Basic Role Play Techniques

This workshop takes teachers through non-threatening role play activities for the classroom teacher and demonstrates basic techniques used in common practice in Ontario for starting and sustaining role play dramas. Several methods will be demonstrated and explained. Participants try out these techniques in a safe group environment. Emphasis is placed on the use of Drama as a method of delivering integrated curriculum. A sense of fun and adventure is a prerequisite for this workshop. (K - 8)

Meet Elementary Expectations through Drama

Drama and Dance Expectations create opportunities for teachers to meet expectations in other subject areas. Steve presents an approach to classroom activities using drama techniques as a strategy for engaging students in learning no matter what the curriculum content, including Math, Science and English. This workshop is for teachers who are new to drama or who are looking for new approaches. Rubrics are included for assessing student achievement, a bibliography and a list of resources. Accommodations for special students are discussed. Connections to colleagues in your area are reinforced and a network is established so that teachers can continue to share ideas and support each other.

The Gentleman Caller: Dating and Courting, Then & Now

This workshop builds a drama unit around century-old objects and takes participants into the Victorian world of the Family Parlour. It examines customs and habits of young people in love in two eras. This workshop integrates curriculum at a number of levels and includes written work, research skills, role play, and deductive reasoning. It may lead to a simulated wedding drama. Its deeper purpose is to take students into the turn of the 20th century, when technology threatened to transform society in unforeseen ways - just like now. (Gr. 7 - 8)

Club Med: The Forgotten Island

This workshop begins with a fantasy - a trip to a luxury club where all diversions and expenses are covered. The participants create wealthy characters and through role play activities, develop a story line which brings them to a remote Club Med. After awhile, signs appear that all is not well with the environment, and that communication has been cut off. Suddenly, these characters who are used to luxury must find other strengths inside to organize and survive. The drama is designed to move into numerous curriculum areas and cover significant content as the story progresses. Teacher-in-role techniques are discussed. (Gr. 4 - 9)

Improvisation Techniques and TheatreSports

This workshop covers the basic skills needed to develop better improvisations. Participants experience improvisation exercises and games aimed at improving students' concentration, timing, creativity and flexibility. TheatreSports activities are featured as teaching tools and an actual game is played as a demonstration of the extra-curricular possibilities. Rubrics for oral skills can be generated from this workshop. Methods for involving shy people are demonstrated as well. (Gr. 6 - 8)

Me? Teach Dance and Drama?

This workshop is custom-designed for elementary teachers who are teaching drama or dance for the first time and are not yet feeling comfortable with them. Jane uses a positive, practical, low-threat approach to build teacher confidence. Teachers of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness and coordination will leave this workshop with practical tools, feeling confident that they understand and can teach the expectations for their grade level. This workshop can be geared to a specific division or grade upon request. Length: 2 hours to half day

Photos from 2008 AITA / IATA International Children's Theatre Festival, Moscow, Russia. Courtesy of Auri Jürne.