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Tulika
was pleased – and fortunate – to have Maya Rao launch its book, The World of Indian
Stories: a teaching resource of folktales from every state
by Cathy Spagnoli. Pleased, because not only is Maya
synonymous with innovation, she also has extensive experience in working
with children in and out of the classroom, which makes her perfect as a
metaphor for the book; and fortunate, for she is not often seen in Chennai.
The event took place at Goodbooks
Bookstore, Chennai, preceding a workshop organised by the Goodbooks
Teachers Centre. |
Maya
Krishna Rao is well-known for her creative work in
Theatre-In-Education (TIE).
She presented a film on a unique hands-on
workshop to bring theatre to the
classroom done with schools in Delhi. It was put together along with Biddy Coghill
and focused on
techniques of theatre and participatory teaching that can
be used in the classroom to enliven the study of subjects
– making it relevant, enjoyable and also a platform for children to articulate problems and
issues.
Some
interesting observations by Maya Rao:
~ Where do we
learn life’s lessons from? From life, maybe something
from a parent or teacher. But certainly not from
textbooks! Theatre
is closest to real life – a flesh and blood depiction of
life, as real as that. So why not use it in
classrooms?
~
Movement comes naturally to children; so too the arts. They
don’t need to be actors
or playwrights, just sensitive. And unlike adults,
neither do they need an audience.
~
The word ‘theatre’ originated from describing a hunt –
when enacting what happened.
~
A teacher too
needs to be a ‘learner’, like the children – needs
to be curious. Learning and teaching is an ongoing organic
process.
~
Be just the catalyst for children for their own
discoveries. Take them only on the journey, don't give
them the destination.
~
The earlier they start the better they perform because
they learn to bring all faculties together.
TIE provides a ground for all subjects – connecting one
with the other.
~ TIE
is about adults creating a programme and taking it to the
classroom to open out experiences. Drama in education is
teachers who use drama as tool in the classroom – not to
make actors out of the children.
~
For enactment, a story can come from anywhere. Give
the children a situation, a dilemma or crisis, give the
choices and then leave it open. Once the emotional
reservoir is stirred, mental, physical, cognitive, all
faculties are activated.
more
. . .
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