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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

Henry’s Magic Hat – FREE Version

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 boy and his mysterious magic hat. This story is a wonderful way to teach students in grades K-2 about important story elements such as character, conflict and transformation. Students will also get a chance to hone their imagination, concentration and careful listening skills. 

Crossing the Road

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, and theme.) This lesson uses the original story The Ghost Who Couldn’t Scare by Karen Erickson - download it to complete the materials.  This lesson is part of our recommended sequence in the Sixth Grade Curriculum.

“What do Words Mean?” with Story & Dialogue Lesson

"What do Words Mean?" with Story & Dialogue Lesson

How can we take students from learning a list of new words to feeling true mastery over a new vocabulary?  This lesson helps students deepen their understanding of new words by challenging them to create a story inspired by an assigned word. Perfect for helping students practice collaboration, negotiation and planning, this lesson provides a great opportunity to integrate Language Arts by discussing the use of story elements and dialogue in creating a drama.

NOTE: "What Do Words Mean?" with Story & Dialogue  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.


The Nutcracker 3: Original Pantomime to Nutcracker Music Lesson

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 physical storytelling, collaboration and imagination, this lesson also introduces the concept of a support tool in drama. You can use this as a jumping off point to discuss how students might use music to enhance their dramas going forward.

The Nutcracker 2: Mouse and Toy Soldier Fight Lesson

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 to teach students about physical safety in drama, by emphasizing the need for great concentration when acting out a fight scene.

The Nutcracker 1: Brother and Sister Quarrel Lesson

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 is a great way for students in grades 3-6 to practice imagination, collaboration, and tableau skills. Building off the example given in The Nutcracker, you can also use this lesson to introduce the concept of Conflict/Resolution.

Revolutionary War Through Drama: Life in the Colonies Lesson

Revolutionary War Through Drama: Life in the Colonies Lesson

Immerse your students in colonial life by having them create dramas about day to day living in the pre-Revolutionary War colonies. This lesson is an excellent way to integrate Social Studies learning with drama by discussing the impacts of British control on daily life in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. Designed for grades 4-8, this lesson also helps students hone their concentration, collaboration, and imitation skills by challenging them to create a silent mini drama.

NOTE: Revolutionary War Through Drama: Life in the Colonies  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: Tax Freeze Lesson

Revolutionary War: Tax Freeze Lesson

Help students understand the unfairness of taxation without representation by placing them inside an activity that simulates it! Ideal for grades 4-8, this lesson asks students to consider how unfair treatment makes them feel, then challenges them to identify unfairness in a historical context. This lesson helps students continue to build their concentration, imagination and listening skills, while integrating Social Studies learning.

NOTE: Revolutionary War: Tax Freeze 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.