PREP - A CLASS ACT - A teacher resource for the early years of learning

The book allows teachers to plan their lessons using the Early Years Learning Statements at the end of each Unit. Prep – A Class Act has the potential to provide the fundamental skills so essential to success at school. The Units cover activities in: Vocal and Physical Warm-Ups, Mask and Mime, Improvisation, Articulation, Role Play, Body Language/Facial Expression/Gesture/Attitude, Creative Movement, Stance/Vocal Expression/Presentation, and Group Communication.

There is also a Chapter on Concerts and Performances plus an Anthology of 30 new nursery rhymes and poems.

Early Childhood Australia

"The activities in Prep – A Class Act leap off the page as being tried and true. Very few of the activities need anything more than space and children. Prep and Kindy teachers will love Prep-A Class Act but they should be sure to share it with the Year One and Two teachers. This is NOT, thank goodness, a book about polishing performance, it is about playing, acting, having fun … all the while developing awesome oral language skills, confidence and self-esteem and ticking boxes for Early Years Learning Statements which are helpfully cross-referenced in each chapter for teacher planning. Thank you Valerie!

 

Mathilda Element

Media Reviewer for the Early Childhood Teachers Association

Educating Young Children – The ECTA Journal

 

There is no doubt that involvement in the Arts arouses passions and touches emotions in ways that few other activities are able. Is there any wonder? What other activities ask participants to stretch their imaginations in such a way, to explore little used parts of their brains so much or to apply their life experiences in such meaningful but creative ways? This is why involvement in the Arts, be it drama, music, dance or the visual arts, is such an essential part of a proper and well balanced education. It is life!

 

A colleague of mine who is a choir conductor tells a wonderful story about a young boy who came from an unfortunate family situation but absolutely loved his involvement in choir. At the end of the year he wrote a brief card of thanks to his beloved teacher. It concluded with the words, “……..Thanks for being the only family I ever had”. This is why students love being involved in the Arts and why teachers like us keep doing what we do! May this publication inspire you and those about you in your dramatic pursuits and, in turn, to a deeper experience of life.

 

Peter Ingram

 

Throughout my working life as a Speech & Drama teacher I have experienced and witnessed the development of confidence in the communication process with people of all ages through participation in

activities involved in the teaching of Speech & Drama.

 

I have a firm belief and commitment to the commencement of this process in young children as the skills acquired assist them not only throughout their formative years, both socially and educationally, they

also assist in adult life as effective communication is the basic building block on which all relationships are based. A seemingly simple activity such as mime requires the child to develop concentration skills, to utilise their powers of observation and imagination, to sequence ideas and to creatively, confidently and

imaginatively use space and their body to tell a story.

 

Creative movement, as well as being immensely enjoyable and fun for children, helps to create a confidence with mind/body/space/time that once established cannot be easily destroyed. Improvisation and role play allows children to free their emotions, to “take on” different characters and roles within a supportive and safe environment. This “expansion” of self allows children to “try out” various

roles and real life situations (always relevant to their age and understanding) which reinforces their confidence in the communication process. As well, these activities also enhance the development of

vocabulary in all students. They also assist in a more confident, spontaneous articulation of thoughts and ideas and place children in an environment where their thoughts and ideas are valued by their

listeners/observers.

 

The most important aspects of effective communication are the ability to listen and provide meaningful feedback, to code the message in language that is clearly understood by the listener, to present the

message with clarity making full use of vocal aspects, including moderation of pitch, pace, pause and projection, while at the same time engaging the listener by supporting the message with appropriate

gesture, eye contact, body language and use of space.

 

It is my firm belief, supported by years of teaching, that Speech and Drama is a very effective tool in acquiring these skills. 

 

Pamela Greatorix

 

 

RRP A$50 (Excl GST)