Little Bears Family Homeschool Study Notes
Drama
Contents
* Introduction * Themes * Textbooks, Literature & Resources *
* Links * Suppliers *
Why Study Drama?
Although drama is not included in the National Curriculum as a specific subject in itself, there is an element of drama included within the study of English language and literature. We have decided to consider drama as a separate subject with a view to focusing on the subject's potential:
- As an aid to communication
- In order to better understand other people's lives/ points of view
Dangers with using Drama?
As with all literature, it is wise to use discernment. Even with Shakespeare (often considered the finest literature in the English language) you will find elements of 'bad language', sex and violence, as well as - more commonly - the subtle introduction of values and ideas contrary to God's Word. At the very least, any study of dramatic literature should include an element of discussion/ comparison with what the Bible has to say on the given subject.
Method
With a little encouragement, the reading and performing of plays, as well as writing their own plays for performance, will hopefully grow and develop out of the role-play that children take part in naturally, imitating the world around them.
Later on, we hope to be able to study historical plays, including Shakespeare and, for example, Greek tragedies and so on, alongside our study of History.
Here are some themes or areas we may try and cover in our study of drama:
* Comedy * Drama * Tragedy * Different Emotions: joy, sorrow, anger, jealousy, confusion, love, hatred, guilt, compassion, indifference, etc. * Different characteristics: Mannerisms, voices and accents * Stagecraft: Costume & Make-up, Scenery, Sound Effects, Music, Lighting, Direction, Photography * Miming & silence * Fairy-tales in Play form * Bible Stories * etc.
Recommended Textbooks, Literature & Resources
Press-out finger puppet Bible stories published by Lamb Press - and/ or other drama resources from your local Christian bookshop or try Wesley Owen
"The Mighty Acts of God" from Doorposts
"Armor of God" patterns for costumes, also from Doorposts
An Usborne Introduction: "Acting and Theatre"
"Tales from Shakespeare" by Charles & Mary Lamb
Usborne: "The World of Shakespeare" £7.99 includes short plots of all his plays, and a glossary of 'shakespearean' words and characters
Suggestions would be welcome
Drama is not covered by the National Curriculum as a subject in itself, although it is arguably covered by English and/ or Creative arts.
UK Schools Resources Index:- http://www.liv.ac.uk/~evansjon/home.html
The Awesome Library also has some links:- http://www.awesomelibrary.org/
Blue Web'n:- http://www.kn.packbell.com/wired/bluewebn
Suggestions would be welcome
For details of the stockists mentioned on these pages, take a look at our resources page.
If your firm can provide books or resources at special reduced rates for home educating families and would like to be mentioned here, please e-mail us:- littlebears@tesco.net .
© Sharon Mortemore
Update: 12 February, 2000
