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Friday 19 June 2015

Find Short Plays For The Classroom

By Freida Michael


A play provides a useful tool when teaching children. Accumulating a number of suitable scripts can be very helpful. Finding short plays for the classroom is much easier today with many available from online websites. Scripts are written to suit particular age groups, from tiny ones to teenagers. These scripts help teachers to involve pupils actively in learning instead of just sitting passively and listening.

If a teacher has a very specific type of play in mind, there are various ways an online search can be refined. The age of pupils, the type and style of play, number of parts are some of the selections offered. Some are more suitable for very young children and others for a teenage audience. The most popular scripts, particularly for younger children, are those that make them laugh.

Shorter ones are easily performed within the classroom. No memorization, fancy costumes, special lighting effects or backdrops are really necessary. Scripts are simply held by the pupils and they focus on presenting the words in a clear voice with gestures. For example, children may be required to act as certain historical characters and play out a scene that actually took place.

Another way a play can be used is in helping to learn certain life skills. What is learned in a fantasy context can help with daily problems like bullying or lying. Universal themes like life and death, the natural and supernatural can also be introduced in this manner. This can help the pupils to understand complex emotions more easily and learn how to cope with every day life.

Pupils all have differing abilities and a play gives everyone an opportunity to find expression, especially those who find academic learning difficult. Drama also helps children who are withdrawn or shy an opportunity to come out of their shells. Everyone forgets their shyness or lack of confidence when participating in drama.

It also encourages working together with others in a group. Each pupil learns how to appreciate the input of someone else and they have to learn to give each one a chance for expression. This is an essential skill to master in preparation for life. Pupils learn to encourage one another, share and participate together in a fun activity that benefits them all.

Scripts come in many different forms. Some of them require participation of only a few pupils but the others must then listen carefully and this builds their listening skills. Others require the participation of all the pupils. Every pupil gets a turn to speak, even if it is just one line. Some scripts have a few main actors and a chorus of players who have to speak their lines in concert. The number of parts required in the script needs to be checked before purchase to make sure it is appropriate for the particular class.

Some scripts have only a few roles and the rest of the pupils are required to sit and listen carefully. Others require participation of many and there are some where many of the children form a responsive chorus. Whatever the form of the play, the benefits are unquestionable. This is a wonderful way to learn, develop creative expression and be entertained at the same time.




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