Dramatic Science ― Using Drama to Inspire Science Teaching for Ages 5 to 8

Dramatic Science is an invaluable tool for any Key stage 1 teachers and primary science leaders. It will also be of use for elementary teachers (overseas) who have classes of 5 – 8 year olds. It provides the busy professional with a range of tried and tested techniques to use drama as a support and aid to the teaching of science to young children.

The techniques within this book offer innovative and creative strategies for teaching a challenging area of the curriculum and broadening teachers’ own scientific knowledge and understanding.

All the activities in this book have been proven to work in a number of primary schools, offering an inclusive way to teach science and the authors provide a pedagogical commentary on the ways that teachers have tried the techniques and how they have worked best. Reflective discussion on the activities will include reflections on how children have responded to these activities and how that has impacted on their learning.

This invaluable resource:-

• Develops critical and creative thinking
• Scaffolds creative learning
• Broadens teachers’ scientific knowledge and understanding
• Provides guidance on active and participatory learning
• Can engage children and teachers at a variety of levels
• Links science to real life
• Enhances children’s application of science to different situations
• Develops problem solving skills
• Enhances and extends speaking and listening skills

Any teachers wishing to hone their practice to motivate children and improve their science learning and attainment will find this an invaluable resource. It will also be useful for advanced skills teachers who are involved in supporting their peers and other professionals to improve the quality of learning in science and other subjects, trainee teachers and NQTs interested in developing creative learning in their classrooms.

Professor Deb McGregor works in the School of Education at Oxford Brookes University. She has worked within primary, secondary and tertiary education, in both the USA and the UK. She has been involved in producing innovative curriculum materials as well as researching and writing about teaching and learning processes.

Dr Wendy Precious works across the West Midlands as a Primary Science Education Consultant for Entrust (formerly Staffordshire LA). She is also a tutor for the Science Learning Centre, and a Hub Leader and Assessor for the Primary Quality Mark. She has developed effective and creative teaching resources, and coaches and mentors education professionals to reflect on and improve science learning within the classroom, whole school and local community.