Blackout: Creating Atmosphere Lesson

Blackout: Creating Atmosphere Lesson Centered around the Caldecott Honor Book “Blackout” by John Rocco, this lesson provides rich opportunities for actors to practice using their voices and bodies to create atmosphere. Students in grades 4-6 may work together in pairs or small groups, practicing negotiation and collaboration skills as they imitate the activities of the … Read more

American Pioneers Lesson

American Pioneers Lesson Teaching all the complexities of westward expansion to students in grades 4-6 may seem overwhelming at first. However, in this lesson, students have the chance to apply what they have learned in social studies into creating a drama that explores the economic and geographic factors that affected Americans from 1800-1861, causing many … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

Statue Redesign Lesson

statue redesign

Statue Redesign Lesson Objective: Learning to use collaboration in creating drama. This Language Arts-based lesson focuses mainly on collaboration among students in creating (acting as) statues. Some negotiation among students may occur to determine a course of action, depending on how the setup occurs, so it may be helpful to review “Ask, don’t tell.” Using … Read more

Statue Maker with Nursery Rhymes Lesson

Statue Maker with Nursery Rhymes Lesson Objectives: Students demonstrate collaborative skills and use the body to communicate ideas. Letting students think creatively and abstractly as they work with a partner is at the heart of this lesson. Students mold partners into ideas that complete a reimagining of famous nursery rhymes like “Jack and Jill” or … Read more

Concentration and Partner Work Lesson

Concentration and Partner Work Lesson: Statue Maker Overview: students explore the role of the mind in drama. Objectives: students evaluate self and praise others; define the 5 key vocabulary words (imagination, imitation, transformation, concentration, and collaboration); practice self-management; demonstrate collaborative strategies Freeze!  How long can students stay frozen?  Can they hold still for a partner, … Read more