Acting Lessons for Teachers: Using Performance Skills in the Classroom

by Tauber, Robert T.

• ISBN13: 9780275991920
• ISBN10: 027599192X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-11-30
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

Acting Lessons for Teachers presents a solid theoretical foundation for the pedagogical benefits of enthusiastic teaching. Simply put, students are more engaged, misbehave less, and learn better from teachers who teach enthusiastically. A teacher's enthusiasm for his or her subject matter can be contagious. Since the dynamic of the classroom is similar to that of the stage in terms of speaker-listener relationships, the acting craft offers teachers a model for the skills and strategies that could be incorporated in their work to convey more enthusiasm for the material and for the students. This book presents concrete descriptions of the specific acting strategies that would benefit the teacher: physical and vocal animation, teacher role-playing, strategic entrances and exits, humor, props, suspense and surprise, and creative use of space. Special attention is given to the potential advantage of instructional technology as a modern-day prop. Strategies are explained in terms of their importance and ease of incorporation into the classroom. Each is proposed as a skill that can be learned by any teachers who have the desire to enliven their teaching. Student descriptions of their own experience with teachers' use of acting strategies add real examples for each lesson. Finally, testimony of award-winning classroom teachers from a variety of disciplines and age levels provides evidence of the wide and easy applicability of these strategies.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Preface	xiii
PART 1 BACKGROUND
Chapter 1 Teacher Enthusiasm: A Pedagogical Necessity	3	(10)
Introduction	3	(1)
Our Goal	3	(1)
Teacher Enthusiasm: Its Relationship to Pedagogy	4	(2)
Teacher Enthusiasm: Its Relationship to Student Achievement	6	(2)
"Let's Kick It up a Notch!"	8	(2)
Teacher Evaluations	10	(1)
Summary	11	(1)
Search for More on Enthusiasm and Passion	11	(2)
Chapter 2 Boosting Teacher Enthusiasm: A Craftsperson's Toolbox	13	(12)
Introduction	13	(1)
Boosting Teacher Effectiveness through Performing	13	(2)
A Craftsperson's Toolbox	15	(1)
The Craftsperson Himself or Herself	16	(1)
The Craftsperson's Top-Tray Tools	17	(1)
The Craftsperson's Other Tools	18	(1)
Acting Skills, Teacher Enthusiasm, and Student Achievement	18	(1)
Enthusiasm Rating Chart	19	(3)
Summary	22	(3)
Chapter 3 Educational Foundations for Teachers as Actors	25	(10)
Introduction	25	(1)
Educational Foundations for Teachers as Actors: Theorists Speak	26	(2)
Educational Foundations for Teachers as Actors: Practitioners Speak	28	(1)
The Profession's Response, or Lack Thereof	29	(3)
Summary	32	(1)
The Master's Voice	32	(3)
PART 2 THE ACTING LESSONS
Chapter 4 Animation in Body	35	(10)
Introduction	35	(1)
Value of Moderate Animation	35	(1)
Purposes Served by Physical Animation	36	(1)
Recommendations for Productive Teacher Animation	37	(3)
Facial Expression	37	(1)
Eye Contact	38	(1)
Gestures	38	(1)
Posture and Overall Movement	39	(1)
Behaviors to Avoid	40	(1)
Summary	41	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	42	(1)
Search for More on Animation in Body	42	(1)
The Master's Voice	43	(2)
Chapter 5 Animation in Voice	45	(10)
Introduction	45	(1)
Vocal Fitness	45	(1)
Vocal Variations: Paralanguage	46	(1)
Spontaneous Variations	47	(1)
Deliberate Variations	47	(3)
Pitch	48	(1)
Volume	48	(1)
Quality	49	(1)
Rate	49	(1)
Creating Characters	50	(1)
Influencing Credibility	50	(1)
Summary	51	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	52	(1)
Search for More on Animation in Voice	53	(1)
The Master's Voice	53	(2)
Chapter 6 Classroom Space	55	(12)
Introduction	55	(1)
Proxemics	56	(1)
Space and Its Limitations	56	(1)
Blocking the Scene	57	(1)
Blocking the Class Period	58	(1)
Classroom Seating	59	(1)
Spontaneous Use of Space	60	(2)
Accommodating Special Needs	62	(1)
Summary	62	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	63	(1)
Search for More on Space Utilization	64	(1)
The Master's Voice	65	(2)
Chapter 7 Humor	67	(16)
Introduction	67	(1)
Humor: Its Impact on Teaching	68	(2)
Categories of Humor	70	(2)
Gender and Grade-Level Differences	72	(1)
Cartoons: A Safe First Step	73	(3)
Bringing Humor into the Classroom-A Gaggle of Ideas	76	(2)
A Possible "Humorous" Benefit of Humor	78	(1)
Summary	79	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	80	(1)
Search for More on Humor	81	(1)
The Master's Voice	82	(1)
Chapter 8 Role-Playing	83	(12)
Introduction	83	(1)
Creation of Your Professional Persona	84	(1)
Creation of a Character	85	(1)
Goals and Values	85	(1)
The Process	86	(2)
Applications	88	(2)
Storytelling	90	(1)
Mime	90	(1)
Summary	91	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	92	(1)
Search for More on Role-Playing	93	(1)
The Master's Voice	93	(2)
Chapter 9 Props	95	(12)
Introduction	95	(1)
Classroom-Appropriate Props	95	(1)
Props Generic to All Classrooms	96	(2)
Props Unique to Specific Subject Matter	98	(1)
Using Students as Props	98	(3)
Prop Box	101	(1)
Guidelines for Using the Props	102	(1)
Summary	103	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	103	(2)
Search for More on Props	105	(1)
The Master's Voice	106	(1)
Chapter 10 Technology Props	107	(10)
Introduction	107	(1)
Purposes and Opportunities	108	(1)
Limitations and Risks	109	(2)
Best Practices	111	(3)
Summary	114	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	114	(1)
Search for More on Technology Props	115	(1)
The Master's Voice	116	(1)
Chapter 11 Suspense and Surprise	117	(12)
Introduction	117	(1)
Creating the Two Elements	117	(2)
The Unpredictable Real World	119	(1)
Storytelling	120	(1)
Relationship to Other Acting Skills	121	(1)
Bringing Suspense and Surprise into the Classroom	121	(5)
Summary	126	(1)
Through the Students' Eyes	126	(2)
Search for More on Suspense and Surprise	128	(1)
The Master's Voice	128	(1)
Chapter 12 Making a Dramatic Entrance and Exit	129	(10)
Introduction	129	(1)
Beginning and Ending: The Communication Principle	129	(1)
Memorable Entrances	129	(1)
Pageantry and Entrances	130	(2)
Entrances (and Opening Lines)	132	(1)
Ending on a High Note: Exits (and Closing Lines)	132	(1)
A Marquee: The Physical Side of an Entrance	133	(1)
What Is on the Marquee?	134	(1)
Summary	134	(1)
Search for More on Dramatic Entrances and Exits	134	(5)
PART 3 EPILOGUE
Chapter 13 Behind the Scenes, Loosening Up, and Preparing for That Step across the Classroom Threshold	139	(10)
Introduction	139	(1)
Internal Preparation	140	(1)
Loosening Up	141	(1)
Well before Class: Practicing Alone	142	(1)
Well before Class: Practicing with Others	143	(2)
Just before Class Begins	145	(1)
Once Class Begins	146	(1)
Summary	147	(2)
Chapter 14 Classroom Management	149	(14)
Introduction	149	(1)
Putting on an Act	149	(2)
Animation in Voice	151	(1)
Animation in Body	152	(3)
Classroom Space	155	(1)
Humor	155	(2)
Humor with "Down-Under" Slant	157	(1)
Suspense and Surprise	157	(1)
Using Actions to Convey Expectations	158	(1)
"Thanks, I'd Appreciate That"	159	(1)
Music to Soothe the Savage Breast	159	(1)
Summary	160	(1)
Search for More on Classroom Management	161	(2)
Chapter 15 Enthusiastic Teaching: A Conversation with Friends	163	(14)
Introduction	163	(1)
Friends Who Share Our Enthusiasm	163	(14)
Karen Joy Agne	164	(1)
Linc Fisch	165	(1)
Alan C. Friedman	166	(1)
Carla List-Handley	167	(2)
Rod Hart	169	(1)
Robert Keiper	170	(1)
Richard W. Leblanc	171	(1)
Paddy Miller	172	(1)
Sheila Newberry	173	(1)
Roger Soenksen	174	(1)
Rick Thorn	175	(2)
Chapter 16 Conclusion	177	(6)
Introduction	177	(1)
Spearheading Professional Development at Your Institution	177	(4)
Research and Reading	178	(1)
Workshops and Seminars	178	(1)
Partnership and Practice	179	(1)
Willingness and Courage	180	(1)
A Teacher's Manner and Method	181	(1)
The Curtain Comes Down	182	(1)
Appendix 1 Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)	183	(4)
Appendix 2 Testimonials from Award-Winning K-12 Teachers and College Professors	187	(22)
References	209	(10)
Subject and Name Index	219