom?  Check out:  Underestimate the Influence of Teaching with Videos

More Celebration Ideas

  1. Research and Presentations

Another idea is to assign students to complete a short research project focused on a prominent Hispanic actor, director, or playwright. They can explore their contributions to the theater world and the impact of their work on Hispanic culture. Require your students to make a presentation of it.  However, if your students don’t have time to study anyone in depth, check out: Designing Broadway:  On Your Feet!  Costume Designer Emilio Sosa. 

How to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the Drama Classroom

  1. Bilingual Performances

Although this is a little difficult to do, it would be very interesting for your students to perform a scene or monologue in both English and Spanish. This exercise not only improves their language skills but also allows them to connect with the material on a deeper level.

Most importantly, it emphasizes the importance of language as a bridge between cultures. Here are some you could use: Quiara Alegría Hudes: Barrio Girl. Dramatic Publishing. Luis Alfaro. Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman and Other Superhero Girls, Like Me. Playscripts, Coleman A. Jennings: Nine plays by José Cruz González (anthology). Dramatic Publishing. or Karen Zacarías: Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans. How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accent. Looking for Roberto Clemente. Magical Piñata. Frida Libre. Dramatic Publishing.

  1. Cultural Immersion

To truly celebrate Hispanic culture, consider organizing a cultural immersion day. This could include a screening of a Hispanic film, a salsa dancing lesson or perform a readers theater script. Any of these activities will engage your students.  By immersing students in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Hispanic culture can be a memorable and enjoyable experience. Check out these units:  The Magic Lake (Peruvian Legend), The Legend of the Poinsettia (Mexican Legend) or In the Heights Broadway Musical Unit (Latino culture).

Collaborative Projects

Lastly, students enjoy learning with a partner. Additionally, they enjoy costume design.  How about assigning students to design costumes for a Hispanic version of  the story of Cinderella in play form  using Vogue magazine fashion design sketching app.? Or creating a stage property with a Latin theme using an app. like Tinkercard.com?

The Hispanic Culture and Heritage is Deserves Our Respect

I’ve only scratched the surface as far as the resources available to use when celebrating this terrific culture.  Just remember that celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage month in drama class is not only educational but also a celebration of the rich tapestry of American culture.  Lastly, I hope you embrace this month as an occasion to broaden horizons, encourage empathy, and promote the importance of diversity and inclusion in the world of theater. Because as I always say…there’s no better place to learn than through theater! 

What celebrations do you have planned for your students?  I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com and we’ll chat!

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

 

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

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7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

You’ve arrived at this blog post because you want an answer to– 7 reasons to relax: classroom decor made easy! I think I can help. Although this post was written several years ago, much of it is still as important as it was then. So, read on…

In my opinion, there is one thing about this pandemic which is/was good. Celebrities have been de-mystified. Since everyone is quarantined at home, suddenly we are all alike.

We see people we admire on television or movies or the stage in a whole different light.  Gone is the lighting, makeup and hair stylist. When you’ve watched these folks day in and day out for years, you begin to think they are super humans with flawless skin, perfect hair and toned bodies.  You expect their homes to be decorated with the latest style and elegantly.

Seven Reasons You Need to Stop Stressing About How To Decorate My Classroom

That hasn’t always been the case now that the pandemic has kept most of us at home.  I watch Good Morning America every day and I love seeing the newscasters who are televising from home.  In particular, Ginger Zee and Robin Roberts appear to have rather normal homes.  Ginger usually televises outside or near a window.  Robin televises from her basement.  The first week, the wall behind her was plain white.  I think it’s painted blue now.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Robin trades out photos people have sent her after they appeared on GMA with her.  Lara Spencer televises from home with her darling dog, Reba who has calmed down considerably since the pandemic began.  Lara’s house is beautiful, but I think that’s to be expected since she has an interest in interior design  It’s stylish, colorful and but not over the top.  I appreciate that.

This is leading me somewhere, honest.

I appreciate finding famous people quotes.  Just like watching all these celebrities in their homes as they televise, the quotes give me some insight into the real person, not their public image. Many times you can gather some insight into their growth mindset.

I have a blog post about growth mindset here: Growth Mindset in the Study of Famous Theater Artists

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

The easiest way to decorate your classroom is with posters.  Here are seven reasons which you could use from famous stage actors.

  1.   These artists are in the spot light all the time, so it’s easy to find something new they can be quoted for saying.
  2.    Use their quotes in a class discussion.
  3.   Many are fabulous role models for our students (see Viola Davis and Lin Manuel Miranda, for example.)
  4.   They are timely–You can use them all year and they never have to be switched out for others.
  5.   If you find the quotes yourself, they are free to use.  Check brainyquote.com for ideas.
  6.   This is a unique idea. No one else in your school will have them so students won’t see them repeated in anyone else’s     room.
  7.    They can be used a variety of theater exercises or projects–Use a quote to devise a theater piece or in an improvisation.  Wouldn’t that be neat?

Viola Davis 

“Your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.”

Lin Manuel Miranda

“The fun for me in collaboration is, one, working with other people just makes you smarter; that’s proven.”

By the way, here’s a free poster for your use: Lin-Manuel Miranda Poster

Daveed Diggs

The act of being nice to somebody at Starbucks is actually a huge thing. It’s a real change you can effect in somebody’s life every day.”

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Meryl Streep

“The gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.”

Benedict Cumberbatch

“If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people’s expectations, then you can go mad.”

If you are looking for posters for your classroom, I’ve got several. (I could never find what I wanted for my classroom, so I made them myself.) Click HERE.

Seven Reasons You Need to Stop Stressing About How To Decorate My Classroom

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Idina Menzel

“I wish I had read more and majored in literature rather than theatre. I think I would have been a better artist for it. I am trying to play catch-up now.”

Denzel Washington

“I’d be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I’d been given. I’d be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.”

I think it’s a great hobby collecting quotes of all kinds from famous people or books.   They lift your mood, help you to express your thoughts, inspire you, give you a different perspective, costs nothing and are tremendously interesting because you select the ones which speak to you.  You should try collecting quotes.  I have one friend who collects book passages that she loves and notates them in a journal.   She’s done this for many years.  I wonder how many journals she has filled?

In-depth Investigation of a Remarkable Person

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

I ran on to the website: technokids.com with an excellent reason to study people and use quotes as a stepping off point.

An in-depth investigation into a remarkable person can fit into almost all curriculum areas: language arts, history, social studies, science, art, or computer studies. Here are some ideas:

  • Write a Life Story: Practice expository writing. Write an engaging life story that offers insight into a person. Captivate reader’s attention.
  • Celebrate a Historical Figure: Develop a deeper understanding of a historical period. Research the contributions of a historical figure. Explain their importance to the past and influence on future events.
  • Acknowledge a Hero: Inspire others with the accomplishments of personal hero, role model, mentor, or newsmaker. Detail their successes and challenges. Outline reasons their efforts are admirable.
  • Investigate Scientific Contributions: Appreciate amazing research findings and inventions. Outline the path to discovery of a scientist. Explain how their work has improved the lives of others.
  • Appreciate the Arts: Learn about an art period or artistic style by studying a famous artist. Examine their artwork. Describe its meaning and how it influenced other artists.
  • Develop Word Processing Skills: Introduce advanced word processing skills in a computer studies course. Learn to customize styles, insert a table of contents, draw a graphic organizer, organize data using tables, adjust page layout, and add bookmarks.

If you are looking for more theater artist quotes, I have two products Growth Mindset Posters for this express purpose. 

 

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

Here is a new set!  Drama Class Posters

Each product includes:

This is a set of 24 growth mindset, the arts and character education posters which highlights the subject by quoting famous theater artists. In addition, the set includes suggested uses such as class discussion, improvisation or for an essay. These posters can be displayed all year long or along with a particular theme.

7 Reasons to Relax: Classroom Decor Made Easy!

These quotes speak about being your authentic self, how to handle failure, what makes the arts and theater special, being versatile, loving yourself and resiliency.

Although these were created for secondary classes, an elementary class could use these as well. The teacher is the expert as to which posters their students should study. Check out:  Growth Mindset Posters

I heartily suggest you or your students collect quotes which speak to them. One of my favorites by Ann Landers is, ” People of integrity expect to be believed. They also know time will prove them right and are willing to wait.” Boy, that’s me all over although I don’t like the waiting part….

I’ve just created pendants for the theater classroom!  You can find them here:  Posters and Pendants Theater Artists Quotes

What is a favorite quote of yours?  I’d love to hear it.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Seven Reasons You Need to Stop Stressing About How To Decorate My Classroom

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

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My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

If you are unfamiliar with Teacherspayteachers, it is an online marketplace for teachers to sell their lessons and units.  Similar to Etsy, each seller is an independent contractor.  Teacherspayteachers was recently named the #1 online market place for teaching products.  Pretty darn cool, I say.

One of the greatest parts of TpT is teachers selling their best lessons.  That means the buyer gets the best of the best!

I joined TpT about a year and a half ago and I’m very pleased to have found a place to share my thirty-eight years of teaching experience. It’s very humbling to know a teacher has entrusted you to help them and consequently help their students.  Your teaching keeps on going.

I have several most popular products which might be of interest to you.

First, my bundle Set Design Unit and Set Piece Templates. I created this unit approximately twenty years ago and refined it over the years. My middle school students enjoyed technical theatre and many students wanted additional information about it.  Hence, the set design unit was created!

BUNDLE SET DESIGN & TEMPLATES COVER

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

It’s description is lengthy, so here goes:

Set Design Unit 

In this eight day unit on set design, students learn about the history of set design, famous set designers and develop a critical eye about what makes up an award winning set design. Using fairy tales as their subject and setting, they create a ground plan for a story of their choosing and draw a rendering. In addition, the students must work with ratios and measuring. The first two assignments are completed individually, but then the fun begins! The students are paired up to create a model working together towards the goal. There is even room for parents to celebrate the end of the unit with your students.

Included in the unit:

• An overview of the unit for the teacher
• Rationale for teaching set design
• History of set design
• Set designer’s responsibilities
• Teacher’s Questions
• Warm up for day one
• Procedures for each day (8)
• Lecture notes including links
• Information about the message color conveys
• Ground plan example
• Rendering examples
• Stage curtain sheet for rendering
• Step by step directions for model building including photo examples
• Cheat sheet for various set pieces
• Assignment sheet for each step of the design process
• Exit slip prompts for 4 days
• Grade sheet EDITABLE
• Source Page

Set Design Templates

These Set Design templates are time savers for the busy teacher. They were created to answer the requests for additional templates to accompany the Dramamommaspeaks Set Design unit. These products are part of an Elements of Drama product category and suitable for gifted elementary and middle grade drama class.

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Another is Radio Theater I with Free Play, The Invisible Man

This THREE WEEK radio theatre unit teaches the history of radio theatre, Foley engineering, gives students an opportunity to write a commercial, create sound effects and perform in a radio play. Plus students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are strengthened. It’s a one stop shop!

It includes:

  • A lesson on the history of radio theater
  •  Information about Foley engineers
  • Three links to video clips of Foleys
  • Student created sound effect project
  • Five links to radio play performances (some vintage and some recent)
  • A lesson in writing and producing radio commercials
  • Links to four commercials and two acting exercises focused on sound effects
  • A FREE script of my adaptation of H.G. Welles’ The Invisible Man suitable for classroom with NO ROYALTIES for performances, including sound effects and music cues placed in the script
  • Procedure plan to follow throughout the unit
  • Teacher’s script—what I say and how I say it
  • A sound effects quiz
  • A student group example of a radio commercial
  • Trivia about radio theater stars and radio programs
  • Music suggestions with links
  • Floor plan for blocking a radio play and suggestions how to direct it, plus links demonstrating the directing of a radio play

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Third is Costume Design with Fairy Tale Characters

Costume Design with Fairy Tales

This two-day lesson on costume design is focused on fairy tale characters and gives the students an opportunity to be costume designers. Suitable for students in grades 4 to 8, the product is broken in to two class periods, although it could be used for a one day exploration of the subject. This is a huge time saver for the busy teacher!

Note: Not only do I provide you with the lessons and information, but I also share the questions I ask students and give you the time allotments for each step of the process.

  • Students will learn about:
  • The History of Costume Design
  • The Rationale for Teaching Costume Design
  • Costumes Notes for Students
  • Procedure
  • Materials List
  • Source & Video link list
  • A Warm-Up—engaging and creative
  • Fairy Tale Character list
  • Two Assignments–one creative and one written
  • Student Examples

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

Next is Set Design, the Rendering

This two day lesson on set design was created for gifted upper elementary or middle grade students. Students learn about the history of set design, famous set designers, develop a critical eye about what makes up an award winning set design, and draw a rendering of their choosing becoming set designers themselves.

This is a perfect emergency lesson or for a substitute.

Included in the Lesson:

  • Rationale for teaching set design
  • History of set design
  •  Set designer’s responsibilities
  •  Teacher’s questions
  •  Warm up for day one
  • Procedures for two days
  •  Lecture notes including links
  • Rendering examples
  • Stage curtain sheets for rendering–one vertical, one horizontal
  • Assignment sheet (using folk tales as the focus) for both rendering andwritten description
  • Written description examples
  • Lined paper for assignment
  • Source Page

My Best Selling Teacherspayteachers Products

And lastly……Lin Manuel Miranda Famous Artist Biography

Lin Manuel Miranda cover

PART OF A BUNDLE (Ohhhhh, that means there are more!)

Here’s a mini lesson to re-energize your class. This non-fiction biography about the performing artist Lin Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, is suitable for middle and high school students and can be used as a stand alone lesson or with other biographies. Each lesson in the Places Please series is tailored to the strengths of that particular artist. Just copy and go!

Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute?

This Product includes:

  • A Complete Bio about Lin Manuel Miranda
  • A Suggested Lesson, an Exercise in Rapping, Which Complements the Learning
  • Important Dates in His Life
  • Trivia
  • Awards He Has Won
  • Quotes from Miranda
  • Questions and Answer Sheet
  • Source & Links to Movie Examples

This is a unique and product created by an award winning, veteran drama teacher.

Now I’m offering them as a bundle!

There you have it!  What TeacherpayTeacher products have you really enjoyed?  I’d love to hear about my fellow sellers.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Drama Classroom Tomorrow

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Classroom Tomorrow

I heard we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Did you know that? Me neither.

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know those of Hispanic descent were celebrated on a particular month.

Well, they should be.  We are a melting pot here in the United States and should be proud of it! I am.

How to Use Biographies in Your Classroom

Recently, I blogged I am developing biography about theater artists.

One is Lin Manuel Miranda.

Talk about a talent and genius!  Folks, if you don’t know anything about him, you should look him up.

Lin Manuel Miranda Biography

I plan to create lessons on a diverse group of theater artists.  The other three which are completed are Ming Cho Lee and Meryl Streep. I have around thirty artists on my list at this point.

So, back to celebrating National Hispanic heritage month.  Students are turned off by studying history the old fashioned way.  Need something engaging and effective?  Why not learn about an important person and use a creative method to secure the learning? 

This lesson is suitable for middle and high school students and can be used as a stand alone lesson or with other biographies. Each lesson in the Places Please series is tailored to the strengths of that particular artist. Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute? Stay tuned. This is part of a bundle.

 

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Classroom Tomorro

This Product includes:
 
  • A Complete Bio about Lin Manuel Miranda (Note: One is written in a traditional format, and the other is like a newspaper. You pick which you want to use.)
  • A Suggested Lesson, an Exercise in Rapping, Which Complements the Learning
  • Important Dates in His Life
  • Trivia
  • Awards He Has Won
  • Quotes from Miranda
  • Questions and Answer Sheet
  • Source & Links to Movie Examples

I am proud of the products, but I am more proud of the lesson to complement it. I don’t want to share too much about it but to say it has something to do with rap.  I think kids will groove on it or at least I hope they will.

I learned a lot of interesting things about Lin Manuel Miranda while I was researching him.  Miranda works on many projects at once and I do the same thing.  I don’t know the reason he does, but I do it so nothing becomes too frustrating or stressful.  Right now, I have a radio play, biography, short play and power point all running through my mind.

No really, I’m fine.

TeacherspayTeachers.com

If you don’t know about Teacherspayteachers.com, it is a website (similar to Etsy) where teachers sell their lesson plans.  I wish I had something like it when I began teaching, because I promise you I would have used it!

I have thirty-eight years of teaching experience.  I have lesson plans for every grade level, even college.  My hope is to make these available to other teachers in the hopes their students will benefit from them.

Deborah Baldwin teaching

In addition, I directed over 250 musicals and plays during that time and I advise beginning directors in their pursuit.

The funny thing is my husband of thirty-seven years, suggested to me many years ago that I should write up my lessons and sell them.  Uhm….well, I didn’t listen to him.  I thought he was biased toward me.

Well, yeah he is but you know he was RIGHT!

Recently, I asked him if there was anything else he thought I should do that I have ignored doing.  He laughed.  He’s so sweet.

So, if you are looking for something different to do with your students to celebrate National Mexican Heritage Month, try my Lin Manuel Miranda product.  

 Or check out this new One Pager Assignment:
If you are still needing a reason to teach with a biography, check out:  https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2018/09/27/should-students-read-biographies/
 
What are you doing to celebrate national Hispanic heritage month? 
 
I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
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Check out my other TPT products at: Dramamommaspeaks
 
 
Here’s what reviewers say about other Dramamommaspeaks products:
 
“This is a great very well written resource and very good for text comprehension! Thank you!”
 
“This is such a wonderful and creatively made resource!”
 
“Love this activity! What a great way for students to work together!”
Lin Manuel Miranda Biography

 

Should Students Read Biographies?

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The Reasons You Should Read Biographies

Should students read biographies? I say they should, especially theatre artists if that’s their interest.  

Here are the reasons students should read biographies.

I’m excited to share with you the new series of products I am creating.

Places Please is a series of short biographies about professional theatre artists.  There will be biographies about actors, directors, set designers, playwrights, costume designers and more.

Here is some terrific news on Lin Manuel Miranda!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lin-Manuel-Miranda-Family-Fund-Has-Committed-1M-To-Theater-Scholarships-For-Students-Of-Color-20200304

Places Please products include a short biography about the artist, plus a sheet with questions about the biography.  Links to particular works and sources are included as well and a link to a Pinterest board with additional photos of the artist.

Should Students Read Biographies?

Researching this idea, I stumbled upon an interesting article in Time Magazine by Jason Steinhauer, “America’s Students Need History–But Not for the Reasons You’re Hearing”

“The process of historical inquiry—and what it teaches students along the way—is history’s greatest reward. Studying history teaches that society is not stagnant. Studying history teaches us to question how and why things change, who drives those changes, whose interests are served by them and who gets left out of the equation. History teaches that human actions have consequences. Analysis of past events teaches students to ask probing questions, challenge preconceived assumptions and to recognize that humans have the capacity to be both very, very good and very, very cruel.

Analyzing historic documents teaches us to be careful readers. To be skeptical of one side of the story. To be aware of our own biases. Most critically, history teaches us who we are. I am a Jew, a New Yorker, a citizen of the United States, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. These identities mean nothing without a historical backdrop to set them against. “We swim in the past as fish do in water,” wrote historian Eric Hobsbawm. “We cannot escape from it.”

Should Students Read Biographies?

Should Students Read Biographies?

Steinhauser continues, “Our students may not go on to all be historians, or even remember the hundreds of facts they learn in a given year. But through history they can become more disciplined and rigorous thinkers. They can be challenged to be more independent-minded analysts, and, I would argue, more compassionate human beings—skills that historical study inculcates and that lead directly to life and career success.”

What better way is there to demonstrate to our students that we all have struggles, failures and successes?

When I was a student, we never learned about anyone but historical figures. I knew a lot about George Washington (much of which was incorrect), Christopher Columbus (oh my gosh, don’t get me started) and Johnny Appleseed (really?).  Had I learned about people in my field of interest and their lives, I believe it would have helped me understand the initial challenges of the profession.

Check out: Video of Famous Theater Artists

Perhaps I might have gone further professionally? I don’t know.

That’s one of the reasons I became a teacher.  I thought there were some aspects of theater which had been ignored and I wanted to share my knowledge and expertise with students.

I found these really cool reasons to read more biographies by Kevin Eikenberry. There isn’t much reason to give you my thoughts when I agree wholeheartedly with his.

Should Students Read Biographies

Five Reasons to Read More Biographies“They allow you to stand on the shoulders of giants. In the 1670’s Sir Isaac Newton wrote in a letter to his friend Robert Hooke, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” That is exactly what reading biographies can do for you – allow you to see further because of what these people have achieved. Admittedly not every biography is about a “giant” but most are (and you can certainly pick from that list). However, even if the person you’re reading about is despicable and not worthy of praise or admiration, there likely are still many lessons to be gleaned from their life experiences and behaviors – even if most are “things you don’t want to do.”

They remind you that history repeats itself. George Santayana wrote in 1905, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It was true long before then, it was true then and it hasn’t changed today. Reading about the real experiences of others gives context for the decisions and consequences that we all will face. History (recent or distant) will repeat itself because those who are making history were, and are, human beings. One of the best ways to take advantage of the experience of others is by reading biographies of historical figures, not academic tomes about history.

They promote self discovery. A good self help or professional development book will outline specific steps, tools, techniques and approaches to try. These can be valuable and successful shortcuts to help you make improvements and get results in most any area of your life. A biography, on the other hand, won’t be as direct. You will discover ideas and approaches on your own through the stories and experiences of others. This discovery learning process is often far more satisfying, and most always more lasting, than reading a list of steps.

Lin Manuel MIranda cover square

Expand Your Students’ World View

They allow you to see the world in new ways. Rather than being completely focused on your professional discipline, looking at the way you and your colleagues always look at things, reading about someone from a different era, a different background or a totally different set of life experiences will give you new perspective. In truth, most great innovations come from taking an idea from one situation, discipline or industry and adapting it to another. Reading biographies is one great way to do this.

They give you mentors at a distance.If you have read about the life of Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Winston Churchhill or anyone else you select, you have had a glimpse into their mind and now have the advantage or “knowing” them. These people can become your mentors at a distance, if you allow yourself the chance to think about what advice they might give you, or what they might do in a the situation or choice you are facing.”

So if you are a teacher looking for something different for your students, give these a look. They are a bargain, too!

I plan to release one each month until I have exhausted the subject. Because there are hundreds of theater artists, I think this series won’t end any time soon, because our students will enjoy learning whoever is up and coming as well as a veteran.

Granted, not every theater artist may appear important at first glance.  However, once a student reads about the artist’s struggles to become the person we know, everything becomes very transparent.

 

There are bundles of all of the artists available, too:

Theater Artists: Places Please

Distance Learning Famous Artists Bundle

Here’s a collection of 24 posters with quotes from famous theater artists.  I hope you like them.  Growth Mindset in Theater Artists This one below is FREE!

As you can tell, I really enjoy creating these biographies! I’d love to hear how these biographies go for you and your students.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

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