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Connecting Drama and Science – Body Objects: With Setting, Environments and Details

Connecting Drama and Science - Body Objects: With Setting, Environments, and Details

Discover the striking parallels between establishing setting in drama and studying environments from a scientific standpoint. This lesson, designed for grades 3-8, goes in-depth on both topics, challenging students to be detail-oriented and collaborative in their thinking. Students can hone their transformation and body object skills, while integrating science and language arts by identifying the details of different environments and describing them.  

NOTE: Connecting Drama and Science - Body Objects 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.

“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.

Habitats, Needs of Living Things, and Body Details Lesson

Habitats, Needs of Living Things, and Body Details Lesson

How can we keep students fully engaged through complex subject matter? Ask them to engage their bodies as well as their minds! This exciting lesson integrates Drama with Language Arts and Science by asking students to create habitats and settings using only their bodies. It also includes a full story about a mischievous young bear to give students an opportunity to act it out and apply their knowledge. Ideal for grades 1-3, this lesson helps students work on concentration, transformation, and collaboration skills in drama.

NOTE: Habitats, Needs of Living Things, and Body Details 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.

Explorers, Risk Taking, and Tableau Lesson

Explorers, Risk Taking, and Tableau Lesson

What do explorers and theatre artists have in common? A willingness to take risks and work as a team! In this lesson for grades 4-8, students will work in groups, applying what they know about explorers to create dynamic tableaus and still picture stories. This lesson is a fantastic way to integrate social studies learning with drama, by asking students to think more deeply about the lives of explorers and the importance of risk taking in their work.

NOTE: Explorers, Risk Taking, and Tableau 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.

Civil War Drama Lesson

Civil War Drama Lesson

Drama is a great way to engage students with historical events by encouraging them to think deeply about point of view. In this lesson, designed for grades 4-8, students will practice concentration, collaboration, and transformation while using Body Objects to communicate different settings. This lesson encourages students to think about point of view and sectionalism, deepening their understanding of the events and forces that led to the Civil War.

NOTE: Civil War Drama 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 Actor’s Nightmare! Poem

The Actor’s Nightmare! Poem

We’ve all woken up from this kind of dream... you’re on stage, you’re in costume, the lights go up, and everything goes wrong! This exciting and mildly terrifying poem details a school play gone wrong. Humorous and filled with vivid characters, this poem provides a great opportunity for students in grades 4-6 to practice collaboration, imitation, and characterization skills. We have also included some recommended step-by-step delivery ideas to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

The Actor’s Nightmare! Journal: Grades 4-6

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.

Summer Poem

Summer Poem 

Who doesn’t love summer? This short and sweet poem provides a great opportunity for students in grades K-3 to practice imitation and collaboration skills. Students can work in pairs or small groups to imitate all the different summer activities mentioned. You may choose to integrate Language Arts by discussing how the author creates setting in this poem. We have included some step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Summer Journal: Grades K-3

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.