6 resources for supporting English and literacies teaching through drama

We have rounded up 6 essential resources for effective classroom drama practices that support the teaching and learning of English, language and literacies. 

Below you'll find webinars, papers, and activity suggestions from PETAA's literature-based units of work that provide methodologies, insights and ideas for teaching English and drama in the primary classroom. 

Many of these resources are exclusively available for PETAA members.

Not a PETAA member?

Watch: Engaging children with literacy through drama

• Available exclusively for PETAA members
• In this webinar, Dr John Nicholas Saunders explores how drama practices can support the learnings of rich quality texts, and explains the benefits of bringing drama into the classroom
• He provides examples of effective drama practice based on beloved picture book Fox, by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks

Read: Building bridges: Dramatic dialogue in early childhood classes

• Available exclusively for PETAA members
• This PETAA Paper describes an approach to pedagogy in early childhood classrooms that introduces children to literacy through engaging them with guided drama and puppetry experiences
• Using examples and drama lesson plans from her own research and experience, she demonstrates how drama supports engagement, active interactions and reciprocal relationships

Explore: Your birthday was the best! by Felicita Sala and Maggie Hutchings

• Available exclusively for PETAA members
• This teaching unit of work is based on a funny and surprising book for Years 1-2 that was shortlisted in the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards: Picture Book category
• The unit suggests the use of specific drama techniques to explore with younger students in the classroom

Watch: Te Rito Toi: Helping students and teachers return to school after COVID-19

• Open and free to view
• In this webinar, Professor Peter O'Connor describes the importance of the arts as a tool to support teacher and student conversations about wellbeing, safety, and changed worlds after natural disasters and the global COVID-19 pandemic
• He takes viewers through a live demonstration of Te Rito Toi, the arts-focused resources he and his team developed for teachers for this purpose

Read:  Readers’ Theatre texts to improve fluency and comprehension

• Open and free to view
• This PETAA paper by Margery Hertzberg provides teachers with practical information about how to write Readers’ Theatre scripts that will meet the specific needs of their students
• The paper provides insights and opportunities for teachers new to Readers' Theatre, and will complement the practice of educators who are already using the technique

Explore: Aster's good, right things by Kate Gordon

• Available exclusively for PETAA members
• This teaching unit of work is based on a sensitive and thoughtful novel for Years 5-6 that was won the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards: Younger Readers category
• The unit suggests the use of specific drama techniques to explore with older students in the classroom