Stage Craft: Taking Cues from Theater Class to Help Make Math and Science Fun

When I am in front of my students, I feel like I am an actress in a neverending play trying to hold and captivate my audience enticing them to anticipate what will happen next. Students should have that same feeling. I think that his why many are so involved in sports, sometimes to the point where is becomes an obsession. Imagine students become obsessive in regards to reading, writing, math, science, etc. The article makes many good points: (1) players are active participants in sports. They are not allowed to opt out as so many of our students do. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. In sports and the theater team members feel valued and the feel that adults (coaches, directors) are "truly" interested in helping them put their best foot forward. In schools, when the going gets tough, students quit, give up, make excuses. I as a teacher am guilty of the same behaviors demonstrated by students. What theater and sports have that many classrooms lack is an expectation of active participation. This article supports the need to maintain creativity, flexibility and inventiveness in our teaching. In this day and age of standardized performances, no child left behind, school labels, etc. schools are wary of deviating from the prescribed reading, math, science curriculums. Much of the curriculum used today is scripted and we are told to not deviate from the scripted words, activites, engagement prescribed by the curriculum. I think many of us are aware of the need to provide simulations, scenarios, and real world experiences.