Lessons

Writing Story, Transformation, Imitation: Humpty Dumpty Lesson

Writing Story, Transformation, Imitation: Humpty Dumpty Lesson

Building off the classic tale of “Humpty Dumpty,” this lesson allows students in grades K-2 to use their imaginations to put their own spin on the story. Starting out with warm-up activity to help students practice transformation and imitation skills, this lesson culminates in students working together as a class to create their own version of the “Humpty Dumpty” story. Additionally, you can integrate Language Arts learning as students practice story retelling and identifying plot sequence. We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.

Before I Couldn’t, But Now I Can – With Story Lesson

Before I Couldn’t, But Now I Can – With Story Lesson

Immerse your students in imitation with this simple but crucial lesson! “Before I Couldn’t, But Now I Can” breaks down one of the most important drama skills. Students in grades K-3 have the chance to hone their concentration and imitation skills, with the option to work individually, or with partners or small groups as they practice imitating something they could not do when they were younger but can now do with ease. There is also an opportunity to integrate Language Arts learning, by reading “Now One Foot, Now the Other.” This provides a chance for students to not only practice more imitation, but to make connections between their own lived experiences, and the experiences of the characters in the story. We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.

Baking a Cake Lesson

Baking a Cake Lesson

What’s more fun than baking a cake? You can skip the mess and use this lesson instead! By acting out the steps it takes to bake a cake, students can practice creating complex physical settings with one another. Students may practice collaboration, imitation, creating body objects and problem solving. There is an opportunity to integrate Language Arts learning by having students write a detailed account of their drama when they are finished. More advanced students may opt to write a more detailed story and practice their writing skills through including a conflict and resolution.  We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.

Animals and Their Homes Lesson

Animals and Their Homes Lesson

What are the parallels between the ways we work together in drama and how parts of a habitat work together to sustain animal life? In this lesson, students in grades 3-5 can work together to create animal statues, and eventually create full habitats with only their bodies.  Students will have the chance to practice transformation and collaboration skills, while integrating science learning by working together in pairs and small groups to create realistic animal habitats.  We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.

American Pioneers Lesson

American Pioneers Lesson

Teaching all the complexities of westward expansion to students in grades 4-6 may seem overwhelming at first. However, in this lesson, students have the chance to apply what they have learned in social studies into creating a drama that explores the economic and geographic factors that affected Americans from 1800-1861, causing many families to embark on the dangerous journey west. Students may practice concentration, collaboration, and using their voice and language to create a realistic character from the period. We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.

Thanksgiving Lesson

Thanksgiving Lesson

If you enjoyed our Halloween lesson, this is another great way to bring a seasonal theme into the classroom! Designed for students in grades 3-12, this lesson guides students through devising their own Thanksgiving-related story while working on collaboration, imitation and planning and practicing skills. You can also integrate Language Arts learning through emphasizing story sequence, narration and descriptive language as students adapt their dramas into narrative pieces.

NOTE: Thanksgiving is part of our unique library of integrated lessons.  These specialized lessons simultaneously teach concepts and skills related to drama and the other subject(s) targeted in the lesson. In addition, these lessons are designed to meet National Standards for Drama and for the integrated subject(s), so you can reach learning goals across multiple disciplines.

Blending Tableau with Social Studies: Three Scenes from History

Blending Tableau with Social Studies: Three Scenes from History

Help students deepen their analysis of a historical text by adapting it into scenes! In this lesson, students in grades 3-12 expand their understanding of levels, shapes, and illusion of action by creating tableaux based on a nonfiction or historical fiction text. Integrating both Language Arts and Social Studies, this lesson is a great way to ensure students are comprehending the main ideas from the texts they are studying.

NOTE: Blending Tableau with Social Studies is part of our unique library of integrated lessons.  These specialized lessons simultaneously teach concepts and skills related to drama and the other subject(s) targeted in the lesson. In addition, these lessons are designed to meet National Standards for Drama and for the integrated subject(s), so you can reach learning goals across multiple disciplines.

 

Halloween Lesson

Halloween Lesson

It’s always fun to bring a seasonal theme into the classroom – especially one as playful and imaginative as Halloween! Designed for students in grades 3-12, this lesson guides students through devise their own Halloween themed story while working on collaboration, imitation and planning and practicing skills. You can also integrate Language Arts learning through emphasizing story sequence, narration and descriptive language as students adapt their dramas into narrative pieces.

NOTE: Halloween is part of our unique library of integrated lessons.  These specialized lessons simultaneously teach concepts and skills related to drama and the other subject(s) targeted in the lesson. In addition, these lessons are designed to meet National Standards for Drama and for the integrated subject(s), so you can reach learning goals across multiple disciplines.

Revolutionary War: The Printing Press

Revolutionary War: The Printing Press

Connecting historical events to movement and narrative can be a great way to help students in grades 5-7 memorize dates and facts.  In this lesson, students read a story about a parent and child who are on different sides of the American Revolution. While using collaboration, imitation, and character transformation to act out the story, students can also learn about the factors that shaped the Revolutionary War and the different perspectives of Loyalists and Patriots. 

NOTE: Revolutionary War: The Printing Press is part of our unique library of integrated lessons. 
These specialized lessons simultaneously teach concepts and skills related to drama and the other subject(s) targeted in the lesson. In addition, these lessons are designed to meet National Standards for Drama and for the integrated subject(s), so you can reach learning goals across multiple disciplines.

Revolutionary War: The Printing Press Rubric

Connecting Drama and Science – Body Objects: With Setting, Environments and Details

Connecting Drama and Science - Body Objects: With Setting, Environments, and Details

Discover the striking parallels between establishing setting in drama and studying environments from a scientific standpoint. This lesson, designed for grades 3-8, goes in-depth on both topics, challenging students to be detail-oriented and collaborative in their thinking. Students can hone their transformation and body object skills, while integrating science and language arts by identifying the details of different environments and describing them.  

NOTE: Connecting Drama and Science - Body Objects is part of our unique library of integrated lessons. These specialized lessons simultaneously teach concepts and skills related to drama and the other subject(s) targeted in the lesson. In addition, these lessons are designed to meet National Standards for Drama and for the integrated subject(s), so you can reach learning goals across multiple disciplines.