Drama at Key Stages 1 and 2

Resourcing Drama from Literature

Watching drama examples from across the curriculum

Choose one of the following Teachers TV extracts and watch them with student teachers. Neither offers a full uninterrupted drama lesson, but both demonstrate the value of drama as a tool for learning though in other areas of the curriculum.

A Key Stage One lesson based around science, literacy and drama. Watch the 15 minute video of Kerry Smith from Hotwells Primary School, Bristol, using drama as part of science and literacy work with Key Stage 1 children. The children use their observations to engage in mime, to mirror each other, to develop a decision alley and present their poetry based around minibeasts. Kerry is concerned to make use of drama as she is aware of its motivating power, particularly for boys who, she notes, 'need the chance to talk before they put pencil to paper'.

A Key Stage Two lesson which includes drama, history and literacy. Watch the video of Ginny Perrin's class from Hillcrest Primary School, Bristol, dressing up in World War II clothing and role playing evacuees leaving and arriving at their new destinations in the countryside. Discuss with the student teachers whether they think the use of costumes and props, and the IWB enrich the experience for the learners. It is not known which novel or other texts have been read to this class, but many exist and can enrich drama, enabling children to inhabit the feelings, concerns and attitudes of the characters in texts and making use of their knowledge of the period. Such drama can work in tandem with the re-enactment shown here.

For an accessible reading connecting drama and spirituality, see Grainger, T. and Kendall-Seatter, S. (2003). Drama and Spirituality: reflective connections. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 8(1), pp. 25–32. Go to Open Research Online http://oro.open.ac.uk/12522/.