No Series: Integrating Drama with Science and History

Integrating Drama with Science and History

Lesson Objective: Use the arts to deepen understanding of science and history
Grades 6-8 / Science / History
13 MIN

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

  1. How does using movement help students to learn and retain information about molecules?
  2. Where could you imagine integrating movement into your own teaching practice?
  3. How does using interviews help students deepen their understanding of explorers?

19 Comments

  • Private message to John Ford
  1. How does using movement help students to learn and retain information about molecules? Students have learned what molecules do by the dance. Being a molecules is hands on for students and this concept is keep because dancing out what a molecule does helps to remember from actual being.
  2. Where could you imagine integrating movement into your own teaching practice? I can see the benefit of acting out what a thing is and acting out what that same thing does gives a bigger picture when actual done.
  3. How does using interviews help students deepen their understanding of explorers? Students are aware of what is being done, students learn if it helped to learn something, and students determine which help more doing or watching it be done.
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  • Private message to Erin Zost

The teacher is very creative in getting his students involved in the learning process.  The science lesson was good because they acted it out and could then relate their movements to help them answer the definitions to what a molecule is and how they work.  The history lesson was also creative be allowing the students to teach the other students and do research.  This teacher is very good at getting the kids involved.  

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  • Private message to Karl Schleich

In this clip, the teacher demonstrates how a dance is used to deepen the understanding of an abstract scientific concept.  I think any way teachers can create lessons that are more engaging is a huge step forward. While some children will be reticent to engage in such an activity, others will thrive, especially those students who are particularly kinesthetiic, active learners. Seeing a teacher do this may allow a collague to be open to trying such a strategy or validate a teacher who already uses such a practice.  The teacher interweaves the movement/demonstration with a guided discussion, prompted by questions by the teacher. I think this is particularly good for science teachers responsiible for this content, however, the principle can be applied to every subject area. Around minute 10, an example of using drama with social studies is featured. It also demonstrates an way to actively engage students who put themselves in the role of a historical figure or peoples and haave to respond to questions about their lives and sitations. I recall a movie called "Teachers" with Nick Nolte in which a teacher who was mentally iill, actually was quite a good teacher as he had his students act out siituations like Washington crossing the Potomac. Kids will remember things they engage with and drama is a wonderful vehicle!

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  • Private message to Brannon Boswell

These classes were perfect examples of how to implement theatre practices into a core subject. By having the students get up and "dance as molecules" the teacher was creating a visual and kinesthetic memory that the students could recall. I think antime you can get the students out of their seats, you create stronger connections to the material.  They learn by doing, and therefore create a stronger memory of the skills and knowledge being taught.  By having the students perform interviews in character, you are creating space for them to take responsibility for their  learning and it gets them to engage with their peers in the sharing of knowledge.  

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  • Private message to Fausto Junior Gomez
Role-Play is an outstanding strategy for teachers to implement in the classroom. I truly look forward to applying the history-related portion in my 7th grade class, because it will be very engaging for my students to get the opportunity to apply it in their social studies class.
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