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Becoming the Body Lesson

Becoming the Body Lesson

Collaboration is a crucial skill for students to cultivate across all academic subjects. To that end, we have written a lesson that integrates the drama skills of collaboration and transformation with the scientific skills of identifying and explaining the function of different body parts.  This lesson is well-suited for students in grades K-5.

NOTE: Becoming the Body 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.

 

Donkey Tale 2: Adding Dialogue Lesson

Donkey Tale 2: Adding Dialogue Lesson

Challenge your students to take their story dramas to the next level by adding dialogue. Building off our first Donkey Tale Lesson, this extended lesson asks students to plan and practice their own versions of the story, this time adding a moment of dialogue that reveals something about their character. This lesson is a great way for students in grades 4-6 to learn about character, emotions, and collaboration, while integrating the Language Arts concepts of dialogue, conflict and cause and effect.

Does Anybody Have a Stamp? Poem

Does Anybody Have a Stamp? Poem

Why is it that we never get fun mail anymore? In this hilarious poem, all the narrator wants is to finally receive a real letter instead of junk mail – but the mailman has other ideas. This poem provides a great opportunity for students in grades 3-6 to practice imitation, Action-Reaction, and Conflict-Resolution skills. You may choose to integrate Language Arts into your lesson by discussing story elements or adding dialogue to the poem. We have also included some step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Does Anybody Have a Stamp? Journal: Grades 3-6

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

Return to Sender! Poem

Return to Sender! Poem

Have you ever been tempted to try and mail yourself all the way to grandma’s house? In this entertaining and goofy poem, a kid does exactly that... with mixed results! This poem provides a perfect opportunity for students in grades 1-5 to practice imitation, emotions, and Action/Reaction skills. You may also choose to integrate Language Arts learning by discussing story elements or cause and effect. We have included some step-by-step instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Return to Sender! Journal: Grades 1-5

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

Life Isn’t Fair Poem

Life Isn't Fair Poem

Life isn’t fair – one the hardest lessons to learn for children and grown-ups alike! In this poem, the speaker narrates a series of minor household catastrophes that result in them receiving an unjust timeout. This piece provides a great opportunity for students in grades 2-4 to practice imitation, emotion, and Action-Reaction skills. You may also choose to integrate Language Arts by discussing cause-and-effect elements in the poem. We have included some step-by-by step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Life Isn't Fair Journal: Grades 2-4

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

Charlene Poem

Charlene Poem

This bully picked on the wrong kid! In this whimsical poem, the narrator reduces their classroom bully to a single ear. Students in grades 2-5 may use this poem to practice Action/Reaction, Problem-Solving and Transformation skills. Additionally, you may choose to integrate Character Education with a discussion of Anti-Bullying strategies. We have also included some step-by-step delivery ideas to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Charlene Journal: Grades 2-5

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

Two Character Dialogue Lesson

Two Character Dialogue Lesson

Are your students ready to create their own scenes? Building upon our One Person Monologue Lesson, this lesson guides students through collaborating with their peers to create their own original dialogues. Students can continue to work on playwriting, directing and performance skills, while learning how to give constructive feedback to their peers. 

Sixth Grade Journal: Two Character Dialogue

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment.  A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

What better way to teach action-reaction than a story packed with mischievous animal characters, including a clever coyote, a sneaky snake, and a righteous rabbit? In this lesson, students in grades 3-8 can practice collaboration, imitation, transformation, and action-reaction skills. By presenting their dramas, students can get hands-on experience with defining action-reaction and analyze its importance in creating a good story. You can also integrate Language Arts learning by having students connect action-reaction with cause and effect.

Sixth Grade Journal: Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment.  A drama journal allows participants to reflect on their learning and artistic growth (metacognition). It also allows you, the teacher, to see how students are using the drama vocabulary, thinking about big ideas, and perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.

Paper Bag Charades

Paper Bag Charades Lesson

Improv can be intimidating at first, so it’s important to give students support tools and structure as they’re learning it! In this lesson, challenge students to use three mystery props as they work together to create an exciting group drama. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to practice collaboration, utilizing support tools, and crafting a dynamic story. 

 

Park Bench

Park Bench Lesson

Middle school can be a really hard time for students to feel connected to their bodies, but embodying physical choices is a key part of being an actor! We devised this lesson to give students in grades 6-8 a fun opportunity to practice using their bodies to portray emotions, reactions and create character. Given the prompt of being strangers on a park bench, students work together to create a three-person improvised drama.