Some educators see drama as a waste of time since students often do not take anything away from the experience except remembering that they had a good time.  When used correctly however drama in the classroom has many beneficial side effects.  It develops and improves reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.  Students have to learn to scan texts for details that will lead to a greater understanding of the character or situation that they are reading about. Drama aids students in the ability to think both decisively and analytically about subjects.  They learn to read texts through not only their own, but from another’s perspective. Drama strengthens student’s abilities to follow directions, think individually, and learns about the strengths in groups.  Acting is seldom done alone, and often requires a small group to do.  When students are in groups they learn to not only to follow, but to lead.  Students do this by pulling together everyone’s thoughts and ideas to take full advantage of their numbers.  Drama gives students the chance to learn about other religions, cultures, and societies.  When students decide to act out somebody, they are becoming somebody else.  This person may be a different gender, religion, race, or have a different socioeconomic standing than the student.  The student by becoming someone other than themselves has a chance to have a different perspective on the world. Finally it helps students to develop creativity skills.  By doing this, students help to enrich their own lives as well as everyone around them.