The president of Nassau Community College (New York) discusses the institution's resistance to strong off-campus pressures to stop production of a controversial play. Pressure came through letters and telephone calls from community members, statements by local and state officials, local media editorials, and interference in adoption of a school…

A trustee argues that public institutions have more, not less, obligation to support free expression. A growing climate for suppression in the United States is feared. The discussion is in the context of the controversy at Nassau Community College (New York) over college production of a play. (Author/MSE)

Describes how one teacher follows up a unit on Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" with a study of the contemporary film, "Steel Magnolias." Argues that both pieces celebrate the joys of life and that the film helps balance what is missing in the play. (HB)

Considers the literary achievement of William Shakespeare and specifically why he continues to hold such an honored and sanctified position in the literary canon. Proposes a theoretically informed, politically aware pedagogy by which Shakespeare might be more usefully taught. (HB)

This study investigated the standards children between 9 and 12 years of age use to evaluate the quality of four types of children's programs: news, educational, dramatic, and cartoons. The quality standards children considered most important were comprehensibility and aesthetic quality. Additional standards were entertainment, involvement,…

Illustrates the possibilities of critical literacy by discussing a project a class of fourth-grade students undertook to write and produce a play about the conditions of apartheid, the history of resistance, and the upcoming South African elections. Concludes that students felt empowered as social activists and believed they had a mandate and the…

Analyzes the effort of a small group of high school seniors to interpret the character of Laertes in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" through a "body biography," a life-sized human outline they filled with images and words representing their understanding of the character. Examines their discussion as they composed their text. (PA)

Argues that drama is one of the most powerful teaching strategies available in the classroom, in all subject areas. Notes reasons drama is not used much. Describes two drama activities used with seventh-grade students, and how they used it (with excitement) as a way of experiencing, thinking through and representing new understandings. (SR)

Combines reading workshops and writing workshops with drama to help students understand and develop skill with writing and presentation. Includes four dramatic-writing mini-lessons. (RS)

Presents the results of a pilot study on the possible advantages of utilizing a strategy based on drama and role playing to develop understanding of basic ecological concepts in students aged 7-11. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Describes the processes of thinking, learning, appreciation, and improvement of higher level thinking skills developed through the exploration and adaptation of Shakespeare's works at the middle school level. Offers suggestions for specific techniques, including character creation, casting, music, and rehearsals. (JPB)

Describes a classroom activity to enhance understanding of how major theorists differ in their conceptualization and treatment of a client's problems. Participants either watched a dramatized play in which prominent clinicians discuss a case, or attended a comparable lecture. Results of a quiz indicate that students who watched the play…

Using Nel Noddings ethic of Care, contends that this model of empathy has elements in common with the type of empathy method actors employ. Discusses the agreements between Caring's empathy and dramatic empathy focusing on three skills method actors use and the three differences that possess moral implications. (CMK)

Provides an interview with Robert Goulet who reflects on the role music played in his young life, his entrance into the New York theater scene, his use of different characterizations, and his experience of taking Broadway on the road. Offers advice to young people considering a career in music. (CMK)

Suggests using a court trial as an activity for teaching drama to English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) students. Describes use of a court trial for teaching Macbeth to EFL students in Jordan. (Author/VWL)