Drama


 * "Tell me and I will forget. **
 * Show me and I will remember. **
 * Involve me and I will understand." **
 * ~Chinese Proverb **

Using **drama ** in the classroom sparks creativity in problem solving. Drama can help students to think outside of the box and to explore their emotions, thoughts, and dreams. It’s a chance for students to be whoever they want to be, try something they always wanted to try, and experiment with choices and coming up with solutions to not only made up problems, but problems they may be facing in real life. Drama challenges students’ insights. For ESL and ELL students, drama is way for them to engaged, to become familiar with their selves and others, and to put their speaking skills in use. The two activities below deals with puppets, suited for elementary children, and improvisation, for older students. [|ESL Flow]  is a source to use for role plays and drama activities in the classroom.

**Activity 1: Puppets **
===Puppets are good to reduce anxiety and embarrassment with performing. Children can feel confident because they are speaking through the puppet. Puppets do not have to be purchased, but instead a craft to make in the class by using socks, Popsicle sticks, paper/plastic plates, paper bags, crayons, and etc. Students can create their own plays using puppets, which will be great for older elementary students, or students can perform skits already done. [|Puppet Resources] has a variety of skits and plays for puppets. ===

**Activity 2: Improvisation **
===Improvisation is an activity done on the spot without preparation. This can help ESL students to think on the spot, which will help them have confidence to carry conversations and to communicate outside of the classroom. [|ESL Drama]  has a variety of improv skits for the ESL classroom. Here are a few: ===

===Purpose: To practice improvisation, to make a decision, to formulate and answer questions, to express ideas and opinions of another character. ===