How the Fourth Grade and I Wrote
a Play
Matt Buchanan
Introduction
I recently had an experience with my students that I think is worth sharing
with other teachers. If, like me, you often think elementary school
"class plays" are of questionable value, our project may change your mind.
What follows is a description of the process by which my drama students,
their classroom teachers, and I created a play about the Oregon Trail that
was both informative and entertaining for its audience and enriching and
personal for its creators. This project was an experiment, and it often
seemed likely to fail, but the result was ultimately so successful that
I though it would be useful for other teachers to see how we did it.
I am not suggesting that you necessarily try to imitate our project exactly,
but I think that there is much of value to be found in this account.
Rather than setting forth a series of instructions for other teachers to
follow, I will try to describe both the successes and the failures we encountered
along the way. Every teacher has a personal style, and will adapt
the project to suit that style. I'll narrate the process from idea
through the preparation, writing, rehearsing, performance and "post mortem."
I hope in this way to provide an understanding of the project from which
other teachers can take what will work for them and leave what won't.