Wednesday 24 June 2015

Looking For Short Plays For The Classroom

By Freida Michael


A play provides a useful tool when teaching children. Accumulating a number of suitable scripts can be very helpful. Finding short plays for the classroom is much easier today with many available from online websites. Scripts are written to suit particular age groups, from tiny ones to teenagers. These scripts help teachers to involve pupils actively in learning instead of just sitting passively and listening.

A search online can be narrowed down by selecting various options such as length, type, and age group. There are many that last less than 10 minutes and fit easily into a lesson. Comedic scripts are always popular and children often learn best when they are entertained and amused. Instead of just sitting and listening, they are actively participating.

These scripts work well without necessarily having to use costumes or stage props. These can be included if this can be arranged. The pupils do not have to memorize the lines but can simply read from the script, using appropriate facial expressions and hand gestures. Studies have shown that their reading skills often improve greatly as a result of a getting them to read scripts on a regular basis. Their language skills also improve as a result.

Teaching life skills is also accomplished effectively by using drama. Scripts can be found addressing issues such as honesty, self image, bullying and many other difficult issues. When these issues are explored in the context of story-telling, they becomes less personal and the children realize that they are not the only ones experiencing them. Children are helped to understand and cope with such issues in real life.

Pupils all have differing abilities and a play gives everyone an opportunity to find expression, especially those who find academic learning difficult. Drama also helps children who are withdrawn or shy an opportunity to come out of their shells. Everyone forgets their shyness or lack of confidence when participating in drama.

Group activities are an important part of learning. Drama encourages working together to achieve a certain result. Children learn how to encourage and support one another in their performances. They learn what it feels like to share together and respect one another to make the whole experience work well and achieve the right effect.

Scripts come in many different forms. Some of them require participation of only a few pupils but the others must then listen carefully and this builds their listening skills. Others require the participation of all the pupils. Every pupil gets a turn to speak, even if it is just one line. Some scripts have a few main actors and a chorus of players who have to speak their lines in concert. The number of parts required in the script needs to be checked before purchase to make sure it is appropriate for the particular class.

A script may only have parts for a few pupils and the others have to sit and listen carefully. Others are designed to allow all the pupils to participate, even if it only in a chorus where many of them voice the lines together. Drama is one of the best ways to introduce fun into learning. With all the scripts available, you will never be without one that can add to your curriculum and make the learning experience more enjoyable for the pupils.




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