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“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.


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.

The Box Poem

The Box Poem

Grasshoppers, beetles, and black slugs, oh my! This playful poem tells the story of a child who fills their favorite box with everything from bugs to buttons. Students in grades 2-5 can use this poem to practice imitation, emotions, and body object skills. You may also choose to integrate Language Arts learning by identifying conflict and adding dialogue for older students. We have included some recommended step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

The Box 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.

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.

Tales Retold

Tales Retold Story 

Is the Wicked Witch really so wicked? What did the Big Bad Wolf do that was so bad? Is Prince Charming’s life not quite as charmed as we thought? Students in grades 3-8 will love this hilarious retelling of classic fairy tales. With plenty of active roles available, this piece is a great way to integrate drama and language arts by giving students a chance to practice transformation, characterization and storytelling skills.

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.

Reader’s Theater

Reader's Theater Lesson

Whether or not you are new to Reader’s Theater, this lesson will provide you with innovative ways to bring it into your classroom.  Providing a bridge from drama to theatre as well as an excellent opportunity for vocal work, Reader’s Theater is a versatile learning tool and tons of fun for all! Adaptable for all age groups, you can even extend this lesson to introduce public speaking to older students. There is also a rubric available which can be used to teach up to 7 different skills of your choosing. Inflection, tone, pitch, rate, and projection are all skills introduced through this lesson.

Reader's Theater Rubric 

Sixth Grade Journal: Reader's Theater

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.

Hat or No Hat Poem

Hat or No Hat Poem

To Hat or Not to Hat? That is the question… This poem deals with the age-old conflict between parents and children over whether to wear a hat in cold weather. Students in grades K-1 can practice imitation skills with this piece, while students in grades 2-4 may work on integrating dialogue. In addition, this poem can be used to address health topics, such as how the immune system works. We have also included some recommended step-by-step delivery ideas to help you turn the poem into a full lesson.

Hat or No Hat Journal: Grades K-1

Hat or No Hat Journal: Grades 2-4

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. For each poem, we have created a corresponding journal page for your students. 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. 

Careful Spider Poem

Careful Spider Poem

What happens to a careful spider when they confront a big bird? Nothing good! Students in grades 1-3 can practice animal characters, imitative action, and dialogue skills in this exciting poem. This piece includes opportunities for integrating Language Arts through discussing story elements and drawing inferences. We have also included some recommended step-by-step delivery ideas to help you turn the poem into a full lesson.

Careful Spider Journal: Grades 1-2

Careful Spider Journal: Grade 3

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. For each poem, we have created a corresponding journal page for your students. 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.