Drama and Writing Ages 5-11 is a practical guide for teachers to develop and inspire writing through using drama in the classroom. Each of the ten chapters provides step-by-step guidance and creative prompts for writing that apply to both key stage one and key stage two, enabling teachers to motivate their pupils by creating meaningful contexts, audiences and purposes to encourage writing. With a wide range of ideas to apply to the classroom, from simple classroom strategies to more complex units of work, this book is suitable for all teachers – including those who hold limited experience of using drama in the classroom.
Including key definitions of drama strategies and practical advice to apply to the classroom, chapters are presented in two parts
Part I provides short and simple drama strategies to act as a helping hand, stimulating the focus of a writing lesson.
Part II provides longer dramatic contexts with a compelling sense of audience and purpose, including a range of opportunities for writing. These prompts may span two or more lessons.
Drama and Writing Ages 5-11 is an essential read for any primary school teacher seeking practical strategies to incorporate drama into the classroom, teaching the craft of writing in a creative, fun and meaningful way.
Author(s): Larraine S. Harrison
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 139
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Acknowledgements
Drama and writing: Introduction
PART I: DRAMA AS A HELPING HAND
1. Physical theatre
The pathway
Embodied capital letters (key stage one)
The punctuation line up
2. Freezing the narrative
Plot books
Flashbacks, flash-forward and dreams
Eyewitnesses
Writing in the frame
3. Strange hot-seating
Real creatures
Imaginary creatures
Objects and the environment
4. Viewpoints
Balanced arguments and opinions
Cats versus dogs
Views on zoos
The discussion book
Character viewpoints: Diaries, letters and postcards
5. Bubbles, comics and playscripts
An extra frame
The one-minute playscript (key stage two)
Silent movie scripts
6. Write back
Write back key stage one examples
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Three Little Pigs
Further suggestions
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
Write back key stage two examples
Dog in the Playground by Allan Ahlberg
Matilda by Hilaire Belloc
Further suggestions
Beowulf by Charles Keeping
Lightning Falls by Amy Wilson
Mr Wolf’s Class by Aron Nels Steinke
PART II: DRAMA AS A COMPELLING CONTEXT
7. An imaginary community: Key stage one and lower key stage two
Key stage one example: Pets corner
Key stage one/lower key stage two example: A beautiful place
8. An imaginary community: Upper key stage two
Upper key stage two example 1: A village under threat
Upper key stage two example 2: A historical community
Mantle of the expert
9. An imaginary journey
Key stage one examples
Key stage two example: The expedition
10. Open-ended drama
Key stage one examples
a. The letter
b. The door
c. The special box
d. Dramatic play
Key stage two examples
a. The key
b. Directing the story
Conclusion
Drama strategies
Further reading and resources
