Drama instruction is always fun! Here are some ideas to incorporate drama into your homeschool classroom to add creative expression and excitement in your curriculum.

First, you need to know the types of dramatic arts that can be implemented with your class. Here is a basic guide:

Story Dramas- This is where whole stories or parts of stories are acted out.

Role Play- This is where you share information about jobs people have, situations we may encounter, famous people or events by acting them out.

Games-These are simple activities based on some form of creative dramatics.A fun game is "Mirrors", where teams attempt to mirror the others in movement.

Pantomime Walks- This is when your students are acting out situations in their your own self-space, without touching other students.

Chain Pantomimes-This is when one person begins and the next move is passed on to next person.An example of this might be a pretend game of hot potato.

Coached Pantomime-This is when the teacher reads a story, scenario or situation aloud and the students act it out.

After you have determined which style of drama you wish to implement with your homeschoolers you can come up with creative ideas to execute them. If you are studying a certain period in history, such as colonial times, your children can act out a day in the life of the pilgrims. For science theme tie-ins you can have your homeschoolers act out the growth of a plant, or the way the earth rotates. Incorporate language arts and reading by encouraging your children to act out alternate endings to the story of the day. Perhaps your kids can act out the character in a favorite story placed in a different situation.

Finally, incorporate fun and educational hands on activities to your dramatic program, such as a puppet theater or an assortment of role playing costumes. Both Melissa and Doug and Guidecraft offer sturdy and colorful puppet theaters. Easy costume ideas for role play can include simple costumes, such as a fireman or doctor. Just be sure to sanitize any clothing and hats that children in your homeschool co-op share to prevent germs and lice from spreading. Dramatic Play Centers are wonderful creative outlets for children. There are also many children's museums around the USA and other countries as well, which offer special areas with dramatic play. Here is a list of some ideas for dramatic play themes for your homeschool classroom:

An Airport
An Aquarium
An Art gallery
An Artist's studio
A Bakery
A Barnyard
A Beach
A Beauty shop
A Barber shop
A Book Store
A Bus
A Campsite
A Candy shop
A Car wash
A Castle
A Circus
An Eskimo's Igloo
A Farm
A Firehouse
A Garage
A Garden
A Gas station
The Grocery store
A Haunted House
The Hospital
An Ice cream truck
An Ice-cream shop
The Kitchen
The Library
A Movie set
A Museum
A Newspaper headquarters
The Ocean
An Office
Outer space
A Park
A Pet store
A Pizza place
A Post office
A Recording studio
A Restaurant
A Radio station
A Safari
A Sailboat
Santa's workshop
The School
The School bus
A Shoe store
A Space station
A Submarine
Stage a Tea party
The Theater
A Time machine
A Toy store
A Travel agency
A T.V. station
The Vet's office
The Zoo

Of course toys like a kitchen set can be utilized, as well as stuffed animals, dolls, etc. Encourage your child to build some of these areas out of blocks, Legos, Knex, or other craft items. Offer enough time for your children to create and play in these areas, usually 45 minutes at least. Ask the children what they have set up, and what everyone's roles are as well. Discuss with your children how they enjoyed role playing. You can even brainstorm the topics for your dramatic play centers ahead of time to be sure your children understand what makes up a post office, submarine, etc. Enjoy the centers and join in with the children, which can help you determine how well they are set up, and how much fun they are!