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