Annotated Bibliography: Source Two

Works Cited

Brock, Jessica. "Integrating Theater Arts into the Classroom: The New Responsibilities of the Elementary School Teacher." Online Submission (2011). ERIC. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.

            This article focuses on theater arts integration in curriculum and how it engages students in the learning process and promotes a greater affinity for education. If students are eager to learn, they will pay closer attention to subject matter. Once students are more engaged in school, schools will perform better on academic testing and produce students who have a better attitude towards education and learning. Brock obtains assumptions such as “students retain more of what they are taught if they are engaged by a lesson” and “using theatricality  (character voices, acting out scenarios being taught, physical movement) while teaching will engage students.” Brock also takes time to conduct interviews of teachers and how they interpret theatre arts into their teaching practices. Through the interview and observations, she found that theater arts integration in the classroom sparks moral and creative expression. If students are allowed this opportunity of expression, they will feel more in control of their education. School will be less of a chore and more of a privilege. It was shown as that when students have an interest in one aspect of school, it makes other subjects more relevant, especially if multiple subjects are linked by a common theme.

            This article starts by stating the purpose statement and questions so it is clear for the reader to understand. Brock then takes time to explain her experience with theatre experience in elementary school, and also incorporated the history of the arts in public schools like Miller did in her article. This provides the reader with a good understanding of why it is important not to forget arts as a “core” subject, as it already has been. Brock then conducts an interview of a sixth grade teacher. In the interview, she asked a series of direct questions pertaining to the topic and wrote the interview so no details were left out. This allows the reader to absorb the information and reach his or her own conclusion on the subject matter.

            This article will help me with research for my paper because it helps show the “teaching” side of my topic. It is the teacher’s responsibility to incorporate theatre into the classroom even if it is not offered as a class in school. This allows the students to still be introduced to the skills to better improve their performance. This article focuses on teaching methods that incorporate theatrical ideas and spark creativity in the students.  Also, it is pointed out that every teacher should somehow challenge the students in this way to better engage them in the learning process. This way, students are benefiting from theatre without being in an actual theatre class.

·         “If theatre arts are used in classroom curriculum, teachers are appealing to several types of intelligences. Students are actively engaged both physically and mentally, using language, body movement, sound, and communication.” (7)

·         “For example, if students are having an enjoyable time writing and performing a skit about how the human digestive tract works, they are learning while having a good time and may not actually realize that they are doing school work and learning.” (7)

·         “If teachers integrate Theater Arts into their classrooms they are benefiting their students and promoting higher classroom morale while covering content standards that are frequently overlooked. With better retention, a larger vocabulary bank and higher interest in school, it is likely that test scores would improve and students would receive a better education.” (16)