Pupils as Playwrights: drama, literacy and playwriting

by: Brian Woolland

ISBN: 9781858564272

Price: £17.99

Quantity:

164 pages
244 x 170mm
ISBN: 978 1 85856 427 2
November 2008

This is an innovative and exciting approach to drama and to developing the literacy skills of children from the ages of 6 to12. It is especially timely now that creativity and particularly drama is being recognised as so important in pupils’ development. The book

• makes explicit links between literacy, drama and the development of speaking and listening skills


• presents case studies of developed process drama, noting what might be expected of children at different stages in their development


• offers extensive practical exercises and activities


• suggests models for planning further work


• provides photocopiable material which can be used with children


• gives advice on how to develop similar materials with pupils

Pupils as Playwrights is for primary school teachers, particularly those who teach literacy or drama. It will also be of interest to primary teaching trainees.

Brian Woolland has worked as a teacher in mainstream education, an advisory teacher for Drama and a Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University of Reading and leads workshops on Educational Drama and Theatre. Now a freelance writer and educator, he divides his time between teaching, leading courses for teachers and writing novels and plays.

Reviews

This is a well-produced book, written by Brian Woolland, a highly experienced and well-published teacher, playwright and scholar. It is written for a readership of primary teachers, and it is accessible, thoughtful and soundly grounded in classroom practice. This is a timely publication in that it advocates the integration of different aspects of learning within the primary curriculum, and shows how drama might contribute to literacy.

The book starts from the premise that 'process' drama, because of its ability to capture children's imagination through improvisation, is a good place to encourage their development as writers. The author shows how teachers might use the familiar dramatic strategies of teacher-in-role, writing in role, role on the wall and other conventions associated with 'process' drama to stimulate different forms of writing. The experience of working in role provides the material and impetus for children's writing and, in turn, the process of writing and allows for moments of reflection that deepens children's understanding of the drama. Children's playwriting, according to Woolland, is an 'extension of writing in role' and 'a way of exploring relationships between the spoken and written word' (p.6).

...this book has a consistency and thoroughness of approach which means that it is accessible and lively to read. It is likely to inspire teachers and children and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is interested in integrating drama into the primary curriculum. - NATE - read full review here


Woolland provides teachers with a powerful tool to develop students' literacy skills. Teachers and prospective teachers will find this a highly useful addition to their professional library. Highly recommended for all readership levels. - Choice USA

'University and school leaders would do well to make this title prescribed reading for both primary and secondary teaching undergraduates and teaching professionals in the field. ...Highly recommended.' - Drama Australia Journal

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