Using Process Drama in the Language Arts Classroom

Process drama is a way for students to learn through interaction. They engage in a variety of activites, like posing in a tableau to portray a scene in a book, or sitting in the 'hot seat' answering questions about a particular story. This method results in a series of interactions between students and the teacher that can enhance student engagement in any subject.

Because process drama lessons are not scripted, in my experience, it’s a teaching method polished through trial and error. However, the benefits can be great. For kinesthetic learners, process drama is a way to be involved in hands-on manipulation of otherwise static information. 

While this method might be particularly beneficial for kinesthetic learners, using process drama-centered tools and activities allows all students to put their thoughts into actions, and provides opportunities for them to apply their learning and clear up misconceptions along the way. It also serves as a way to involve all students in content discussions and activities. In this environment, the teacher’s role becomes one of facilitator and provides support and encouragement. In short, students take control and accountability for their learning. The following are some examples of process drama tools I use in my own classroom. 

A Tableau Depicting a Scene

From my perspective, the tableau tool is process drama in one of its simplest forms. I use this activity to review events in novels and short stories. You can arrange the activity in a couple of different ways. In each of the activities, students work with partners or small groups and choose a scene from a class reading. Students can either choose the scene, or you can have them pick from a selection of scene descriptions placed in a container. Students are given a few minutes to practice their chosen scene with their group. Each scene must be acted out; the students pose as though they were in a photograph, or part of a still image. When students have had to time to practice, I say, “1,2,3, freeze!” Students freeze in their poses and the audience then guesses what scene is being portrayed. I also take this opportunity to have the audience describe the role of each student in the scene.

Freeze Frame

Freeze Frame is similar to Tableau, except that the posed images can be linked to form an entire story. I use this tool when reviewing major events from a novel. In this activity, students choose key events and perform only the most important ones in the story. I have students perform their scenes sequentially.

Pantomime

A pantomime, which is similar to the two methods described above, requires students to act out entire scenes silently. I use this tool when teaching students about plot elements. After reading a short story, students identify and portray a scene from the story, and the audience must identify the event and the specific plot element (i.e., exposition, rising action, climax, etc.). It’s a fun way to review main events as well! 

Hot Seat

Hot Seat is an activity in which students choose a character from a story, and while portraying this person, answer questions. I modified this activity a couple of different ways. In one version I divide students into groups, each group playing a different role. Each student in the group takes a turn asking questions (out of role) and answering questions (in role). This way, multiple students have the in-role experience in a time-friendly manner. A second way I use this method is by becoming a character myself and answering questions. I use this tool when teaching character development.

These are just a few examples of process drama tools. I find them useful for engaging students in content material, and helping them to see information in various ways. I often accompany each tool with a written personal response. I like to read students’ reactions to the activities, and find out what they learned, or questions that were cleared up through the process. What follows are more ideas to incorporate process drama lessons in your curriculum.

 Drama Lesson Ideas:

 Using Drama to Examine Communities: Walking in Other’s Shoes

This lesson is a great example of students using collected information and portraying their interpretations. This is a structured lesson with a worksheet to provide guidance in students’ learning.

Create a Playbill

Students actually create a play in this lesson. The structure of this lesson can be modified to have students create a drama based on other content areas.

The Time has Come: Use of Poetry and Drama in the Geography Class

This lesson allows students to combine geography skills and drama in order to learn content. A modification in reading selections could allow for use in other content areas.

Mountain Creation: A Drama Exploration

This lesson combines science and writing content. Students learn about mountain formations through literature, art, and earth science. This lesson provides different methods and modalities for students to learn content skills.