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Building Vocabulary Through Drama: Vocabulary Statues Lesson

Building Vocabulary Through Drama: Vocabulary Statues Lesson

Memorizing vocabulary words can be one of the most tedious tasks for students to do – so how could it possibly lend itself to drama? Using the drama concepts of tableaux, collaboration and planning, this exciting lesson for grades K-12 will break up the tedium of vocabulary learning by challenging students to research their own words, then share vocabulary inspired images with their classmates. This lesson integrates drama with Language Arts by teaching figurative language, dictionary skills, and tableaux in tandem.

NOTE: Building Vocabulary Through Drama: Vocabulary Statues 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.

Personification and Characters Lesson

Personification and Characters Lesson

How do actors bring object characters to life? Designed for students in fourth grade, this lesson helps students move from body object imitation into acting out full dramas with object characters. This challenging lesson helps students practice concentration, transformation and full use of their body and voice. It also provides a great opportunity to integrate Language Arts by identifying and discussing personification in a written text. 

Donkey Tale 1: Movement & Imitative Action Lesson

Donkey Tale 1: Movement & Imitative Action lesson

There’s no better way to get students moving and imitating than with stories, particularly stories about animals. This lively tale about a thirsty traveler and a stubborn donkey provides a great opportunity for students to practice collaboration and negotiation skills through partner work. Designed for grades 4-5, this lesson challenges students to apply their imitation and transformation skills to embodying a specific character through movement.

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.

Perhaps Today Poem

Perhaps Today Poem

Pirates or pilots? Pancakes or plunder? This adventurous poem tells the story of a restless and imaginative child deciding how to spend a completely free day. This piece is a perfect way for students in grades 2-6 to practice imitation, setting, body objects, and playwriting skills. You may also choose to integrate Language Arts by discussing creative writing skills and the creation of setting. We have included some recommended step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Perhaps Today Journal: Grades 2-6

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.

Mom Poem

Mom Poem 

Crumbs on the chair, mud on the stairs, leaves in your hair... There’s no better way to drive your Mom up the wall! This whimsical poem tells the story of a kid who is grounded for making a huge mess. Filled with fun opportunities for imitation, this poem is the perfect way for students in grades 1-4 to practice emotions, body objects and collaboration skills. You can also choose to integrate Character Education by discussing responsibility, or Language Arts by focusing on the conflict/resolution in the poem. We have included some step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Mom Poem Journal: Grades 1-4

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.

Miss Marilou Poem

Miss Marilou Poem

Miss Marilou is a real menace at the zoo! This clever poem tells the story of a nefarious young women who plays pranks on all the animals at the zoo. With lots of colorful animal characters, this poem provides great opportunities for students in grades 1-5 to practice animal transformation, imitation and collaboration skills. We have also included some step-by step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Miss Marilou 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.

Maximillian in Trouble Poem 

Maximillian in Trouble Poem 

Sometimes the most loveable children get in the most trouble... especially the ones with four legs and a tail! Students in grades 2-5 will have a blast imitating this mischievous dog, who wreaks havoc when his mom leaves him alone in the house. This poem provides a great opportunity for students to practice imitation, transformation, and body object skills. We have also included some step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Maximillian in Trouble 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.

How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back

How the World Was Formed on Turtle's Back Lesson

“How the Earth Was Formed on Turtle’s Back,” is an Onondaga creation story that features a team of vibrant animal characters, who work together to save a young woman’s life and create the world as we know it. This lesson provides numerous opportunities for students to use their bodies and voices to create characters and practice transformation. You may also integrate Language Arts by discussing the importance of personification and character traits in the story.

How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back Lesson

How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back Lesson

“How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back” is an Onondaga creation story that features a team of vibrant animal characters who work together to save a young woman’s life and create the world as we know it. This lesson provides numerous opportunities for students to use their bodies and voices to create characters and practice transformation. You may also integrate Language Arts by discussing the importance of personification and character traits in the story.