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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.


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.

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.

Pirate Poem

Pirate Poem

Have you ever wanted to go on a swashbuckling adventure... right in the middle of the school day? This adventurous poem provides great opportunities for students in grades 2-5 to practice imitation, emotions, and transformation skills. As the instructor, you may also choose to integrate Character Education skills by discussing the role of personal responsibility in the poem. We have included some step-by-step delivery instructions to help you turn this poem into a full lesson.

Pirate 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. 

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.