Active Learning Through Drama, Podcasting, and Puppetry

by Kristin Fontichiaro

Contrary to the trend to do away with arts education as an unnecessary expense in schools trying to boost student test scores, this book promotes and explains the value of integrated arts instruction in furthering the accomplishment of curricular objectives and fostering student achievement. Accomplished library media specialist and arts instructor Kristin Fontichiaro discusses how drama, shadow puppetry, and podcasting can be used as tools to meet curriculum objectives in the K-8 media center. By concentrating on the process of creating a piece of drama or puppetry or a podcast, as opposed to the goal of performance, and by infusing the arts with curriculum objectives in story or research, these techniques can intensify a child's learning and provide context for classroom curriculum objectives. A discussion of the affective and academic benefits of this process-based work as well as sample lessons are included. Photographs and examples of student work illustrate the oechniques. Grades K-8.

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon]

This book is absolutely fascinating. I have always been underwhelmed by the creative arts pedagogy and andragogy. A bit high cultural. A bit try-hard. Fontichiaro has created a fascinating book that works with and through the body, mind and voice. Analogue and digital, this book shows how drama, podcasting and puppetry can be deployed throughout the curriculum. Recommended.