Using Drama to Support Literacy: Activities for Children Aged 7 to 14

In this review of Using Drama to Support Literacy, the bottom line is simple: this book is a practical, classroom-ready resource for teachers who want to use drama to improve pupils' writing, speaking and listening. It is written for primary and lower-secondary educators and takes a step-by-step approach that will help even those with limited drama experience run confident sessions. The book's greatest strength is how it links imaginative drama activities directly to literacy outcomes, making it more than a theory text - it is a hands-on toolkit for everyday lessons.

Key Features

• Step-by-step activities: Each exercise is broken down so a teacher or teaching assistant can lead it without prior drama training, reducing preparation time and anxiety.
• Writing links: The book includes clear ideas for suitable writing activities that follow drama work and help pupils transfer spoken ideas into written form.
• Lesson planning advice: Practical guidance on planning means activities can be adapted to different group sizes and lesson lengths while staying focused on literacy goals.
• Examples of pupil work: Sample childrens work and teachers comments illustrate expected outcomes and provide models for assessment and feedback.
• Resource list: A curated list of useful resources points teachers to further materials and supports sustainable classroom use.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at class teachers, teaching assistants, literacy consultants and drama or English coordinators working with children aged 7 to 14 who want practical drama-based activities to support literacy teaching. It suits educators who need structured, classroom-tested activities rather than academic theory.

Those who rely on specialist drama training for complex productions or who need age ranges outside 7 to 14 may want a different, more specialised resource. Likewise, administrators looking for curriculum policy documents should look elsewhere; this book focuses on classroom practice and activity design.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Practical, classroom-tested activities make it easy to introduce drama into literacy lessons.
• Clear links between drama tasks and writing, speaking and listening outcomes help measure impact.
• Step-by-step structure supports teachers who are less confident with drama techniques.
• Examples of childrens work and teacher commentary help with assessment and adapting activities.

Cons

• Not a comprehensive theory book, so readers seeking deep drama pedagogy may find it light on background research.

Specifications

Title	Using Drama to Support Literacy: Activities for Children Aged 7 to 14
Author/Brand	John Goodwin
Target age	Children aged 7 to 14
Intended users	Class teachers, teaching assistants, literacy consultants, coordinators
Content focus	Drama activities to support writing, speaking and listening
Includes	Lesson planning advice, resource list, childrens work examples

Our Verdict

Using Drama to Support Literacy is a useful, good-value practical guide for classroom practitioners who want straightforward, tested activities that link drama to literacy outcomes. It is especially valuable for non-specialist teachers who need reliable lesson plans and examples to make drama an effective part of literacy work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a teacher with no drama experience use this book?
Yes. The step-by-step format and practical advice are written to help teachers and teaching assistants lead activities confidently.

Does it include ways to assess pupil progress?
The book offers examples of childrens work and teachers comments that can be used as models for assessment and feedback.

Is this suitable for older pupils?
It is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds, so some activities may need adapting for older secondary students or very young children.