Creative Drama as a Teaching Tool

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Questions and Answers

What is emphasized as vital for children's performances?

Technical skills

Audience approval

Honesty and understanding (correct)

Costume quality

Why can providing good theatrical experiences for children be challenging?

Insufficient technical expertise

Lack of interest from children

High cost of productions

Limited availability and variable quality of plays (correct)

What distinguishes live theatre from film and television for children?

The length of the performance

The use of special effects

The audience's integral role in the performance (correct)

The complexity of the story

Which group is NOT mentioned as contributing to children’s theatrical productions?

High school drama clubs (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of theatre performance is often considered inappropriate for elementary school children?

Plays designed for adult audiences (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized when drama is taught as an art form?

Aesthetic goals (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT a primary objective in teaching drama as an art?

Creation of complex scripts (D) Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a high-quality dramatic production have on children according to the content?

It nourishes appreciation and gives pleasure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the audience's knowledge of the developmental process play in children's performances?

It enhances their enjoyment and understanding (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of activities do teachers typically start with in creative drama instruction?

Simple group activities (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is generally introduced to enhance the drama experience for students?

Appropriate materials like music and visuals (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of aesthetic education is highlighted alongside the experience of performing?

The experience of seeing quality theatre (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is emphasized through guided improvisation?

Character analysis for motivation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of a stage considered undesirable in early drama instruction?

It creates too much pressure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the teacher play in the creative drama classroom environment?

To create a comfortable atmosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of drama education distinct from cognitive or explicit didactic education?

Education of the senses and intuition (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary aim of drama education as stated by Gavin Bolton?

To help students understand themselves and the world they live in (B) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of drama does Bolton admit he is primarily concerned with?

The cognitive aspect of the drama experience (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following topics can be used for drama according to the content provided?

The impacts of pollution in a community (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does employing drama in the classroom help students achieve?

Gaining a better understanding of complex topics (B) Signup and view all the answers

Cecily O’Neill is trying to clarify drama methods for teachers by working with them over which time frame?

An extended period (B) Signup and view all the answers

What significant social event is highlighted as an example of a disaster that drama can help students cope with?

The collapse of the World Trade Towers (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the outcomes that teachers aim to achieve when using drama in education?

To develop compassion in students (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Bolton suggest about the relationship between cognitive and aesthetic elements in drama?

Teaching occurs through the aesthetic rather than exclusively for it. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to children's plays being recognized as literature?

A growing number of excellent plays by gifted children’s playwrights (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of writing does the book 'Bringing the Word Alive' include beyond playwriting?

Personal anecdotes and journals (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how can teachers help in the process of playwriting?

By collaborating with children to bring their fragmented works together (B) Signup and view all the answers

What impact do props have in creative writing according to the content?

They stimulate imaginative responses in writing (D) Signup and view all the answers

What subjects are now more commonly represented in children's plays?

Characters from different ethnic and racial backgrounds (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Carol Korty's handbook 'Writing Your Own Plays'?

Providing practical help for playwriting in junior and senior high school (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of writing is typically produced by children, as mentioned in the content?

Brief, often fragmented pieces (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective way to begin stimulating children's imaginative writing?

Using story starters or intriguing phrases (C) Signup and view all the answers

What learning objectives did the teacher aim to achieve through the Thanksgiving project?

To meet curriculum goals in science and math as well as social studies (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which crafts did the children create for the Thanksgiving dinner?

Native American headdresses and strings of paper beads (C) Signup and view all the answers

How were the food and decorations for the Thanksgiving project sourced?

Through contributions from local merchants and a florist (A) Signup and view all the answers

What subject matter did the teacher incorporate with drama in the 'Animal Partners' lesson plan?

Humane education and animal behavior (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the first steps in preparing for the 'Animal Partners' lesson?

Putting pictures and photographs of different animals on the bulletin board (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the teacher choose to incorporate the holiday of Thanksgiving into the lesson plan?

To teach children about gratitude through a communal activity (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the Thanksgiving project, what was a key factor in its success as reflected in the children's reactions?

The active involvement of parents and the community (D) Signup and view all the answers

What theme was promoted in the 'Animal Partners' unit through the use of drama?

Understanding and compassion for animals (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do circus arts play in educational settings?

They serve as tools to engage students who lack motivation in academics. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What commonality do new circus professionals share?

They often possess a strong academic background, including advanced degrees. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why was formal education typically unavailable for circus performers in the past?

The rigorous touring schedule made regular attendance impossible. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about past circus performers is addressed?

Most circus performers were highly educated in multiple disciplines. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How is technology expected to impact arts education in the future?

It will create new strategies combining various forms of art and interactive platforms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What basic skills did circus performers acquire despite the absence of formal education?

Basic mathematics and science through practical experiences. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of education did children in circus families typically receive?

Training passed down from family members based on demonstrated promise. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one area where circus performers developed their skills at an early age?

Aerial performances and acrobatics. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond

Published in 2006
Authored by Nellie McCaslin, New York University
ISBN: 0-205-45116-0 (exam copy)
Exam copy ordering instructions provided
Contact information for Allyn & Bacon/Longman representative available online

Sample Chapter

The sample chapter's content might differ slightly from the final published version.
The book focuses on creative drama as a teaching tool.

Chapter 14: Drama as a Teaching Tool

Features a photograph of a teacher interacting with students during a drama exercise.
Historical perspectives on drama's educational role are discussed.
Ancient Greek theater is highlighted as a formative influence on drama as a tool for education.
Educational use of drama in the medieval period (mystery plays) is noted.
A prediction by Tolstoy about the nature of future schools is included.

Chapter 14: Drama as a Teaching Tool (continued)

The concept of drama as a tool for teaching is presented and compared with past methodologies.
The history of theatre and drama in Western education is reviewed, specifically in ancient Greece and the medieval period.
The use of drama as a means and as an end in education is debated.
The role of drama in the American educational system is examined.
A comparison of drama-in-education with creative drama is included.
Practical suggestions include projects that integrate with subjects such as social studies and other subjects.

Part I/Creative Drama in the Classroom (continued)

Discussions about drama across disciplines and levels (e.g., preschool to high school)
Important aspects of drama are covered (improvisation, process, character study)
Consideration of whether drama as a method or a performance is explored
Advice about using drama to teach a wide range of subjects.

Integrated Project

Integrating drama with other disciplines is emphasized.
The topic of a social study often inspires the integrated project.
The integrated project approach involves close cooperation among teachers.

Drama as an Art

Drama is emphasized as aesthetics.
Concern about the child as an artist is expressed.
Objectives of drama-as-an-art are to broaden perceptions and heighten feelings.
Techniques (movement, rhythm, pantomime) for practicing drama are described
Emphasis on working with students as artists is stated.
Understanding student development as a primary concern is discussed

Teacher and Student Roles

A variety of approaches to drama teacher roles (teacher-as-participant, teacher-as-support system)
Suggestions on creating productive and engaging environments for students engaged in drama are provided
The importance of providing both direction and freedom is stated
Importance of adapting methodologies to different contexts/needs/ages is discussed

Playwriting with Young People

Playwriting with students is examined.
The rationale and process of playwriting with students are explored
The value and role of drama as literature is discussed
Playwriting can be employed to illustrate subject areas and address current events
Support for interdisciplinary approaches in education is present

Group Activities/Interaction

Procedures for writing group poems are outlined.
Fostering collaboration through group activities is underscored.
The use of group projects to encourage creativity and develop diverse methodologies is highlighted

Journal Writing

Questions about the relationship between means and ends, drama as a method, and the controversy regarding drama in education are included
Importance of understanding values is stressed
Encouraging personal reflections on dramatic principles are recommended.

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Description

This quiz explores Chapter 14 of 'Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond' by Nellie McCaslin. It delves into the historical perspectives of drama in education, including its roots in Ancient Greek theater and medieval mystery plays. Test your knowledge on how drama can be an effective teaching tool.