DRAMA LESSON PLANS FOR USE WITH OTHER CURRICULA
Drama for Language Arts
Poetry
In groups select a short poem (1-2 pages). Using the line editing method taught in class, edit the poem into “Core Lines.” Then, act it out using only the body and facial movements and reciting the lines in any way desired, such as choral, individual, a mixture of both, or a different approach.
Variation on the above for larger groups or entire classes, use a short story (5-15 pages).
Spelling B-mote
Practicing spelling can be more fun when students are asked to use the various dramatic methods when spelling their words.
Voice Elements
- vary the tone, pitch, volume, speed ....
- add hesitations and a gesture to show syllable breaks
- speak with an accent
Body Language
- move body to illustrate the character of each letter as the word is spelled
for example - a swaying movement for the fluid letter 's' or stiff with arms out for the rigid letter 't'
Movements do not have to show the shape of the letter, but rather the "feel"
- perhaps a punch in the stomach for the letter 'f'. Students should be told that there is no right or wrong to their choices for each letter.
Emotion
-spell the word using the emotion suggested by the teacher or leader
-spell the word using the emotion suggested by the word e.g. 'worry'
-spell the word using the opposite emotion suggested by the word e.g. 'boring'
-for difficult words - assign a specific emotion to individual students and go down the line spelling the same word in the different emotions
Role
spell the word as if:
-you just won 3 million dollars
-you are 3 years old
-you have a mouth full of jelly beans
-you are the ogre hiding under the bridge
Drama Lessons for Media
In groups choose a popular television show. Each member should be a different character from the show. Act out a short 1-3 minute scene, performing actions that show who is which character. The rest of the class can guess. Then discuss and evaluate.
In groups create and act out a scene based on a news headline; yellow journalism is especially fun for this activity. Perform, then discuss and evaluate.
In groups write, produce, and perform a news show. Each segment must be 1-3 minutes. Anchors and specialty segments can work in pairs.
Drama Lesson Plans for Math
Body Sculpture can add some laughter to a geometry review of 2D and 3D shapes. Divide the class into groups with enough students to make the shapes that you are working on. Groups must try to be first to correctly make the shape called out by the teacher or leader.
-make a rectangle, square, rhombus .....
-make a cube, sphere, tetrahedron .....
-make a cube with a cone inside, square inside a sphere ......
Drama Lessons in Social Studies
In groups, select an historical event and re-enact it in a scene. It can be improvisation, a practiced scene, or a longer unit including script writing.
In groups, select a section from your history text and turn it into a scene that is historically accurate, creative, and informative.
Drama Lessons in Science
This could be used for review or as another take on the research project! If for example you were working on an animal unit, pairs of students could be assigned one animal to research, but instead of presenting their findings in a written report or display, they would present a short skit. Set out the requirements for the task. In the play, the humans must run into the creature in the wild, showing its natural habitat. Through costume and dialogue the students must reveal why they are there (hunters, hikers, scientists, swimmers ..... ). Details about the animal's appearance, behavior, food, etc. must be given and the "plot" should make clear the results of contact between the humans and the animal.