Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Theatre for Elementary Teachers (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3900-01

Course: THEA 3900-01
Credits: 1.5
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 30665

Course Description

A course especially designed for background, theory, and practice in the electing, preparing and presentation of play on the elementary/secondary level. Special emphasis will be placed on integrating play, using theatre strategies across the curriculum.

Required Texts

Students will utilize theatre resources found on-line and through the library

Recommend Texts will be referenced but not required reading:

  • Spolin, Viola. Improvisation for the theatre: a handbook of teaching and directing techniques. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1963.
  • Wills, Barbara Salisbury. Theatre Arts in the Elementary Classroom: kindergarten through Grade Three. New Orleans, LA: Anchorage Press, Inc. , 1996 (ISBN: 0-87602-033-3)

Learning Outcomes

Course Objective: Prepare prospective teachers to teach theatre to children, special emphasis will be placed on integrating theatre and play, using theatre strategies across the curriculum. We will be learning how to “Play” with our students. PLAY: Performance Learning for Active Youth.

Students will:

  • Identify age-appropriate and play-accessible resources.
  • Create and adapt scripts for elementary performances.
  • Create and integrate choral readings into curriculum.
  • Identify curricular-appropriate reader's theatre scripts and select scripts for elementary classrooms.
  • Develop the ability to identify theatre exercises that are relevant and accessible for students to implement and cultivate sensory, vocal and movement skills.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to varied learning styles.
  • Develop scaffold theatre instruction, identify theatre fundamentals, demonstrate and improve teaching, and self-assess.
  • Create a curricular subject lesson plan and utilize integrated theatre exercises as the instructional delivery model.
  • Articulate the effect of theatre and culture of play on classroom environment and learning strategies.
  • Identify, describe, record and demonstrate theatre exercises that can be implemented in an elementary/secondary classroom.

Course Requirements

Students will be graded on attendance, class participation, projects, scripts, journals, and lesson plans.

Assessment / Evaluation / Grading

Student achievement of the course learning outcomes will be evaluated through a combination of practical projects, written reflections, and in-class performance assignments. Each assignment is designed to assess both the process and the product, with emphasis on creativity, application of course concepts, and professional presentation skills.

Grades will be determined by the total number of points earned throughout the semester. Letter grades will be assigned according to the percentage of total points earned. Late work may be subject to a grade reduction unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.

Assignment Descriptions
Core Curriculum Strategy Example (50 points)

Students will design a short activity or lesson plan that integrates theatre arts into a core curriculum subject (math, science, social studies, or language arts). The submission should clearly identify learning objectives, describe the activity, and explain how the arts component enhances understanding of the core subject.

Group Lesson Plan Integration (100 points)

Working in small groups, students will develop a full-length lesson plan that incorporates theatre into a core curriculum unit. Plans must include objectives, materials, step-by-step instructions, assessment strategies, and alignment with relevant standards.

Children’s Story Script (50 points)

Students will adapt a children’s book or short story into a performance-ready script. The adaptation should be engaging for a young audience, make effective use of dialogue and stage action, and be formatted for performance.

Performance of Storybook (100 points)

Students will perform their adapted children’s story script for an audience. Assessment will focus on vocal clarity, characterization, energy, audience engagement, and collaboration with scene partners.

Choral Reading (30 points)

Students will prepare and perform a choral reading that demonstrates group vocal unity, expression, and pacing.

Readers Theatre (30 points)

Students will rehearse and perform a readers theatre selection. The focus will be on expressive reading, vocal variety, and effective use of minimal staging.

Puppets (30 points)

Students will design, build, and perform a short scene using puppets. Evaluation will include craftsmanship, creativity, and the ability to bring characters to life through movement and voice.

Reflective Journal (50 points)

Students will submit a written reflection summarizing their learning throughout the course, noting personal growth, challenges overcome, and strategies they plan to use in future teaching or performance settings.

Point Breakdown
AssignmentPoints
Core Curriculum Strategy Example50
Group Lesson Plan Integration100
Children’s Story Script50
Performance of Storybook100
Choral Reading30
Readers Theatre30
Puppets30
Reflective Journal50
Total Points Possible440
Grading Scale
  • A = 94–100%
  • A- = 90–93%
  • B+ = 87–89%
  • B = 84–86%
  • B- = 80–83%
  • C+ = 77–79%
  • C = 74–76%
  • C- = 70–73%
  • D+ = 67–69%
  • D = 64–66%
  • D- = 60–63%
  • F = 59% and below

Course Outline

Instructor will present weekly course outline on the first day of class.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Professional Decorum
All acting classes will be run as a professional working situation. This means: 
•  Coming to class fully prepared as assigned
•  Showing respect for every member of the artistic ensemble.
•  A complete commitment and focus to the work each class period.
•  Saying YES to coaching and feedback!
•  No chewing gum, eating, or drinking in class (except water).
•  Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for complete freedom and range of movement.
•  When working or presenting scenes, wear appropriate rehearsal clothes and shoes for the scene.

Professional Decorum Statement 
The exercises you will be asked to complete in class may challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. This means that in class you may be exposed to new, different, and controversial ideas, language, and issues with which you may fundamentally disagree, which may even offend you in some manner. It is fine to respectfully disagree or point out how something might offend you and why. However, the recognition that controversy is at the heart of debate does not encourage or condone gender, sexist, racist, ethnic, or religious slurs, or any form of slander or hate speech. As always in our classes, these forms of speech will not be permitted. However, if you are still offended in any way by ideas and/or language that are different from your own, please contact the instructor.

Every effort will be made to ensure your physical and emotional safety, while also providing and holding a “brave space”. It is important to embrace the idea that acting is not comfortable. Much like the work one does with a trainer at a gym, you will be asked to stretch yourself. You will be asked to go beyond where you expected to go. Within boundaries you will learn to trust the difference between a trigger and something that is unfamiliar and may feel scary.

Content Statement
This course focuses on diverse storytelling while maintaining physical and emotional safety boundaries. Because all material will reflect a wide range of human perspectives, you will likely encounter characters and situations that fall outside your personal lived experiences. You are expected to approach these narratives with an open mind and to respect your peers' work. If any script or exercise challenges your personal comfort level, please speak directly with your professor immediately so we can establish appropriate boundaries or discuss arranging alternative material. 


Phones & Electronics
Phone, laptop, or tablet usage is not permitted during class. All note-taking should be done by hand and on paper or scripts. Once class begins, all electronics should be turned off or set to silent and left in bags/backpacks for the duration of class. 

Students continuously checking phones or devices during class time may be asked to leave and marked absent for the day.

Artificial Intelligence
The use of AI in this class is not permitted. If it is found that an assignment has been generated using AI, the assignment will be marked as a zero.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following
activities:
  • Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
  • Fine tuning your research questions;
  • Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Impersonating you in classroom contexts.
  • Writing a draft or final draft of any writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification. 

***Remember, unacceptable use of AI undermines your own artistic value.

Canvas 
This class will utilize Canvas. Through Canvas you will find information concerning assignments, readings, announcements, grades, etc. It is your responsibility to check Canvas frequently and it is strongly encouraged to check often as information can be added or announcements and reminders made through Canvas. This will be extremely important when you are absent so you can stay on top of your work.


Attendance Policy

Attendance
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel or religious exemption. You are allowed 1 unexcused absences for the entirety of the semester. Each absence after 1 will result in a 33.333 point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade, your final grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TDAA Student Handbook. 

3 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence, see Tardiness policy below.

Tardiness
If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Leaving class early unexcused will also count as tardy. Four instances of tardiness will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. 

Students who are habitually late to class will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Illness
In the performance industry rehearsal time is precious and cannot be replaced. The success of the production depends on the health and well being of the entire ensemble. Masking is often the best middle ground for performers who need to continue working but who also must protect their health and the health of their c0-workers. We will abide by those same standards in this class.

If you are feeling under the weather but are able to work safely, please wear a mask and join us.

If you are ill and are unable to work safely, please stay home. Contact the instructor and any scene partners beforehand and let them know so that an appropriate plan can be made to make up for the missed work.


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.