About Karen Erickson

For my next article in the continuing conversation on Classroom Management in Drama, I will address respectful feedback. Learn how to guide students to provide respectful feedback in the classroom.  Reflection is important in drama. In order to build a kind and caring classroom, think about structuring reflection time as you would structure any other … Read more

My latest post contains ideas toward building character and working towards the anti-bullying classroom using drama.  Drama deals with human conflict and resolution along with understanding emotions and empathy on events. I also include a chart that illustrates how drama works with character education and with lessons you will find online to support the focus … Read more

In my latest classroom management article, I lay out my strategy to keep student engagement during improv scenes where most of the class is an audience.  My 7 steps keeps the observing students engaged, analyzing, and considering how they will alter their own work.  It affects 4th grade through high school practitioners.  Read now on … Read more

In my latest article on OneStopDRAMAShop.com, I address a sometimes forgotten role in a bullying situation: the bystander.  Drama provides the perfect “practice” opportunity through dialogue and decision making.  Drama also gives students a chance to discuss the bystander role in a group/ensemble situation where they learn what others think and how they might support … Read more

Improvisation means to act without a predetermined text.  An improvisational approach is the opposite of working with a written script where lines have been set and actors memorize the dialogue as written.  Many of us engage students in improvisation without considering the many variations of improvisational drama work available to us, or how tailoring the type … Read more

Many educators encounter the “I’m Done” student in teaching situations. When students are new to drama or a new skill is being introduced, there will inevitably be the “I’m done” student (or “we’re done” group) reaction. This is totally understandable if the skill being covered is very basic or if students don’t have enough background … Read more

Closure is an important component of any lesson. What you don’t want to do is end the class on a high energy activity with a great deal of full class physical movement.  Karen digs into her experience to provide guidance for ways to provide effective closure to a class. She recommends establishing a routine to … Read more

My latest post answers a question posed by teachers and it affects everyone in drama teaching practice: “How do I make sure, in group work, that one child is not doing the bulk of the work in creation?” I use a variety of techniques that guide the process for inclusivity.  I’ve posted these in my … Read more

My favorite formative assessment strategy that challenges students to self-assess, gets participants moving in many directions, and sparks discussion is called the “Rubric on the Wall Assessment.” I developed the assessment in the late 1980s and it continues to work for me today.  I have seen it have great impact on student achievement.  It is my … Read more

I picked up many storytelling tips over the years working both as a classroom teacher and working with children in drama education.  I’m sharing them with you because I think stories are one of the best ways to reach people.   You’ll find tips for selecting, practicing, adapting and telling a story in a classroom.  There … Read more