The article makes the reader familiar with the most important and most interesting theatrical and quasi-theatrical forms, methods and techniques used in contemporary Polish schools. It begins with description of the simplest ones helping to develop the so-called ‘living word culture’ (e.g. narrating aloud, reading aloud, reciting, reading with roles assigned) Further, stage adaptations and modern forms of work utilising student-activating methods such as: drama games, inscenised trial, ’theatrical-literary workshop’, and drama are described. After T. Samulczyk-Pawluk, the following contemporary theatrical forms are listed as well: self-made theatre, doll theatre, objects theatre, poetry theatre, pantomime, plastic theatre, theatre of propositions, small forms theatre. The article contains a discussion of theatrical and quasi-theatrical forms in an early school education teacher’s work. These can to a large extent catalyse a pupil’s creative expression, which in turn allows him better to understand the text being discussed in class or play his part.