Saturday, March 18, 2017

Drama and Writing: SOLSD day 18

Today I carved out an hour to go watch one my students perform at our local children's theater.  I watched my little Lady Bug Girl, my nickname for this little lady who reminds me so much of the girl in Jacky Davis and David Soman's Lady Bug Girl books who like my student, does everything her way and owns it all the way!

As the acting teacher directed the students to take on a variety of emotions and physical characteristics of people or animals.  I watched Lady Bug Girl transform from a sweet seven-year-old to a person ten times her age.  With a little direction, she bent slightly at the knees, rolled her shoulders forward, arched her back, and extended a shaky arm from her body with all five fingers crimped to imply she's holding a cane. She took a few staggered steps and said her line with a shrill voice.  So much information conveyed through her body making her line unnecessary.

I thought about these small moments and details involved in the seamless transformation and all along I couldn't help see how this acting was intersecting writing.  How can I help my writers see the connection between their dramatic play and writing?

Have you used drama in writing? I would love to know who you did this and what you think the children learned from this experience.  Please comment below to share.
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5 comments:

  1. JudyK /J KovalMarch 18, 2017 at 11:40 PM

    You have to be able to see things from a different point of view in order to act. Seeing things from a different point of view can only help someone's writing, right? I can see where one could help the other! ~JudyK

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  2. Krista SchmidtMarch 19, 2017 at 12:39 AM

    Hmm...it would be really interesting to explore the connection between drama and writing. You've got the wheels turning now!

    And how cool that you took the time to go see your student's outside activity!

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  3. LoraleeMarch 19, 2017 at 4:42 AM

    Thank you for this reminder! It's exactly what I needed!

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  4. MandyMarch 19, 2017 at 7:40 AM

    Yes, I have. Often to retell stories we've read with props they've made. Comprehension and characters were enhanced. Sometimes to summarize content learning to share with others. This was back at my old school.

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  5. KendraMarch 19, 2017 at 9:01 AM

    Deb, I loved reading this. I don't usually leave a link on another teacher's blog, but I'm going to today, because I've been considering the same concept through puppetry and storytelling. I would love to chat with you more about this.

    I love the idea of theater prompting this writing as well. In my new position, I've learned we go every year. :)

    http://simplylearningtogether.blogspot.com/2017/03/sol-challenge-day-18-some-thoughts-on.html

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