Have you ever been called in to teach RFF for the day, and the subject is DRAMA?…….well no Prob-lllama, we are here to help you with some fabulous activities and website links to explore. Check the end of the blog for some links to amazing FREE downloads that you will be able to add to your Relief Teaching bag of tricks.
Drama strategies – also known as drama techniques or drama conventions – are the everyday tools of the drama teacher. They help to develop enquiry skills, to encourage negotiation, understanding and creativity. They can enhance performance skills such as character development and storytelling and be used across the curriculum to actively involve students in their own learning.
The first free resource comes to you from Drama Menu
“Drama Menu aims to take the weight of drama lesson preparation off your shoulders, leaving you free to do what you do best… deliver creative, inspiring and progressive drama sessions crammed with theatre games that your students will love. With that in mind, we have created the Resource Pack.
The Resource Pack enables you to get the very best from each and every Drama Menu exercise. If a resource is required, it will be in the pack, just choose your exercise, print out the relevant work sheets / scripts / cut-outs and your preparation is complete.The Resource Pack is available in printer friendly PDF format and for a limited time only it is absolutely FREE to download. So, what are you waiting for? Start making your lesson preparation as easy as 1-2-3 by downloading the pack today!” 110 pages packed full of drama ideas for you to use in the classroom.
DOWNLOAD BY CLICKING HERE (It is only available for a short while so I would grab this one quickly). Drama Menu is a book of theatre games, improv ideas and drama games that will make your drama lessons planning as easy as 1-2-3! The book categorises theatre games into three distinct collections… choose one theatre game / drama exercise from each collection and “hey pesto” (stay tuned for more gastronomic puns!)… with minimal effort, you have a tried and trusted, ready-made drama lesson plan that is crammed with creative ideas, fun-filled theatre games, original improv ideas and countless ideas for drama!
You can Subscribe to their YouTube channel here. See below for some activity ideas:
Drama Menu contains 158 drama exercises, theatre games and ideas for improv… this makes a staggering (and rather neat) 1,000,000 possible theatre game combinations! With such a wide range of theatre games, drama exercises and improv ideas, you will never be stuck for a drama lesson plan again!
The second website I highly recommend is Drama Resource Strategies
This website is packed full of free ideas, and there are also apps that you can download to your iPhone or iPad for easy reference at the push of a button.
Drama Teaching Resources
Arts on the Move Manchester-based drama services, resources and support
BBC Bitesize GCSE drama resources
Drama and Theater Resource (SuperSummary) Comprehensive Learning Guide for Students and Teachers
Drama Lesson Plans Schemes of work for Drama Teachers at Key Stage 3 (11–14 yrs)
Get into Theatre Careers in theatre
Imprology Impro games and courses
Keynote Educational Courses for teachers and students throughout the UK
Teaching Drama Termly magazine with excellent resources for secondary education
Teachit Library of free English teaching resources
Theatres Trust All about theatres for KS2
Times Educational Supplement Where drama teachers go to let off steam and swap ideas
Topmarks Educational resource site for all subjects
The final website I would highly recommend is Drama Games for Kids
“Here you’ll find the most comprehensive resource of drama games for kids and teaching drama tips.
Drama games are an important part of any drama curriculum because they can teach valuable theatre skills while allowing students to have fun, build confidence, stretch their imagination and grow as an ensemble.
Our goal is to provide you with the very best activities that will help make your drama club spark to life. Check back often as we’ll be updating every week.”
This website has lots of links to games that you can access simply by clicking on the link provided. Each link gives teacher directions and notes, materials needed and follow up activities.
MORE FREEBIES
Drama Trunk is an Australian Teacher who creates resources on Teachers Pay Teachers. She kindly has these resources available for free download. Click here to download drama games and drama activities for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2”. This is a FREE collection of drama games suitable for lower elementary / primary school years.
Click here to download a FREE collection of drama games and activities suitable for Primary / Elementary Grades 3, 4, 5, 6. Specific drama games chosen for these primary / elementary years, ready to go and free to enjoy.
Click here to download a FREE collection of drama games and activities suitable for middle school and high school levels. Includes some classic drama games and a few drama game twists. 45 great drama games to play in any drama class.
Happy Exploring, and remember…
- Be firm with your expectations
- Remind students of safety issues and safe behaviour
- Have a clue or gesture to stop students when you need them to be given instructions for a new activity
- HAVE FUN