Blackout: Creating Atmosphere Lesson Centered around the Caldecott Honor Book “Blackout” by John Rocco, this lesson provides rich opportunities for actors to practice using their voices and bodies to create atmosphere. Students in grades 4-6 may work together in pairs or small groups, practicing negotiation and collaboration skills as they imitate the activities of the … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
Henry’s Magic Hat What are the essential building blocks of every story? In this lesson, you will have the chance to lead students through a simple yet engaging tale about a child and his mysterious magic hat. This story is a wonderful way to teach students in grades K-2 about important story elements such as … Read more
Crossing the Road This lesson for 6th grade students uses drama to demonstrate the different types of conflict. You can download our poster with the 5 different types of conflict to post in your classroom. This also focuses on contrasting story elements (who, what, why, when, where, and conflict/resolution) to literary elements (plot, character, setting, problem, … Read more
The Nutcracker 3: Original Pantomime to Nutcracker Music Lesson How can we use music to inspire our storytelling? In this lesson, students in grades 3-6 will listen to a selection from The Nutcracker, and work in groups to come up with their own original dramas inspired by the music. Perfect for enhancing students’ use of … Read more
The Nutcracker 2: Mouse and Toy Soldier Fight Lesson Capture students’ imaginations with this climactic battle scene! Designed for grades 3-6, this lesson provides an engaging way for students to learn about physical choices, collaboration, and conflict through creating a pantomime of the battle from The Nutcracker. You can also use this as an opportunity … Read more
The Nutcracker 1: Brother and Sister Quarrel Lesson Any student with siblings will have plenty of experience to draw on for this lesson! Based on the imaginative story of the Nutcracker, this lesson asks students to work in partners, creating a silent drama about a sibling quarrel. Emphasizing the drama tool of the body, this … Read more