ABSTRACT
This chapter examines small group work and looks in detail at four particular strategies: forum theatre, till images, games and exercises teaching in role. One way of allocating groups quickly and randomly, ensuring a good mix, is to ask the children to sit in a circle, allowing them to sit where they want, and then counting round the circle, giving each child a number - one to eight, then starting again. The teacher can enter the small group improvisation in role, using the role to focus and challenge the work. Find an overall fictional context for the creation of the small group 'plays', so that the audience are encouraged to comment on the content, rather than the lack of specific theatre skills. Many teachers begin their drama lessons with a game and then an exercise, arguing that this warms the children up, shifts them from thinking in set ways, and encourages them to collaborate, to concentrate, and to trust each other.
