DYNAMIC LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS
“The Arts teach young people how to learn by giving them
the first step: the desire to learn.”
- Richard Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education
Through role-playing, pantomime, movement and improvisation, students explore issues and solve problems - make personal connections, deepen understanding and discover how stories matter in their own lives.
"This program stretched students’ belief in themselves, their creativity, imagination,
critical thinking and team awareness.”
Mary Martin Smith– Brookside Elementary School
“This experience will last forever!”
Devon (2nd grade) - Seattle, Washington
Four programs successfully brought to both
public and private schools for the past 10 years:
HABITAT – grade 2
STAGING THE STORY - grades 1-6
BRAVE NEW WORLD - Colonial values – grades 4-6
TEA OVERBOARD! – Revolutionary points of view - grades 4 -6
public and private schools for the past 10 years:
HABITAT – grade 2
STAGING THE STORY - grades 1-6
BRAVE NEW WORLD - Colonial values – grades 4-6
TEA OVERBOARD! – Revolutionary points of view - grades 4 -6
HABITAT
Uses dramatic action to take your second graders on an in-classroom “adventure” that challenges them to solve problems and collaborate for survival. The adventure begins with a shipwreck, a deserted island and finding the basics for human survival. As the week of sessions unfold, students discover that in addition to air, fresh water, shelter, and food, they must build community and cooperate for the good of all. In the final sessions, they learn how to roll back the pollution that spoils their “island home”. The week concludes with the creation of a folkdance that tells the story of “the ancestors” first settlement. Time: 5 one-hour sessions per class Second Grade |
STAGING THE STORY
Uses “story theatre” practice to bring literature to life. Using a story that fits with your curriculum, we introduce students to the basic elements of drama. They develop skills in acting and presenting the story to other classes. We examine the way the writer uses language to shape the story and creates characters, setting and mood. We then introduce students to ways of creating their own stories, characters, settings and moods. Students develop skills in listening to one another and responding in appropriate ways. They learn fundamentals of working on stage and the process of creating a performance to be shared. TIme: 5 or 10 hours per class Grades 1 - 6 |
BRAVE NEW WORLD
|
TEA OVERBOARD!
|
DETAILS
Through role-play, pantomime, movement and dialogue, students are guided to explore issues and solve problems, making personal connections, deepening understanding and discovering the relevance of history to their own lives.
In all programs, students work collaboratively and think critically. Costume pieces and props are used to enhance role-play. Students build communication skills by cultivating expressive voices and bodies. Groups perform for each other and, sometimes, a small invited audience. Group discussions are an important part of this work.
Each program starts with a meeting with teachers to discuss goals and procedures, and to identify the space in which we will work.
Price list available on request.
In all programs, students work collaboratively and think critically. Costume pieces and props are used to enhance role-play. Students build communication skills by cultivating expressive voices and bodies. Groups perform for each other and, sometimes, a small invited audience. Group discussions are an important part of this work.
Each program starts with a meeting with teachers to discuss goals and procedures, and to identify the space in which we will work.
Price list available on request.
What Teachers Say
“Our students always love the work they do with you. They learn so much."
Karen Jones, Villa Academy, Seattle, Washington
Ruth McRee’s work with my class brought history alive for my students and for me. We all came away from the dramatizations with a deep intellectual, as well as emotional, understanding of people and events that formed our country and continue to shape American values to this day.”
Gail Kellner, Lead Teacher - The Harbor School, Vashon, Washington
“This program is an excellent way to teach! Students were inspired to become effective learners. All our students were captivated by lessons that engaged deeply.”
Andrew Lohman and Mark Owen - Shoreline Schools, Washington
“Wonderful! This approach really addresses multiple intelligences and makes students invest in learning.”
Jeanine O’Connell, Teacher - Shoreline Schools, Washington
Karen Jones, Villa Academy, Seattle, Washington
Ruth McRee’s work with my class brought history alive for my students and for me. We all came away from the dramatizations with a deep intellectual, as well as emotional, understanding of people and events that formed our country and continue to shape American values to this day.”
Gail Kellner, Lead Teacher - The Harbor School, Vashon, Washington
“This program is an excellent way to teach! Students were inspired to become effective learners. All our students were captivated by lessons that engaged deeply.”
Andrew Lohman and Mark Owen - Shoreline Schools, Washington
“Wonderful! This approach really addresses multiple intelligences and makes students invest in learning.”
Jeanine O’Connell, Teacher - Shoreline Schools, Washington
What Students Say
“I have to say I loved this class!”
Rachel (5th grade) - Shoreline, Washington
“Acting is a good way to put yourself in Colonists’ shoes and think about what life was like for them."
Shana (5th grade) - Vashon Island, Washington
"I think and feel so much more when I learn this way."
Brian (2nd grade) - Shoreline, Washington
“Acting out the stories helps me understand how people felt and why they did what they did.”
Patrick (5th grade) - Shoreline, Washington
Rachel (5th grade) - Shoreline, Washington
“Acting is a good way to put yourself in Colonists’ shoes and think about what life was like for them."
Shana (5th grade) - Vashon Island, Washington
"I think and feel so much more when I learn this way."
Brian (2nd grade) - Shoreline, Washington
“Acting out the stories helps me understand how people felt and why they did what they did.”
Patrick (5th grade) - Shoreline, Washington
INTRODUCING: TEACHING ARTIST, RUTH McREE
All programs were developed and are led by PLAYWORKS teaching artist Ruth McRee, drawing on her years of teaching and work in professional theatre to integrate arts in education. She is a certificated teacher with experience in both public and private schools as a classroom teacher and as an arts specialist. Her work connects with grade level EALRS and Standards.
She holds an MA in Theatre from the U. of South Carolina, trained professionally at the Goodman School in Chicago and at ACT in San Francisco, and has been a member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Screen Actor’s Guild.
Ms. McRee has presented drama workshops for teachers in a wide variety of settings. These include the Imaginative Education Research Group at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C., Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, Wolf Trap Teacher Training, and local public schools as well as several Montessori Programs. She helped develop the first “Elementary Theatre Arts Curriculum Model” for Washington Schools. She is a founder of PLAYWORKS and the Seattle Middle Schools Theatre Games program.
She holds an MA in Theatre from the U. of South Carolina, trained professionally at the Goodman School in Chicago and at ACT in San Francisco, and has been a member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Screen Actor’s Guild.
Ms. McRee has presented drama workshops for teachers in a wide variety of settings. These include the Imaginative Education Research Group at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C., Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, Wolf Trap Teacher Training, and local public schools as well as several Montessori Programs. She helped develop the first “Elementary Theatre Arts Curriculum Model” for Washington Schools. She is a founder of PLAYWORKS and the Seattle Middle Schools Theatre Games program.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THESE EXCITING PROGRAMS: [email protected]