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Drama & Public Speaking Program Overview: Preschool to Grade 8

At Clairbourn, students develop confidence, communication, and creativity through a Drama and Public Speaking program that begins in Preschool and continues through grade 8. Public speaking instruction is intentionally woven throughout the elementary grades and reinforced in Middle School specialist classes.

Beginning in 1st grade, students have frequent opportunities to speak before authentic audiences. They deliver Morning Assembly announcements, present projects to the school community, give classroom presentations, and participate in activities such as Reader's Theater and classroom plays. By blending creative expression with the academic curriculum, students grow from imaginative storytellers into confident, capable presenters.

Early Childhood & Lower Elementary (Preschool – Grade 1)

Building Imagination, Confidence, and Communication

In the early years, drama serves as a foundation for learning, creativity, and self-expression. Through structured imaginative play, storytelling, movement, and role-playing, students explore emotions, develop spatial awareness, strengthen collaboration skills, and learn to communicate ideas using both their voices and bodies. Fairy tales, fables, and creative adventures encourage curiosity for our students while allowing them to build the confidence to express themselves.

Early Elementary (Grades 2-5)

Introduction to the Stage (Grade 2)

Second grade marks an exciting transition from informal storytelling to structured performance. Students rehearse and perform their first official plays while learning foundational theater skills, including stage vocabulary, blocking, character development, and line memorization. Their work culminates in a performance that celebrates their growth as performers and communicators.

Bringing History to Life Through Drama (Grades 3-5)

In the upper elementary grades, drama is integrated into the social studies curriculum, allowing students to experience history through performance and role-play.

List of 3 items.

  • Grade 3 – The Pioneer Unit

    Students step into the shoes of early American settlers. By acting out the Pioneer experience, students gain empathy for the challenges and triumphs of westward expansion, bringing history off the page through role-play.

  • Grade 4 – The California Missions

    Students explore the narratives of the Mission era. Through dramatic scene work and character perspectives, students examine history from multiple viewpoints to deepen their understanding, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

  • Grade 5 – The American Revolution

    History comes alive as students reenact the pivotal debates, figures, and events of the American Revolution. Acting out these foundational moments helps students internalize the concepts of democracy, liberty, and conflict resolution.

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Drama Classes & Student Productions

Middle School students participate in specialist-led drama classes that rotate by trimester. Through theater games, improvisation, character development, script reading, and performance, students continue to build confidence, collaboration, and communication skills. They rehearse and perform age-appropriate scenes, one-act plays, and theatrical productions while learning the responsibilities and rewards of working as an ensemble.

Students also gain experience behind the scenes by contributing to props, costumes, scenery, and other production elements, developing an appreciation for every aspect of theater.

Students interested in pursuing theater more deeply may participate in CAST (Clairbourn After-School Theater). Participation in the annual Middle School production is by audition, with a variety of roles available both onstage and behind the scenes. Students can explore acting, stage management, set and costume design, lighting, makeup, and other technical theater opportunities.
Throughout the program, the stage becomes a place where students discover their voices, develop empathy, take creative risks, and build lasting confidence. Every performance and presentation prepares students to communicate with authenticity and clarity both in school and beyond.
Clairbourn's Visual Arts Program empowers students to become creative thinkers, skilled problem-solvers, and lifelong appreciators of the arts.
8400 Huntington Drive | San Gabriel, CA 91775 626.286.3108 | info@clairbourn.org
 
Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School & Middle School. Serving Families in the Pasadena Area and San Gabriel Valley. Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization (K-12 Private Schools) and accredited by CAIS and WASC. Child Care Facility license # 191500903.