The Official HSB Community Blog - Homeschooling Through High School ~ Incorporating Theater and Drama Into Your Homeschool

~ Home ~ View my profile ~ Archives ~ Email Me ~ My Blog's RSS

Click here to check out the latest contests on the HSB Company Porch!!

Homeschooling Through High School ~ Incorporating Theater and Drama Into Your Homeschool

11:01 PM, Nov. 4, 2008

When we come to the question of how to incorporate theater into our homeschool, the answer becomes a little more involved. Theater can be a bit tricky since sometimes even the most simple and naive looking scripts may be interpreted in a way that is offensive.

I remember going to a "student" performance of a Shakespeare play. We were assured before attending that anything crass would be toned down to accommodate the students attending the "student" performance. However, it wasn't very long into the performance before we all realized that our definition of "student" friendly must be vastly different from those doing the performing. This is what makes theater so challenging if you are wanting to incorporate attendance at performances into your family's lifestyle. However, don't despair and definitely don't give up. Just do your homework! There are more and more Christians becoming involved in this area and desiring to be salt and light and they need our support of their calling by attending and promoting their performances.

So, how do we incorporate theater into our regular homeschool lifestyle. If at all possible, incorporate the reading of scripts and theater pieces into your study of literature. Shakespeare is a great way to introduce theater to your students and also a great way to get them used to becoming a character within a story. If at all possible, group readings of plays are another great way to add some social time to your study of theater. There are more and more homeschool groups out there that are striving to provide group opportunities to participate in theater productions.
I know that at Artios Academies, God has provided us ways to produce full scale productions at local theater venues for several years now. What an incredible opportunity for students to gain experience but also a valuable opportunity to learn to be salt and light within their community. When reading a variety of scripts, you will find ample opportunities to discuss the playwrite's worldview as evidenced in his work and in some cases be able to find ways to redeem and reclaim works that need a new and Biblical worldview applied to them.

As always, when becoming involved in a group activity, be sure to research the philosophy, worldview, and leadership of any organization. Just as you would check out the qualities of a performance you are considering attending, be sure to also check out the adults that you allow your student to be influenced by in this area.

Looking forward to discussing media arts next week!

Faith and Courage,

Lori Lane

Lori is married to the love of her life John and together they have four sons ranging in age from 22 down to 10. She is the author of “Beginning With The End In Mind”, a frequent speaker on home education, family and the arts, as well as serving as the Executive Director of The Artios Academies. (www.artiosacademies.com) You can see some of the pictures of their home in the central Colorado Rockies by visiting Lori’s website at www.theendinmind.net where you will receive encouragement for the journey.

Posted in Homeschooling Through High School, 1 comments, Link
Leave a Comment

Comments
Winning gift idea: ShowSmarts - an award-winning, grass roots, 'how to' book for organizing and directing student shows

11:43 AM, Nov. 18, 2008, posted by Anonymous

I am the author of ShowSmarts: The Volunteer's Guide for Putting on Shows with Kids. It is a unique 'mentoring' how-to resource that very easily steps adults through the process of organizing and directing student shows. Actually, any show. But specifically the contents of ShowSmarts supports the everyday, worldwide grass-root talents and abilites of laymen who keep kids and the performing arts together.

Filled with step-by-step checklists, quick tips, and a focus on personal help - gleaned from the 56 surprise guests of the book - anyone can put on a Talent show, write their own stage material, set-up a one-minute 'family funny' stage monolouge and sooo much more. Best of all, involvement in any and every show job teaches our kids employable skills and develops personal traits that WILL enrich their chosen career paths.

If you're thinking about putting together a homeschoolling performing event ...for the holidays, at your church or in your community (which I hope you do because it's so mentally and creatively refreshing plus KIDS and FAMILIES and FRIENDS love the whole experience) I encourage you to take a look at ShowSmarts. Go to: www.iuniverse.com/bookstore Type in ShowSmarts and click.

This is a soft-cover book that's extremely easy to understand, contains many examples of posters, casting cards, tickets, homemade props, fundraising ideas, and on page 213 there's a "Substitute words for swear words" list.

Moreover, ShowSmarts is all about adults having a conscienceness about pointing out the employable business training the kids are getting just by being involved in the show. Lessons like: teamwork, self-discipline, problem-solving, how auditions are no different than job interviews, so SO much more.

Another unique SURPRISE: Very personally written for educators, on pages 158-159, is a true 'must read' exclusive short story by (the late) George Carlin (he was a friend of mine) found in the Intermission section. His story's bottomline is about looking beyond the problem and into the promise of kids. He shares his own personal experience.

I always say that the best gift you can give a child is a great childhood. I believe involvement opportunities in any kind of big or little performing event... helps make great childhoods.

My name is Terra Koerpel. You can reach me at
terra.koerpel@gmail.com
Thanks homeschooling moms and dads. I've always admired your synergy.
If you put on a show and need help, please contact me.

Happy Holidays. :)

Curious about The Old Schoolhouse

Magazine but not quite ready to commit to a subscription without seeing it first? Check it out for FREE! We're so certain you'll love our publication that we'll gladly send a FREE sample to anyone new to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - we even cover the shipping!

... Click here for more information ...

{ Last Page } { Page 597 of 3253 } { Next Page }

About This Blog

Welcome to the HSB announcement blogboard from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC. We hope you will enjoy the articles posted here by the Porch Team. Please feel free to leave comments!
~ Tia Linschied,
Senior Editor of HSB

The Fall 2009 issue will be
available soon!
Click here to Subscribe!

To see the current cover up close, click here

TOS Homeschool Crew

Promote Your Page Too

Products of the Month

- Get this E-Book FREE!

- Schoolhouse Planner Module ($7.95)
Summer Fun!

- Nov. Molly Digest ($4.95)
Family Photography

Living Heritage UK

Homeschool Resources

Cosidering Homeschooling

FREE E-News!

Our E-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox, and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone. Come join the homeschool party! The Homeschool Minute is our most popular newsletter, full of encouragement and support just for YOU! Subscribe to *FREE* newsletters offered by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

Visit the Porch Team Writers and Features

Tia Linschied, Senior Editor

Monday - Friday! Homeschool Tip of the Day by Christina

Monday

Learning from the Master Teacher

Craft Corner
by Taneil Linschied

Going the Distance
by Amanda Suryan

Homeschool Nations Highlight
by Tia Linschied

Tuesday

Unit Study Adventures
by In The Hands of a Child

Taming the Chaos
by Dell

Kitchen Moments
by Catherine Love

Wednesday

Home Where They Belong
by the HWTB Team

Languishing in Languages?
by Suzanne Gose

Homeschooling Through High School
by Lori Havens

Thursday

Homeschooling is Life
by Nancy Baetz

Communication Corner
by JoJo Tabares

The Littlest Learners
by Karin Katherine

Homeschool Hilarity!
by Tia Linschied

Friday

Homeschooling Only One
by Donna Conner

Special Words for
Special Needs
by Heather

Notebooking on the Porch
by Lisa Golda

Blogger of the Week
by Tia Linschied

News Alerts

HSB Tech Help

What's Bloggin'

HSB News

TOS News

Contests

General Interest

Updates from Germany

Archived Features

Adoption Options

The Busy Woman

Classical Education

Education Through Imagination

The Experimental Zone

Geography Activities

Jamin's Internet Academy

Knitting

Our New E-book ~
On Sale NOW!

Quick Links

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

HSB Military Blog

Growth of Blogs

Sifry's Alerts - the blog of the owner of Technorati

Homeschooling in the news
provided by HomeSchoolBuzz.com

Do you have the whole set of back issues from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine?

Click here to view all back issues and read the themes - you will want to collect the ones you've missed!!