Making a Drama out of a Crisis: Improving classroom behaviour through drama techniques and exercises - Softcover

Donbavand, Tommy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1855394464 ISBN 13: 9781855394469

Publisher: Network Continuum Education, 2009

Synopsis

It's every teacher's worst nightmare: starting a new school year to discover a classroom full of little demons. No matter what you try, they simply will not behave.How can this situation be resolved? The answer is through a dedicated behaviour management programme that includes the pupils, and not simply a system of tips and tricks to get pupils to quieten down for an hour or two. And there is no better way to include all pupils - no matter what their skill level or abilities - than through drama.

This book contains dozens of unique drama exercises and games that can be used right across the primary age range to calm tempers, stop restlessness and regain the attention of unruly pupils. Exercises and games include The Hamster's Underpants, which is designed to stop fidgeting instantly among primary school pupils, and The Bottle Ale Rascal, which puts an end to rudeness and bad language in the classroom once and for all.

Focusing on everyday areas of classroom conduct such as fighting, jealousy, concentration, bad language and lapses of attention, this book is packed with tried and tested theatre based games and exercises. Teachers are able to use these with little or no preparation time. The outcome will help modify students' behaviour using exercises which readily fit with the new UK Primary Strategy.

The revised literacy strategy has a particular focus on speaking and listening and this resource offers sound advice about where to turn for help. Issues such as more serious behavioural issues, such as ADHD, are also tackled in depth. 
Whether they need to manage unruly pupils or just work more effectively with their class as a whole, the exercises presented here will give teachers plenty of scope to work drama into their lessons. If your students misbehave, don't make a mountain out of a molehill - make a drama out of a crisis!

Watch Tommy Donbavand talk about his book here.

About this title

About the Author

Tommy Donbavand has written for and entertained children professionally for over 20 years. He is the author of five books, including Quick Fixes For Bored Kids, Boredom Busters and How To Stage The Ultimate Kids' Party; he writes for several UK magazines, such as Practical Preschool, Creative Steps and Junior Education; and he's responsible for five episodes of the hit Children's BBC series, Planet Cook.

More than a dozen of Tommy's plays for children have been produced for national tours. He has also created drama exercises and workshops for schools across mainland UK and Northern Ireland, and has devised and run drama workshops for the Society of London Theatre's Kids' Week based on West End musicals in which he has been acting.

Review

"This version of Aladdin guarantees a great show from start to finish. Full of laughs and drama, suitable for any age group and very easy to stage. I've read the script again and again and can't wait to start rehearsals. Tommy Donbavand is a true panto king!"
Scott Bagnall, Youth Theatre Director, Trinity Drama Group And Friends, November 2008

Edition details

• Publisher: Network Continuum Education
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1855394464
• ISBN 13: 9781855394469
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160