Using Drama in Teaching Children | 29 July 2000

Bartley Pasir Ris

Using Drama in Teaching Children

Kimberly Creasman

29 July 2000

I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand.

Drama breaks us away from “mind only” & passive (non-physical) studies.

      Lecture, top-down, imparting knowledge is not necessarily teaching, To experience a lesson, getting the body and emotions involved is helpful in creating real, and lasting understanding.

Scripture is full of drama and Jesus was a master storyteller…

      If we are his followers, let’s learn to follow him in this too!

Today we hope to accomplish 4 things:

1. Learn some techniques for developing confidence and creativity.

2. Practice some acting excercises.

3. Learn some about acting

4. Try out some examples of using Drama with kids

Break into 2-3 groups. Who will work together for the afternoon. 

(Kindergarten teachers/Children’s Workers/Both)

1. WARM-UP  Sign-In onto 2 stickers: you name on one, and the name of a famous personal hero on the other. When most people have arrived put stickers on their backs and explain the guessing game. Ask Yes or No questions to find out who you are. 

Prayer – to the Creator God.

2. INTRODUCTIONS (15 minutes)(confidence in public speaking, communicating your passion) Besides telling us who you are, tell us the name you wish you’d been given (why?), and how old you feel this afternoon.

3. TAG TEAM STORY(listening, sharpens quick thinking skills): Going around the circle, embellish a well known Bible story (Noah & the Ark, Jonah, a story you’ve told recently in class). “Once upon a time…” You can stop and start in the middle of sentences, and pass the story to the next person. Try to keep the rhythm of the story going without pauses, and keep it interesting and lively.

4. THE MIRROR (listening with eyes and ears, getting comfortable making a fool of yourself by being physical, stretching creativity muscles) Object lesson: You must watch, pay attention and know your partner just like we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2

5. THE MACHINE: In teaching the “one another’s” of the New Testament, the importance of all members of the team/body of Christ. Listening with  more than the ears…being observant is an important part of listening.

6. CREATING CHARACTERSTHE WAY YOU WALK (in a circle)show me …shy,… silly,… athletic,… old, … scared, … injured,… clumsy,…. Ballerina,…  being followed,… proud,…robot,… tightrope,… in a hurry,… casual, … THE WAY YOU TALK, Say this line after I tell you one of the characters:“Oh, I’ll give it a try, but I’m not an actor you know!” Now say it again with one of these emotions: Surprised…in agony…nervous…giggling…out of breath…sleepy…extremely excited…hurt feelings… angry… scared…embarrassed… stage fright… eager… 

7. WORSHIP SONG TIE-INS 

Think in teams of favourite Worship songs. Are they suitable for acting out? Are they the spiritual answers to a typical life problem. Think of that problem with the following exercise, improv it with the children.

8. FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S STORY/NURSERY RHYME/BIBLE STORY 

• Sound Effects Only, acted out first using noisemakers, & sounds, then read (Three Little Bears, The Wind That Obeyed vol. 1, p 98; , 

• Listen to Music(3 times) and come up with a story to act out.

• Story Theatre: Narrator can say the character lines and allow child playing that part to repeat the line, or stop, and let the children fill in -- if it is a well known story, or a rhyming word.
• Each child in a row takes an action: Captain Hook, p 18;
• Says a Line repeatedly: The Little Red Hen,

Act out the story: The Man Who Helpedvol. 2 p 102; Peanut Butter Sandwich, p 84)

• Audience Participation(The Little Blue Engine, Can I Have a Stegasaurus Mom? Turn off the Light, p 81, Simon and His Boat)

·      Tableaux

The Boys and Girls and Jesus, Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17;  

Too Little Zaccheus, vol.1 p 6