Croydon Park Public School and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) have joined to develop and implement kids speak, an inspirational, integrated drama based program aimed at developing students' literacy skills and engagement in learning.
Kids speak is a 10 week program designed to improve students' competency in their speaking, writing and expressive skills while at the same time develop within themselves a stronger sense of self-worth and wellbeing. Throughout the program there is a focus on team work, collaboration, problem solving and mentoring. Students attend workshops twice a week.
At the end of the program students use the skills they have developed to create a production to be performed for their peers, parents and staff of the school. The performance takes place in the second last week of the program.Students spend the last week reflecting and evaluating their own learning.
Five two hour review meetings between the NIDA tutor and teaching staff is incorporated into the program to allow for collaborative planning, progress reviews, reflection and decision making. Review meetings occur fortnightly.
The kids speak program has enormous potential for students to become more confident communicators resulting in increased cultural and social capital and improved engagement in literacy activities. Kid speak has provided students with an experience that they may otherwise never experience or forget. In 2015 our Year 5 and 6 students participated in kids speak.
