Saturday, July 9, 2011
If you're not using improv as a teaching tool, you should re-think it. It frees up students to feel comfortable in the class and allows for a greater flexibility when doing things that are normally done with students firmly planted in their seats. One example is instead of reviewing a story, chapter, etc by asking questions and waiting for hands to be raised, improv can be used to do the same thing in a more lively, fun and engaging manner. Check out this excellent improv resource at imrovencyclopedia.org and let the ideas flow. One word of caution, don't just jump into improv but use the many icebreakers, warm-ups and energizers included to get the students used to doing it before adding curricular connections. You won't be sorry.