Lesson Step/
Drama Phase | Learning Experiences | Roles | Use of space (S)
Resources (R) |
Preliminary discussion 5 mins | Students enter drama space. Make drama circle (boy, girl, boy, girl) Discussion of the lesson ahead Students reveal the name of their village. (Decided in class during the week) Good morning greeting. | Students out of role | Drama circle (S) |
Warm up game Quick and the Dead 10 mins | Quick and the Dead: Students play a levels game where the teacher calls a position (mountain, fishing, mining or raven) and the students have to quickly become that position. If they are too slow they go to the graveyard. To get out of the graveyard, they can make a pleading face (puppy dog eyes). - mountain (downward dog)
- fishing (throwing a fishing rod)
- mining (on knees digging)
- raven (soaring in a standing position)
At the end of the game, students choose one position and the teacher randomly calls one. All students are eliminated who have not chosen the correct position. This continues until there is a winner. | Students playing game | Drama space (S) |
Exploration of dramatic form – ritual 10 mins | - What is a ritual? (a ceremony)
- What is the essence of a ritual? (a celebration)
- New Year is a ritual – the countdown, and do you know the song? (Should old acquaintance be forgot..."Auld Lang Syne")
- Discussion of New Year's rituals.
- Discussion of the difference between daily tasks (brushing teeth and eating) and rituals (Christmas, Easter etc)
Rituals may change over time. |
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Students form rituals in groups 15 mins | Your task is to create a ritual in role to celebrate the longest day of the year. You need to use: - Rhythm (drums, a beat)
- Chant - saying something over and over again
- Repetition - repeating
- Levels - like in "The Quick and the Dead"
Revision of stage positions: Backstage | UR
(Upstage right) | UC
(Upstage centre) | UL
(Upstage left) | CR
(Centre right) | CS
(Centre stage) | Wings
(Centre left) | DR
(Downstage right) | DC
(Downstage centre) | DL
(Downstage left) | Audience | Wings |
What is the strongest position on stage? - Centre stage
- Downstage Centre
Contrasts in position can also create strength in the drama. eg everyone at the front and one person to the side at the back. Use the downstage areas for your rituals because they are the strongest positions In your groups you are going to have about eight minutes to prepare a ritual. How long can it be? Short or long – it doesn't matter - make it entertaining! Put the students into new groups and send them into the drama space to create their ritual. | Students in role negotiating ritual | Students work inside and outside in the drama space (S) |
Students perform rituals in groups 15 mins | Teacher introduction of ritual performance: I am excited to see this ritual of the longest day of the year, because as I was walking around, this is what I saw: - Students working together
- Taking turns at giving ideas
- Negotiating
- Nobody getting sooky about anything!!
Well done class - you used your time well - thank you! When you are watching, this is what I would like you to look for: - Are they using the stage well?
- Is there something entertaining?
Two stars and a wish... Groups perform ritual.(Student given movie clapboard to begin ritual) Feedback on the focus (rhythm, chant, repetition and levels) and acting techniques at the conclusion of each groups' ritual. | Students in role | Stage and audience configuration (S) |
Conclusion | Star of the week Homework: Predict what is going to happen next in our story. We have our village name and the roles in our village, but there is some unrest... Write three sentences on what you think will happen next. Thanks for participation. | Students out of role | Students seated in the drama space. (S) |