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Supporting Reading Success = Discovering Students" Superpower! Teachers may select any literary or informational text from the Language Arts, Social Studies, or Scienc... Read more

Supporting Reading Success = Discovering Students" Superpower!

Teachers may select any literary or informational text from the Language Arts, Social Studies, or Science curriculum. The Teaching Artist then aligns specific drama activities with the selected content to fully support student learning. (See Additional Notes for examples and grade level adaptations)

The residency typically consists of 5 sessions with possible teacher directed classwork in between. Each meeting incorporates a warm-up, a brief review, 1-2 drama activities, moments of self-reflection, a summary, and a preview.

Session 1 introduces students to Drama and develops comfort and confidence working simultaneously "alone together to focus attention and physically create abstract shapes using movement, freezes and levels.

Sessions 2 and 3 build on what students already know from guided readings of a story, a book or poetry, to explore transforming into a wide array of characters, animals, objects, and components of setting. Rather than "casting parts" , the program emphasizes an ensemble approach, allowing each child to portray all elements of the text. Students work individually, with partners and in small/large groups to brainstorm, problem-solve, improvise, reflect, and revise as they create tableaus, movement, dialogue, and/or narration.

Session 4 encourages cooperation and collaboration as the class develops an original version of the text.

Session 5 empowers students to present/observe the work and give/receive feedback, solidifying their learning in both Language Arts and Drama.

In Putting a Tale on its Feet, movement and improvisation activities focus on personal exploration assuring equal participation, as each child builds comprehension and retention. Dramatic games help all children discover and communicate meaning from even the most challenging text. Imagination and creativity extend the journey beyond the basics of Showing and Telling, into the excitement and accomplishment of Being and Doing.

45-60 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level share. Number of visits are flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Language Arts unit .... Read more

45-60 minute sessions with a culminating grade-level share.
Number of visits are flexible and are typically held once or twice a week to best integrate with selected Language Arts unit .
Schedule determined during the pre-planning meeting based on the needs of the school.

Chart paper or white board Agreed upon materials or copies Non-lined paper for each student (Grades 3-5)Copy of selected Language Arts unit or chapter and related text for the ... Read more

Chart paper or white board
Agreed upon materials or copies
Non-lined paper for each student (Grades 3-5)
Copy of selected Language Arts unit or chapter and related text for the planning meeting

Open space in classroom or multi-purpose space large enough for entire class to participate on their feet simultaneously or spread out to work in small groupsA large space or auditorium re... Read more

Open space in classroom or multi-purpose space large enough for entire class to participate on their feet simultaneously or spread out to work in small groups
A large space or auditorium reserved for Session 4 and Session 5, if sharing with the whole grade level