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 family before and during the blackout, and experiment with how communication changes in the dark. There is an option to integrate Language Arts learning by helping students understand how mood, atmosphere and setting impact character behavior throughout the story. We have also included step-by-step delivery instructions to help you guide your students through this lesson.