Literacy & Social justice through drama Methods of Classroom Drama and Applied Theatre

Using drama and theatre to promote literacy Source: http://www.ericdigests.org/2004-1/drama.htm Teachers hesitate to teach drama because… Lack of resources, Lack of skills Fear of going outside curriculum Drama isn’t just “fun”! It is proven to increase literacy, vocabulary, and communication skills.

Study: Arts education Has academic effect Source: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2002-05-20-arts.htm Studies show that there is a direct correlation between arts education and academic achievement. “Arts education may be especially helpful to poor students and those in need of remedial instruction.”

Drama promotes literacy and language arts Source: http://www.dramaed.net/whydramagames.htm#literacy Drama provides experiences to help with language arts skills Acting helps with expressive read-aloud skills Multi-sensory mode of learning helps language and vocabulary development

International Theatre and Literacy PRoject Source: http://www.itlp.org/ Serves young people in developing countries Uses theatre to empower students, enable imaginations and creativity, and teach English language skills

Laptops in the drama classroom Source: http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/digital_rev/creative/drama/ Laptops in the drama classroom serve as Research tools Word processors Performance documentation Design programs

Community activism through Theatre: The Theater Offensive Source: http://www.thetheateroffensive.org/ The Theater Offensive uses theatre programming to engage LGBTQ communities in the Boston area. True Colors is the organization’s LGBTQ youth theatre troupe TTO’s mission is to fight homophobia, transphobia, and racism through the theatre arts.