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Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook

Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's HandbookAuthor: Viola Spolin
Publisher: Northwestern University Press
Category: Book

List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $19.86
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Seller: the_book_depository_
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 11 reviews
Sales Rank: 66083

Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 233
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.8 x 0.5

ISBN: 0810140047
Dewey Decimal Number: 792.071273
EAN: 9780810140042
ASIN: 0810140047

Publication Date: December 1, 1986
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Also Available In:

  • CD-ROM - Viola Spolin's Theater Games for the Classroom: A Multimedia Teacher's Guide
  • Hardcover - Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
A collection of games and music to aid the drama teacher and give ideas for varied classes.

Book Description
Based on the best-selling book by Viola Spolin, this new CD-ROM of Theater Games for the Classroom offers the most comprehensive theater instruction for all types of students, from small children to young adults. It includes over 130 theater games and exercises, instructional strategies, video examples, a lesson planning section, alignment to other curricular areas, and alignment to California Theatre Arts standards. First developed by Spolin, the originator of modern improvisational theater techniques, these games have been tried and tested for over fifty years.
In the instructional strategies section, Spolin explains how to teach theater, from how to count off for games, to putting on a complete show.
The game file section provides a complete list of the games referenced in a variety of ways, from traditional to advanced games, alphabetically ordered, or by educational standards.
The video section provides brief video examples of the games, especially helpful for those who have never played the games. There is also a video lecture, providing tips for the beginning teacher.
The reference section provides a theater glossary, a bibliography, related web sites, and categorizes the games by curriculum, by difficulty, and by alignment to state standards.
The lesson planning section provides a calendar and game lists for selecting and printing games for each class or workshop session. The teacher can select from sure-fire running orders developed by Spolin, or they can create a list of games from scratch.



Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11



5 out of 5 stars My bible!   September 24, 2002
Alan (Pennsylvania)
32 out of 33 found this review helpful

As a teacher of drama to many low-income, urban, and "difficult" adolescents, this is the book that I find most useful, alive, and inspiring! Simply wonderful for anyone trying to bring the best out of young actors!


5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Learning Tool!   November 23, 1999
45 out of 53 found this review helpful

This book is great to use in the classroom. It is full of ideas and the students will love it. They get to play and act out things while learning, it's a great change of pace. Spolin's ideas and thoughts are very helpful. Get this book, your students will thank you!


5 out of 5 stars It been great in my classroom   November 10, 2006
M. Pedersen (Bainbridge Island, WA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I teach sixth grade math, and have a group of students for an exploratory class. We talk about current events, esteem building, community building, fun non-academic skills with an emphasis on social awareness. I have been using this book for most of the year so far, and my students look forward to it,a nd ask for it. I don't have a background in theater, but this book has several premade units that have a focus on different skills. The one I am just completing focuses on community building for the group and concentration and focus for the individual. I find it easy to use, and I like the skills that it is building and reinforcing in my students. If you don't want to do a whole unit, the individual exercises and warm-ups can be set up and completed in 5-10 minutes. Great,and quick!
I strongly recommend this for any classroom!



5 out of 5 stars Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook   August 28, 2005
Kirsten Prather
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

EXCELLENT!! Inspiring. Well Organized. So many great ideas for the new or seasoned acting teacher.


5 out of 5 stars Spolin is the master   November 22, 2008
MO (STL,MO)
This book is essential for beginning and veteran drama teachers. Each exercise allows versatility and requires the teacher to use some creativity to make it work in a specific classroom. Many more recent books about teaching drama are based on the work of Spolin.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 11



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