MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS RESOURCE PAGE

  The Characteristics of a Comprehensive Theatre Program for Middle and Elementary Schools

NOTE:  The theatre program that meets the state and national standards must have intentional, focused classroom instruction as a primary design component.  While that program may include an extracurricular component, the program cannot be solely extracurricular in design.  An extracurricular program alone is not sufficient to meet the guidelines outlined in these standards.  A more complete view of the Standards book that explains items listed below more thoroughly can be found at the STANDARDS tab in the navigation bars above.

NOTE:  CPR        Creating-EALR 2.1        Performing-EALR 2.2        Responding-EALR 2.3

               CPBA        Classroom Based Performance Assessment

                EALR        Essential Academic Learning Requirement

Elementary

• Theatre education at elementary level will be provided by general class room teachers. Schools are encouraged to hire/acquire/retain/include theatre specialists and teaching theatre artists as vital parts of their programs.
• Discrete theatre instruction on skills and knowledge that are grade level appropriate
• Opportunities to view theatre performances
• Theatre instruction integrated in other curriculum areas when natural i.e. science, language arts, history
• Theatre instruction accessible to all students
• Student performance opportunities in the classroom
• Literacy skills reinforced through theatre work
• CBPA given at 5th grade
• Facility available for performance use
• Generalists teacher knowledge of theatre EALR's and aligns/integrates curriculum to them
• Generalist teacher understands artist processes (CPR - Arts EALR's 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) and uses them as foundation for theatre work
• Administration understands importance of theatre curriculum to development of whole child and supports theatre instruction through scheduling, resources, and personnel
• Community partnership are identified and utilized when possible
• Audience etiquette education addressed

Middle School

• Certified theatre teacher conducts classes using CPR (Arts EALR's 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) as a foundation for curricular instruction
• Theatre instruction/classes accessible to all students
• Theatre curriculum is progressive with definite scope and sequence in mind that is EALR's based
• Beginning instruction in technical theatre
• Performance space available when needed
• Partnerships with teaching theatre artist and/or professional theatres
• CBPA given at 8th grade level
• Theatre instruction connect or integrated in other areas of curriculum and art disciplines
• Thinking skills reinforced through theatre curriculum
• Administration understands and support sequential theatre curriculum through resources, facility, personnel and scheduling
• Audience etiquette education continued and refined

Online Resources for the Middle & Elementary School

Creative Drama & Theatre Education Resource Site  www.creativedrama.com

MTI (Musical Theatre International) www.mtishows.com

Lois Walker Plays www.loiswalker.com

Pioneer Drama Service www.pioneerdrama.com

Heuer Publishing www.hitplays.com

I. E. Clark Publications www.ieclark.com

Eldridge Publishing www.histage.com

Plays www.playmag.com  (subscription to a royalty free quarterly magazine of plays)

Books for Middle & Elementary Teachers

Bany-Winters, Lisa                              On Stage:  Theatre Games and Activities for Kids

Bany-Winters, Lisa                              Show Time:  Music, Dance, and Drama Activities for Kids

Bowell, Pamela and Brian S. Heap      Planning Process Drama

Fleming, Michael                                      Teaching Drama in Primary and Secondary Schools

O'Neill, Cecily and Alan Lambert          Drama Structures

Rooyackers, Paul                                  101 Drama Games for Children

Spolin, Viola                                          Theatre Games for the Classroom

Swados, Elizabeth                                    At Play:  Teaching Teenagers Theatre