At the middle school level, students need elective classes that allow them to learn the basics. A middle school drama class allows students to step on the stage and to decide if they want to take a more demanding course in high school. However, starting a drama class takes a great deal of effort to receive permission to start the course and to find funding.
Proposing a Middle School Drama Class
To add the class to the list of course offerings in a middle school, a teacher needs to approach the principal and guidance office. To sell the administrators on the drama course, a teacher needs to show that students will learn more than just how to act.
Students will learn problem solving skills by working in cooperative groups. In addition, they will read plays, improve memorization skills, make artistic backdrops and costumes, etc. Plus, the drama presentations can bring community members in to the school as well as drum up great publicity.
Theater Arts Teacher Certification
Teachers need to have the correct certification. In states such as Ohio, there is a certificate for drama and theater arts. However, teachers can check with their state department of education department to see if they have the appropriate certification to teach drama.
If teachers do not have the proper license and want to introduce drama to middle school students, they can start a drama club after school. Drama clubs allow a variety of students to participate from a variety of grades.
Locating Funding for Plays
In the current economy, adding additional courses may be nixed because of the cost. The best part about drama is that a textbook is not really needed. There are some royalty free plays and low cost scripts out there. However, the true costs come from the sets and the costumes.
The key is to be frugal, to involve parents, and to ask for support from local businesses and community members who support the arts. The hard part is finding the supportive people. Most local newspapers will run articles written by teachers. If a teacher writes up an article, takes a photo of the students involved and asks the community for help, usually someone will step up and help.
In the mean time, students will need to do small fund raisers, such as bake sales and car washes. Some school groups that teachers can approach for funds are student council, academic boosters and parent-teacher organizations. Once the play is performed, ticket sale or donations at the door can keep funding the program.
Once the course is approved and the funds are found, the real work begins. Getting students comfortable on stage, making all the sets and props, and finding time to practice is time consuming but very rewarding.
Kellie Hayden - She is a 19 year veteran teacher with a master's degree in education and NBCT, 2000. Kellie teaches 8th grade language arts, TAG and ...
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