Drama as an art form.

Gavin Bolton's Contextual Drama is the result of more than two decades of study of Bolton's theory and practice. For teachers and those in the caring professions, it will clarify the power of contextual drama as a beneficial learning medium for children and adults, both within and beyond the classroom. The core of the book is a detailed analysis of nine examples of the contextual drama mode; the first five demonstrate and analyze Bolton's practice with children and young people and the final four describe his teaching with adults. Each chapter is framed by an introduction that contextualizes Bolton, from his initial beginnings working with visually and aurally-challenged children to his position as reader in drama at Durham University. The final two chapters offer reflection on the nature of this work and, in particular, the significance of Bolton's contributions to education.

Classroom drama is now a widespread component of the language arts. Yet there has not been an overall analysis of theory, practice, and assessment until the publication of this book by Gavin Bolton.

Explores Dorothy Heathcote's approach to the use of drama to teach across the curriculum.

Gavin Bolton writes about the learning that can take place as a direct result of dramatic activity. He outlines a form of drama which combines two modes often thought to be incompatible--child play and theatre. For worthwhile learning to take place, children's spontaneous activity should maintain the 'living through' qualities of playing, yet be focused by the teacher using the elements of theatre: contrast, tension, surprise and symbolisation.

Role-play has escaped from the drama studio and established itself as one of the most effective learning techniques across the curriculum, and it is also a crucial component of most management training. This book explains how to use it well.

What does it mean to be "an excellent teacher?" To Dorothy Heathcote, one of this century's most respected educational innovators, it means seeing one's pupils as they really are, shunning labels and stereotypes. It means taking risks: putting aside one's comfortable, doctrinaire role and participating fully in the learning process. Above all, it means pushing oneself and one's students to the outer limits of capability--often, with miraculous results. In this lively collection of essays and talks from 1967-80, Heathcote shares the findings of her groundbreaking work in the application of theater techniques and play to classroom teaching. She provides a time-tested philosophy on the value of dramatic activity in breaking down barriers and overcoming inertia. Her insistence that teachers must step down from their pedestals and immerse themselves in the possibility of the moment makes for magical and challenging reading.