Drama Games Module 1: Introduction & Preparation

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Introduction: Why Drama Games, why this course??

So why a course in drama? Why not just look through all of those "drama games" websites? Yes, there are hundreds of websites and books out there with a myriad of drama game descriptions. The problem with most of these websites and resources is that they provide you with games, lots of games, but that is all you get, descriptions of games. Also, typically, the games they describe are general in purpose, they primarily reinforce a drama curriculum. Not to mention that the instruction provided typically assumes that you have a class of around 15 students who are perfectly well behaved and always willing and eager to listen. Most of us know that a typical classroom has upwards of twenty students with varying abilities, willingness and intelligences, as well as limited space and resources. Furthermore when we attempt to use a drama based activity we want it to form part of our curriculum, to reinforce our instruction, to engage our students. Drama games in the classroom should accomplish these goals, they should not just be the go-to on the last day before a break or something to do just for fun, they should be an integral part of a dynamic learning environment.

This is what makes this course different from being just another drama game website. You won't just be learning drama games but how to set up your space, how to corral an unruly set of students, how to take a drama game and adapt it to your own personal needs. And on that note...

Module 1: Goals

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• State how drama games are effective classroom strategy and why using them supports your students needs.
• Set up your class room so that is an effective drama space.
• Comprehend basic techniques for preparing students for drama activities.
• Be able to organize and prepare students for a drama based activity.
• Identify specific needs for organizing students.

Let's get started!