How many elementary school plays do children get to perform in? Do schools have time for plays anymore? Do children ever get to act out dramatically?
Drama can’t be tested. So plays might become a burden for teachers forced to worry about school accountability.
Since NCLB, and no excuses for poor test scores, became popular, putting on plays for most schools went the way of the dinosaur. With the increase of competency-based learning (computer learning), who has time for plays?
That’s unfortunate because plays teach children many skills, and they should be offered in the free curriculum of a public school.
Children have to participate in outside theater groups if they want to participate in a play. Children whose parents are not able to take them to such programs, or can’t afford the program, are out of luck.
Busy parents might not know their child would like performing, and some children might not know it themselves—if they are never given the chance to perform.
Rest assured, there are nonprofits and for-profits who will likely push themselves into public schools to organize plays after school or during the summer. There’s money to be made in a switch to partnerships and privatization.
But elementary schools should not require such outside groups to put on plays that are good for children.
Here are some of the benefits children get by putting on plays in elementary school. Plays do the following:
- Help children socialize.
- Teach discipline.
- Help children learn to depend on each other.
- Provide an outlet for children with disabilities.
- Highlight teamwork.
- Help children with body movement.
- Provide good literature.
- Tap into a child’s imagination.
- Build self-confidence.
- Involve costume-making.
- Can be a form of therapy.
- Teach comprehension and vocabulary.
- Help children overcome their fear of speaking.
- Develop speaking skills.
- Welcome parents to school.
- Show off a child’s talents.
- Generate school pride.
- Teach organization skills.
- Show the parts coming together to create the whole.
- Involve artwork for scenes and props.
- Deal with math skills for making scenes and props.
- Involve music.
- Bring the community together.
- Positively highlight reading and language.
- Address memory.
- Help make future actors.
- Are a welcome change from the usual routine.
- Make everyone happy.
- Bring children together culturally.
- Involve inclusion.
Most children like to be a part of a play. They work on this because they enjoy it.
I was fortunate to attend an elementary school that put on two plays a year. The best takeaway I got from participating in those plays involve wonderful memories that still enrich my life decades later.
What memories will children get to recall later in their lives—test score results?
References
Frambaugh, Kritzer, Stephanie Buelow, Jamie Simpson Steele. “What are Disciplinary Literacies in Dance and Drama in the Elementary Grades?” Journal of Language & Literacy Education. 11 (1): Spring, 2-15.
McLauchlan, Debra. “Playlinks: A Theater-for-Young Audiences Artist-in-the-Classroom Project.” Pedagoies: An International Journal. 12(1):130-142, 2017.
Adomat, Donna Sayers. “Actively Engaging With Stories Through Drama: Portraits of Two Young Readers.” The Reading Teacher. 62(8): 628-636. 2009.
Sheila Resseger says
I’m so glad you wrote about this, Nancy! When my daughter was in elementary school, her 2nd/3rd grade teacher had her class put on a play every spring. It was delightful for all the reasons you mentioned. Drama is a vitally important outlet for children, and that it is being neglected is tragic. I also found when I was teaching that dramatic reading of the dialog of novels fostered a deeper understanding of the story as well as the characters. I wonder if that is practiced any more, particularly with the push for more informational reading and short excerpts rather than full-length narratives.
Nancy Bailey says
Thank you, Sheila. I wonder that too. Everything is micromanaged and children miss out. The emphasis on technology doesn’t help. I hope things turn around.
Donna Reeve says
As long as teachers are willing & excited, it should stay within schools. That’s a great list of benefits.
Great article. Keep em coming 🙂
Nancy Bailey says
Thank you, Donna! I appreciate your comment.
SHARON ELLISON says
IF PARENTS CHANGE THE COMMON CORE, ASSESSMENTS, S,E.L. E.S.S.A. AND ALL OTHER NOT REQUIRED THAT INTERFERE INFORMATION IN YOUR CHILD’S RECORD. TEACHER’S WOULD HAVE TIME FOR THESE THINGS. HOW ABOUT PARENT’S GETTING INVOLVED TO HELP PUT ON A PLAY. HOW ABOUT A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL WITH SINGING AND MUSIC. THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR ALL AGES.
Nancy Bailey says
Absolutely, Sharon. I hope you don’t think I was ignoring all that teachers have to do right now with such accountability measures. I noted this in the post–teachers “forced” to be accountable. I no longer teach but certainly have not forgotten the paperwork with IEPs etc! It can take over your life!
And I think many parents live for getting involved in their child’s school–if welcomed. I too, also wish they would organize and drive back the reforms, but it is difficult.
Thank you!
SHARON ELLISON says
SO MANY OF THE GOOD TEACHER’S ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TEACH. WHAT IS PROGRAMMED AND THEY HAVE TO STAY ON EXACTLY WHAT IS IN THE BOOK OR COMPUTER.. THIS IS SUCH A DISSERVICE. TO TEACHER’S AND STUDENT’S. THE TEACHER’S ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY ANYTHING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO TEACHER’S AND THEY ARE SO FRUSTRATED. WITH THE GOOD TEACHER’S LEAVING, TEACHER’S FOR AMERICA ARE TAKING OVER. THEY WILL TEACH THIS TERRIBLE GARBAGE TO THE KID’S. I NEED TO FIND IF THE RULE FOR TEACHER’S IS STATE RULE AND WHO PUT THIS IN EFFECT. IT HAS TO STOP..
Tammy Mathieson says
Interesting to find this in my feed today. I’m wanting to start a theater club after school for sixth graders but have no idea where to start. Any resources you could suggest?
Nancy Bailey says
I don’t. Anyone? Good luck!
Kathleen Cordone says
I’ve been retired for eight years now but when I taught third and fourth grade (until 2001 when I became a middle school library media specialist to escape the growing emphasis on testing) we put on a play every year. It was usually staged in our classroom where we painted scenery and students willingly gave up some recess time to paint and sometimes practice. It motivated students to get their work done so they could paint during class time. The play was purposely performed at the end of the year because it kept students focused on doing their schoolwork because we couldn’t practice until all our work was done. In some cases students wrote scenes as we adapted well-known fairy tales. The whole school attended in grade level waves with the last performance for parents. And you’re so right….. When I see former students who are now in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s they always mention the play. I love all the benefits you listed of being in a play! I remember one girl who was very shy and she blossomed as the queen in one of our plays. Many years later she married the boy who had played the king!
Nancy Bailey says
I love this, Kathleen. I love that you took charge and did this with your students.
The only thing I’m sensitive about, is that in an ideal situation, it would be nice if students didn’t have to earn the right for drama. And that the whole school would participate. I know if a school is too big it might be staggered grade levels.
My point is that drama should be interwoven into the whole curriculum. But you are a winner in my books! Thanks for sharing.
Kathleen Cordone says
What this really showed my students and me was that when they had a purpose (putting on the play) that they were excited about, they were more focused on our classwork because there was only so much time in the day and we had to find a way to carve that time out to practice. That meant getting done what we had to do for classwork. So many other teachers lamented that the last month of school their kids were already practically on vacation mentally. I can honestly say my students weren’t. And you’re so right about the confidence building. The children were worried they couldn’t memorize their lines but they always did.
My school did have two plays a year, usually a play per grade level, directed by the music teacher…. not the whole school but it was something.
On a related topic, I am SO upset about the pressure on our youngest students because of the developmentally inappropriate expectations of Common Core which is sucking the joy out of school. I’ve been writing letters to the editor for 4 years (more than 70 published in our local daily and local monthly) and now I’m running for the Board of Ed. in November’s election in my little suburban town. I don’t know how much I can influence the powers that be, but I’m sure going to try if I get elected!
Nancy Bailey says
Thanks for explaining that, Kathleen. I did something similar making Fridays a more casual day if students did their work. If they finished and behaved they got to play chess or see a movie (based on a novel). So I understand what you’re saying. And it’s cool your school also had 2 plays in addition to what you did with your class. Sounds like a good school.
I hope you WIN! Good for you! And I hope you know I share your concern about young students and Common Core.
Do you belong to the BATS or the Network for Public Education (NPE)? They often promote school board members and teachers running for office. You might not need that in a small town…or you might. Just a suggestion.
Let us know how you make out. Very best wishes!
Kathleen Cordone says
Yes! I belong to BATS and the Network for Public Education! I even attended the first BAT rally in Washington a few years ago. And you’re right, it is a small town and with 12 people running and 9 getting elected I have a good shot. I grew up in my town, taught here, and am well known. In our small town it’s all about name recognition.
Thanks for the best wishes on my campaign!
Nancy Bailey says
That’s wonderful!
Kathleen Cordone says
I did get elected to the Board of Education!
Nancy Bailey says
That’s wonderful news, Kathleen! Go get em! Keep us posted!
NY Teacher says
And its not just plays.
Field trips
Holiday celebrations
Birthdays
Music
Art
History
Geography
Science
Nature walks
Recess
Field days
Fun
Nancy Bailey says
Right on, NY Teacher! Thank you!
Roy Turrentine says
I remember a child who got to be in his first play when he was a junior. It did so much for his confidence. It bled over into his attitude in school, and I believe, led to his being a minister.