Drama Games Module 1: Lesson 3 - Organizing your students

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The students are now seated quietly...

...and are eagerly awaiting instruction. Not likely! If this is what happens in your classroom any time you start something new, then well done! You are one of those educators who has flawless classroom management skills and deserves one of those teaching awards that the rest of us mere mortals can only ever dream of. Seriously, if this is the case, and your students are sitting quietly awaiting further instruction then you deserve a pat on the back and you can go straight into the Games Unit.

For the rest of us though, there is this...

The Waiting Game

With your students sitting in the circle, quietly chatting, jostling and poking each other you must wait. That's right, wait.

• Do not speak.

• Do not engage.

• Do not answer questions.

• Sit...
  

• ...in silence.
  

• Wait.
  

Their attention will arrive eventually, (You can almost hear the second hand on your wall clock ticking).

"This approach removes a great deal of the need for discipline and attention getting devices on the part of the teacher. Tell the group that you are not going to fight for their attention or quiet, that whenever they are together as a group for instruction or discussion, you will just wait until they are ready to listen.

The leaders waiting must have a quality of nothingness... no resignation or martyred patience: all questions and interruptions must be ignored. It must be a non-threatening attitude as well; do not worry about the time you are wasting. If you persevere with them in the beginning you will save great quantities of time and effort later."
Donna Brandes and Howard Phillips state in Gamesters Handbook (1989)

This seems counter-intuitive to many teachers, our first instinct is to take control by shushing or giving instructions for behavior and actions. For a drama session, however, you want your students to take responsibility for their own actions, they need to be able to self regulate, if you establish that drama is a fun way to learn and a break from the norm then your students will not want to waste time by getting off-task.

Admittedly the first time you attempt "the waiting game" you may have to sit for a while (and your instincts will be to start shushing, (fight the urge!) after a few attempts though, your students will begin to regulate their own and each other's behavior. Making everything that follows even simpler and establishing that when you need the groups attention you MUST have it.

Once the entire group is silently waiting for you, then, and only then should you begin.

Controlled Chaos - Establishing Expectations

With the entire groups focus on you, the leader and instructor, now is the time to establish your behavioral expectations. As with any direct instruction, speak clearly and be specific. Clear expectations set now will remove a range of problems later.

At this stage you should create a list of instructions that are appropriate for your classroom environment and school, the following are some general suggestions and why they are important:

Everyone participates

No one gets a pass, everyone must be involved.

It is important to establish an environment of trust and to iterate that you are there to support your students, not embarrass them. So explain to them, "You will not be forced to do anything that you are genuinely uncomfortable with, but it is important that you try to do whatever I ask of you. You may be asked to do something that feels a bit silly, but that's ok, because everyone else will be doing it to, so we'll all be looking silly together and looking silly is ok every now and then."

Follow instructions

As with any game, drama exercises work because they have a structure, there are rules and parameters. These must be followed by all participants otherwise the games just won't work. Explain that the games are supposed to be fun but will only be that way if we're all involved, together, if one or two people just start doing their own thing then it stops the game from being fun for everyone else.

Note: If during a game you have a student who starts disrupting and trying to dominate don't be afraid to stop. Just stop. Explain why you have stopped and then start the game over. The group will self-regulate.

Respect one another

Again, sometimes during drama games we can all look a bit foolish but that's good as it reveals a level of comfort. Set the expectation that we laugh with one another, not at one another (explain the difference if necessary). Essentially make it plain that "bullying of any kind will not be tolerated".

It is very important to create an environment of support, if students feel like they will be made fun of they won't be prepared to take creative risks, if they feel supported they will.

Signal for silence

There are times during a drama game when the group can appear, to the untrained eye, to be in complete chaos. To those of us in the know we are aware that, yes, it definitely is in chaos but it is controlled chaos, and we are the ones who are in control.

To bring the chaos in line you need to establish a signal that you will give to your class when you want their attention. This should be something audible that requires a response. Clapping in rhythm works well or one quick strike on a drum or desk, it should not be anything that requires you using your voice. You will only strain yourself or become frustrated if you are repeatedly shouting "1...2...3..." over the noise of twenty loud teenagers, they will also definitely not hear you.

The purpose of the signal is to get the group to stop what they are doing and look toward you, without any frustration, strain or disrespect. Establishing and practicing this before you even start a game sets your expectation at a time when you have your students undivided attention.

Notes on organizing your students

• During an activity you may have to repeat your signal two or three times, that's ok, be patient and keep doing it until the group comes around.

• The first time you ask your students to set up your room and you set your expectations will take some time. Allocate at least 50 - 75% of your time the first time you try drama activities to getting this done. It seems dull but setting a good foundation makes evertything else that follows simpler.

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References

Brandes, D., & Phillips, H. (1989). Gamesters' Handbook. London: Hutchinson Education.