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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 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.

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.

One Person Monologue Lesson

One Person Monologue Lesson

Give students the opportunity to write, act and direct, all in one lesson! Ideal for sixth through eighth graders with prior drama experience, this lesson guides students through creating, directing, and performing an original monologue in groups of three. Students can hone their collaboration skills, drama tools and practice giving constructive feedback to their peers.

Sixth Grade Journal: One Person Monologue 

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.

Transforming Three Objects – Into Story (Lesson)

Transforming Three Objects - Into Story (Lesson)

Transformation is one of the key building blocks of storytelling. In this lesson, students in grades 6-8 can hone their transformation skills by utilizing support tools to tell a dynamic story. By transforming two and then three objects at a time, students can practice visualization, imitation, imagination, and concentration skills.

Transforming Three Objects - Into Story Journal Grade 6 

To maximize student achievement, download this drama journal for students to use as reflection or formative assessment. For this lesson, 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. 

Hide and Seek Poem

Hide and Seek Poem

There’s nothing better than a cup of tea with a spoonful of revenge! This narrator locks their sister in the bathroom after a game of Hide and Seek goes awry. The poem provides a great opportunity for students in grades 3-7 to practice imitation and storytelling skills. We have also included some recommended step-by-step delivery ideas to help you turn the poem into a full lesson.
 

Hide and Seek Journal: Grades 3-5

Hide and Seek Journal: Grades 6-7

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.

Yes It Is! Activity

Yes It Is! Activity

Participants transform everyday objects into new objects. This fast-paced relay will encourage your students to build imagination and imitation skills! 

Yes It Is! Journal Grade 6 and Up

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