Teaching and learning is complex. There isn’t a one size fits all answer to anything. Every child, teacher and school is different. And as a result no one specific way fits all. There is however tried and tested good practice. Research from teachers across the profession that you can draw from to adopt, adapt and customise to become part of your teaching practice.
That’s what teaching and learning is. It is about helping you to develop your own teaching practice. Something that will forever evolve during your entire career. What I’ve tried to do here is to collate the best of that research and make it relevant to Drama. Some of it is my own research and some of it is others research. But all of it made relevant to Drama to help all Drama teachers to develop, improve and excel. I hope you find it useful.
Teaching and Learning in Drama
In this section of the website there are nine different sections full of useful articles and posts that will help you, inspire you and guide you in your teaching practice. Have a browse through the sections and the latest posts in each section and I know you’ll find something for you and your CPD.
The Drama Curriculum section is jam packed with articles on curating, creating and implementing your Drama Curriculum. There are articles on cultural capital, metacognition and stretch and challenge. There is also a series of linked articles exploring how Ofsted’s new framework effects your Drama Curriculum.
In the assessment in Drama section there are articles on both peer and self assessment and strategies for improving them, including recording and tracking verbal feedback in rehearsals using post it notes. Post it note feedback looks at how difficult rehearsal can be for keeping control of just knowing where everyone is in their progress. Students are working independent from the teacher, to their own deadlines and creating something that is specific to them. Knowing when and how to intervene can be very difficult. One of the standard ways of doing so is teacher observation. Taking notes on the performance and then giving verbal feeding back to the students on how to improve. But what happens to these notes and that verbal feedback? Post it note feedback of course!
There is a section on lesson planning, full of articles and guides on effective lesson planning for successful Drama lessons, including the extremely well read ICER structure. In the technology in Drama section there are articles on using different technology in Drama, including free CPD on Flipped Learning. There is also a thorough guide to written work in Drama with articles on improving written work, writing about theatre and reflective writing.
In the behaviour management section there are a wide range of articles on behaviour management, the importance of routines and pastoral care in Drama. Behaviour in the Drama Studio can be a tight line to keep. There needs to be noise, but everyone needs to be on task. You need an atmosphere of trust where people can share and be honest without judgement. An atmosphere which is more free and open than the rest of the school but still operates within the schools behaviour codes. Students need to know where you draw the line between these things and what you consider inappropriate in your Drama Studio.
Finally there is a massive section on leadership in Drama with a number of very popular articles. Being Head of Drama is a unique role. It comes with a set of complications that makes it different to other departments and subject areas. There is a very popular article on successful ways to become an outstanding, proactive and respected Head of Drama, alongside articles on SMSC and tips for new Heads of Drama. There is also a fantastic section on wellbeing in Drama. It is packed with ideas on improving and safeguarding both the wellbeing of you and your staff as well as the students you teach.
What is Burt’s Drama?
Burt’s Drama is a website for all Drama teachers. It is a place for inspiration, insight and information on everything to do with Drama. Every week there is a new CPD article posted on the website. New articles either cover Teaching and Learning in Drama or focus on subject content in the Drama Teachers toolkit. Make sure you come back every week, or, even better, sign up to receive new posts direct to you email.
The weekly CPD articles are free. Ever since Burt’s Drama started in 2008, it has been a pleasure and desire to share knowledge, understanding and expertise in Drama in Education for free. To help maintain that free at point access for all and help keep Burt’s Drama delivering high quality Drama resources to you weekly, please consider donating a cup of coffee to Burt’s Drama.
You can also follow updates from Burt’s Drama on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and you can contact me directly here.
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