Middle Mania: Imaginative Theater Projects for Middle School Actors (Young Actors Series)

Rating:
Summary: Catch a case of Middle Mania!
Review: All my life I have wanted to write a book. I knew that I would do it someday, I just didn't know what the subject would be. Combining my love of theatre and my desire to help teachers teach drama in unique and creative ways lead to this book. It is filled with imaginative projects that really work, not only for teaching theatre, but you can use the projects to work collaboratively with other teachers. This book brings students and teachers together to do drama. It is my journey. I hope that you will make it a part of yours.

Rating:
Summary: A Review from THE BOOK REPORT, Sept./Oct. 2002
Review: Almost as soon as I began reading Johnson's book, I was thinking of individuals in our school with whom I could share it. Although it is written for theater teachers, it's useful for any teacher or administrator that might occasionally need an activity for community building. The book is written for middle school environments, but the ideas could easily be transformed for high schools or elementary schools as well. The chapters consist of seven different activities that promote involvement from all students, even the shyest, that are also fun for adult moderators. A few of the activities include Mask/Movement, Clan Drama: Solving a Mystery, and Rock 'n' Roll Playwriting. Step-by-step instructions for developing and organizing the projects are broken down into chapter sections. I especially like the preface that summarizes each chapter and activity into single paragraphs. Following the activities, Johnson provides curriculum summaries, assignment sheets, grade assessment charts, and reflections on the book's projects. Every school should have at least one project. Highly Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Fun! Creative! What a relief!!
Review: I teach middle school drama to 8th, 7th, and 6th grade every day! Approximately 600 students rotate through my curriculum each year! The activities presented in MIDDLE MANIA have prompted me to revamp my whole approach in teaching drama. They are fun, creative, easy to do and feel a lot less stressful than continually preparing for large-scale productions. What a gift! Thank you for sharing, Maureen!!

Rating:
Summary: Fun! Creative! What a relief!!
Review: I teach middle school drama to 8th, 7th, and 6th grade every day! Approximately 600 students rotate through my curriculum each year! The activities presented in MIDDLE MANIA have prompted me to revamp my whole approach in teaching drama. They are fun, creative, easy to do and feel a lot less stressful than continually preparing for large-scale productions. What a gift! Thank you for sharing, Maureen!!