Drama in the Classroom
While teenage drama and crisis cause unneeded distraction and tension in the classroom, the right dramatic experiences and techniques can actually compliment the lesson and act as a viable classroom management technique.
Classroom Mobility
Other than gym class or lunch, students rarely get the opportunity to get up and move. A great strategy for engaging your students in the lesson material and enhancing their understanding of the subject is to set up 'stations' for learning. These stations can incorporate different styles and processes of learning including reading, reciting key concepts or passages, and utilizing or sharing unit material. Classroom Staging
While many teachers may think that staging should be reserved for drama class or theater productions, the truth is, creating the correct environment for learning requires the same techniques utilized by directors and producers. Re-arranging classroom desks, dimming the lights, providing appropriate classroom decor, using interesting props, etc. are all ways in which you can 'stage' a learning environment that will keep your students interested and open to learning.
Teachers As Performers
What many teachers don't realize is that their overall attitude, intonation, and presence affects their students' ability to learn. By remaining positive, enthusiastic, infusing creativity into lectures and activities, and varying your speaking voice as you present, you will command the attention of your students, even during the most boring material.