1. Course Descriptions (current)
  1. Catalog Description: THAD 239 Creative Dramatics for Children (2 S.H.)

Study and application of techniques that enable teachers and group leaders to guide others to imagine, enact, and reflect upon human experiences through dramatic activity. Offered alternate years.

Catalog Description: THAD 290 Creativity across the Curriculum (2 S.H.)

Study and practice of skills to improve teaching and learning; the emphasis is on creative thinking, bringing information to life and fostering conditions favorable to participatory learning.

Course Description (proposed)

Catalog Description: THAD 239 Creative Dramatics in Education (3 S.H.

The study and practice of skills such as storytelling, puppetry and creative writing to improve teaching and learning across the educational spectrum. Special emphasis is placed on creative thinking that enables teachers and group leaders to guide others to imagine, enact and reflect on human experiences through dramatic activity.

  1. Course Outline of the Major Topics and Subtopics

THAD 239 Creative Drama in Education

  1. Introduction to Creative Drama
  2. As an art
  3. As a socializing activity
  4. As a way of learning
  5. A History of the Art of Creative Drama
  6. Creative Writing
  7. Journal writing
  8. Lesson plans
  9. Games with a purpose
  10. Storytelling
  11. Pantomime
  12. Improvisations
  1. Classroom, Service Learning
  1. Course Requirements:
  1. A daily journal is required. This journal will be turned in at the end of the semester.
  2. Participation in daily exercises.
  3. Handing in assignments in on time.
  4. Written and oral critiques are required.
  5. Performance final.

Evaluation:

Class Attendance 20 pts

Two week workshops, execution of lesson plan75 pts

Final Portfolio25 pts

Oral presentation20 pts

Creative writing presentation20 pts

Storytelling project20 pts

Puppetry20 pts

Total:200 pts

Extra Credit – Attend Creative Drama Session

  1. Rationale for the changes proposed:

Expanding the credits for this course from 2 credits to 3 credits will allow for greater scheduling. Too much material to cover in one two credit course.The significance of the material. In order to more fully explore and deeply investigate the concepts and skills involved in Creative Dramatics it is necessary go combine these two existing courses (THAD 239 Creative Dramatics for Children and THAD 290 Creativity Across the Curriculum) into one robust three credit course.

Syllabus for THAD 239

Creative Drama in Education

3 credits

Instructor: Vivian Fusillo

Office:

Phone:

Office Hours:

Course Descriptions/Objectives:

The study and practice of skills such as storytelling, puppetry and creative writing to improve teaching and learning across the educational spectrum. Special emphasis is placed on creative thinking that enables teachers and group leaders to guide others to imagine, enact and reflect on human experiences through dramatic activity. Study and practice of skills to improve teaching and learning; the emphasis is on creative thinking, bringing information to life and fostering conditions favorable to participatory learning.

Course Materials (Required Text)

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

This course complies with Winona State University’s Academic Integrity Policy as stated on page of the 2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog or as amended and no exceptions shall be allowed. All members of this class must read this policy prior to the first five days of the semester. Failure to comply with this policy shall result in sanctions and action as stated in the policy.

Week One:

Tuesday, Jan. 12 Introduction to text and lesson plans.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 Imagery as a way of learning.

Thursday, Jan 21Physical and vocal exercises.

Tuesday, Jan 26 Mime and improvisation.

Thursday, Jan 28 Creative drama use …

Tuesday, Feb. 2 Oral Interpretation.

Thursday, Feb. 4 Oral Interpretation.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 Oral Interpretation.

Thursday, Feb. 11 Acting out…., other subjects.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 Acting out

Thursday, Feb. 18 Creative Writing, explore all possibilities for creative

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Creative Writing, explore all possibilities for creative

Thursday, March 2 Storytelling, explore many subjects for storytelling

Tuesday, March 4 Storytelling, explore many subjects for storytelling

SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, March 16 Storytelling, explore many subjects for storytelling

Thursday, March 18 Storytelling, explore many subjects for storytelling

Tuesday, March 23 Creative writing. Explore all possibilities for creative writing.

Thursday, March25Creative writing. Explore all possibilities for creative writing.

Tuesday, March 30 Puppetry. Create a puppet, a script, rehearse and present the show.

Thursday, April 1 Puppetry. Create a puppet, a script, rehearse and present the show.

Tuesday,

Thursday, April 6 Viola Spolin exercises.

Tuesday, April 8 Viola Spolin exercises.

Thursday, April 13 Summary Day. How to profit from your creative power, two week workshop, presentation of lesson plan.

Tuesday, April 15 5 presentations (15 min.)

Thursday, April 20 5 presentations (15 min.)

Tuesday, April 22 5 presentations (15 min.)

Classes will require and include:

A daily journal is required.

Creative drama. An art, a socializing activity and a way of learning.

A daily portfolio of all exercises and presentation is required. Evaluation by class presentation with critiques.

Exercises for Imagination

Telling Stories on Movement

Improvisation with Problems

Creating a puppet, play writing and _____ show

Building plays from stories

Speech related activities

Storytelling

Drama as a teaching tool

Prepare a ______workshop

Service workshops of creative drama in churches, schools, libraries and nursing home