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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.

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. 

Mime with The Ever-Evolving Green Man Lesson

Mime with The Ever-Evolving Green Man Lesson

Mime is one of the most challenging and most important skills for young actors to learn. Inspired by Gail E. Haley’s The Green Man, this lesson challenges actors to create group mimes based on scenes from the book. This lesson comes with variations for students in grades 3-8 and provides an excellent way for students to practice concentration, collaboration, and transforming into a character.

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.

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.

Tales Retold

Tales Retold Story 

Is the Wicked Witch really so wicked? What did the Big Bad Wolf do that was so bad? Is Prince Charming’s life not quite as charmed as we thought? Students in grades 3-8 will love this hilarious retelling of classic fairy tales. With plenty of active roles available, this piece is a great way to integrate drama and language arts by giving students a chance to practice transformation, characterization and storytelling skills.

Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

What better way to teach action-reaction than a story packed with mischievous animal characters, including a clever coyote, a sneaky snake, and a righteous rabbit? In this lesson, students in grades 3-8 can practice collaboration, imitation, transformation, and action-reaction skills. By presenting their dramas, students can get hands-on experience with defining action-reaction and analyze its importance in creating a good story. You can also integrate Language Arts learning by having students connect action-reaction with cause and effect.

Sixth Grade Journal: Señor Coyote Acts as a Judge

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.