Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond, 8th Edition

Encouraging both teacher and student imagination and expression, the seventh edition of this classic text helps future teachers integrate drama into elementary school classrooms and introduces students to a variety of genres and strategies, including mime, play structure, improvisation, and using drama the special education curriculum. Unlike other texts, McCaslin focuses on drama as an art form as well as a teaching tool. The seventh edition features broader coverage of middle school, high school, and adult learners.

Contents.

Foreword–Shitra Schonmann.   

Preface.

I. CREATIVE DRAMA IN THE CLASSROOM.

1. Creative Drama: An Art, a Socializing Activity, and a Way of Learning.

Educational Objectives.

Definitions.

New Techniques in Drama and Theatre Education.

Values in Creative Playing.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

2. Imagination Is the Beginning.

Imagination.

Concentration.

Organization.

Creativity.

Beginning Exercises for Imagination.

Self-Expression.

Communication.

Discipline.

Problems in Creative Playing.

Evaluating Children's Responses.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

3. Play.

A Historical Overview of Play.

Some Theories of Play.

Ritual.

Speech Play.

The Benefits of Play.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

4. Movement and Rhythms.

Children and Movement.

From Rhythms to Dramatic Play.

Telling Stories in Movement.

The Legend of the Shooting Star.

Anansi and His Six Sons.

The Bat's Choice.

The Turnip.

The Dancing Tea Kettle.

The Full Moon Festival.

From Tyl Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

5. Pantomime: The Next Step.

Class Size.

Length of Class Period.

Playing Space.

Imagination.

Concentration.

Sense Images.

Performing an Activity.

Mood and Feelings.

Characterization.

Pantomime Suggested by Other Means.

Starting Places.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

6. Improvisation: Characters Move and Speak.

Simple Improvisations Based on Situations.

Improvisations Suggested by Objects.

Improvisations from Costumes.

Improvisations from Characters.

Improvisations from Clues.

Biography.

Improvisations for Two.

Improvisations for Three.

"You End It!'' Improvisations.

Improvisations with Problems for Discussion.

Improvisations for Older Players.

Improvisations Based on Holidays.

Improvisations Based on Stories.

Role Playing.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

7. Puppetry and Mask Making.

Puppets.

Stories for Puppet Plays.

Little Indian Two Feet's Horse.

The Talking Cat.

The Fisherman and His Wife.

Puppets as Teaching Aids.

The Story of Noah's Ark.

Puppets as Therapeutic Tools.

Masks.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

8. Dramatic Structure: The Play Takes Shape.

Plot.

Theme or Thought.

Conflict.

Climax.

Dénouement.

Characters.

Dialogue.

Action.

Business.

Melody (or Mood Created by Sound Effects, Music, and Vocal Sounds).

Acts.

Scenes.

Mounting.

Subplots.