Books by Justine Jones

Middle school students are highly creative, imaginative, and uninhibited with their ideas. And they love puzzles! That's why they are intrigued by murder mysteries. This book invites the interaction of the whole class in the process of creating mystery plays. It includes everything you need to teach basic dramatic skills by creating and staging an interactive murder mystery play. It's a six-week long, step-by-step program. In weeks one and two students brainstorm ideas; refine the theme; and create the characters, plots, means, motives, scenes, and more. Weeks three and four include games to strengthen writing and acting skills, to develop the plot and characters, and for students to think on their feet. The final two weeks focus on rehearsal and performance. Like the author's previous book Drama Games and Improvs, this guide helps teach drama skills holistically. Students are unaware they are learning new skills with every game and activity.

A curriculum guide using improv games to teach basic drama skills. If used with ''Improv Ideas'' by the same authors, there are enough games and ideas to provide for over a year''s work. Select from over 134 games. It''s adaptable to all age groups -- from beginners to experts. The lessons are structured sequentially with emphasis on group building. It is deigned to teach holistically. Students are unaware they are being taught many new skills with every lesson. This curriculum is the culmination of many years of evolution and testing.