Meaning Matters

Written by Kim Turgeon

The play that has the most profound effect on language and literacy development is dramatic play. Not only does the meaningful context of dramatic play allow for children to practice new vocabulary associated with these themes, but it also provides a setting for purposeful writing and reading. When children are given the structure within which to act, it is amazing to see their perspectives on “real life” writing and reading. As children act out new themes there are many reasons for them to use reading and writing (for example, a florist needs to write down orders and a doctor needs to write prescriptions).

Every year the dramatic play area in my classroom takes on a new life. I try to balance the number of themes that naturally fit in with our curriculum and themes that children in the current class have an interest in. This year we have already had three themes that have stood out as providing a stage for children to act out scenarios where people use reading and writing:

• Flower Shop
  

• Haunted House
  

• MagicTree house
  

One aspect that is so very fascinating to me is that even a child who is the most resistant to reading and writing will persevere when they are in the middle of playing and “need” to do a job. For example, a child who is working in the flower shop and receives a phone call for an order will find a way to make meaning out of letters and record the order on paper. The motivation that comes from play is powerful.

Setting The Stage

The materials that need to be included in the dramatic play center vary with each theme, however, some common materials that I include within each theme are:

• Name tags with the roles (florist, cashier, deliverer, customer). These help to ensure a balance of characters and thus make the play richer. If you have 5 florists there is no one to place an order.

• Inviting and appropriate note paper (a doctors office has medical charts, a flower shop has order forms and cards to accompany the order being sent).

• Pencil and markers.

• Appropraite uniforms or attire (florists needs aprons, doctors need scrubs).
  

The Sales Pitch

I have found that the way in which a center is introduced to the children can make or break it, especially if it is a teacher generated idea and not a student's. Here are some ways that I try to get students invested in the center

• I always have the class create a large painted sign for the center and other small signs introducing the center. This seems to start the excitement. 

• I set some structure to the area before I recruit their help. I find that if I have not started the set up it is too overwhelming for them to have a vision of what it can be. Then I have them help add props. Asking parents to send in props from home is very exciting and helps students feel some ownership.
  

• Clearly label and organize the materials in the center, so that students are able to clean up and play out their roles independently.
  

Snapshots Into The World of Dramatic Play

The Flower shop

This theme is always one of great excitement because students are allowed to make “out of town” deliveries to other people in our school community. In order to make a delivery they have to have a message written telling who the flowers are being delivered to and who they are from. Students must also prepare a speech telling who they are and why they are delivering flowers (Hi, I am Lauren from the Busy Bee Flower Shop and I have a delivery for Mr. Springer. Joshua hopes you feel better)

Some writing and reading opportunities that this center offers:

Signs telling when the store is open

Orders for flowers

Students wrote messages to accompany deliveries

Students wrote phone messages for the florist

In order to create the flower arrangement students read orders

The Haunted House

Children love the idea of using their own writing to have an impact on other people.In the haunted house students enjoyed making spooky signs to scare people and signs warning people in other classrooms.

Some Writing opportunities that this center offers:

Signs warning people of a haunted house

Gravestones

Signs labeling various rooms in the haunted house

The Magic Treehouse

Connecting beloved literature with dramatic play automatically gives students stories to play out. The students in my class initiated this theme and many children were familiar with the books wriiten by Mary Pope Osborn.

Some writing and reading opportunities that this center offers:

Students wrote their own stories to be acted out in the tree house

Students kept journals as they played, since the main character Jack does this in the books

Students read parts of the books as  reference for their play

There are many rich dramatic play themes, the possibilities are endless. Three questions for you:

1. How do you decide what themes will be incorporated into your dramatic play area?
2. What dramatic play themes have you found offer your students the richest literacy experiences?
3. In a time of high stakes testing and standards are you still committed to providing dramatic play opportunities to your students?