Restore Theatre Arts and Bridge the Achievement Gap: Action Research of the Effect of Theatre Arts on Reading

• In Event: Multimodal Arts Education: Virtuality, Fiction, Drama, and Utopia in Educational Research

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of theatre arts integration in urban classroom instruction on student motivation and reading skills. Theatre arts include both improvisational and process-centered drama and scripted plays. Two action researches were conducted through a cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection in one year. Students in a kindergarten, a first grade class and two second grade classes from low-achieving urban schools participated. Observational notes, field notes, focus group interviews, photographs, video records, anecdotal notes and stories were collected and analyzed. Pre-and post surveys on student motivation and various formative assessments on reading skills were conducted, calculated, and charted. Preliminary results show dramatic change in student motivation, and significant growth in reading comprehension skills.

Authors

• Xin Li, California State University - Long Beach

• Robin Creason, Long Beach Unified School District

• Caroline Ann Denton, Long Beach Unified School District

• Maradel Millhouse, Long Beach Unified School District

• Sergio Pina, Long Beach Unified School District