Dramatic Elements

One of the major themes of drama class throughout the years are the dramatic elements of plot, character and setting. Students in kindergarten and first grade learn what plot is by breaking stories down into the beginning, middle and end and then acting them out. Character and setting are studied in a similar manner, using familiar stories to demonstrate the different concepts.

When the students are in second and third grade we look at how the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and why) are related to the dramatic elements. The students participate in a variety of activities in which they must create and communicate different characters, setting, activities, times and motivations.

In the fourth and fifth grade students put all of this knowledge together when we work on Improv. They need to come up with characters, settings, plots and motivations for actions on the spot in order to be successful at improvisational acting. The student at OWS are so creative, which makes watching their improv scenes great fun!

Having a deep understanding of these dramatic elements not only improves the students acting, but also their understanding of what it takes to create a good story or play.

Third Grade Performance

Third grade students will perform Folktales From Around the World tomorrow at 1:30pm. Each class has chosen a folktale from a different country; The Thirsty Frog from Australia, The Blind Children and the Elephant from India and The Grateful Statues from Japan. The students have spent the past several weeks learning the music in music class and rehearsing the acting parts in drama class. We brought both pieces together to create three charming plays.

Bean Bag Boogie!

We have been doing the bean bag boogie in movement class for the past several weeks! The students have practiced balancing bean bags on different parts of their bodies, tossing and catching the bean bags themselves and with partners, throwing the bean bags for distance and accuracy, working with partners to try and carry bean bags while holding them with different body parts and even playing tag games with the bean bags.

These games and activities are helping the students to develop their fine and gross motor skills, hand/eye coordination, agility, balance and creative movement skills. The kids have really enjoyed tyring out different tricks with the bean bags and showing their classmates. Tricks have included throwing the bean bag in the air, clapping several times and then catching the bean bag, throwing the bean bag in the air spinning around and then catching the bean bag and even throwing the bean bag in the air and catching it with a different part of the body!

Peter Pan was a smashing success!

Last night the OWS Players put on a fantastic production of Peter Pan! The show was well attended and the audience really enjoyed the performance. The kids have worked very hard since September and all of their efforts paid off in a big way. Thanks so much to all of the parent volunteers who helped with refreshments, set up and clean up so we could all celebrate the great work done by the kids.

Look for the OWS Players Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock coming in March and starring students in first and second grade!

OWS Players News!

The OWS Players' fall production, Peter Pan, is rapidly approaching! Our show is on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 pm in the Roper Gym. Come cheer on OWS students in grades 3-8 as they entertain you with this classic tale!

Our winter show, Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock, is just for students in kindergarten through second grade. Rehearsals will begin on Friday, December 4th and the show will be on Thursday, March 11th at 6:00 pm. I look forward to beginning work on this fun and fast paced musical!

Pantomime Acting in Grades 3-5

Students in grades 3-5 have been studying the art of pantomime acting in drama classes this month. Pantomime is defined as a performance that communicates an idea or action without using dialogue. Actors must use gesture, expression and energy to be successful at pantomime. Pantomime is one of the most difficult facets of the theater, however, by removing dialogue, voice projection and the use of props students can fully concentrate on their developing stage skills and confidence on the stage.

Students in the third grade have had an introduction to pantomime focusing on the basic qualities of good pantomime: consistency, exaggerated resistance, expression and gesture, keeping the storyline simple while still telling a story and being fantastic! We spent a good deal of time working on different ways to communicate character, place, idea or object without speaking.

In the fourth and fifth grade classes we have been practicing more advanced pantomime acting techniques. Students have spent more time working in groups and creating more involved scenes while still attempting to communicate character, setting and plot. Emphasis has been placed on working with imaginary props and making them appear real through consistency and exaggeration.

Third grade students will soon begin practicing for their upcoming performance. Students in fourth grade will continue to develop their pantomime acting chops and fifth grade students will move on to a unit involving the use of masks in the theater.

-Lisa

Second Grade Explores Electricity Through Drama!

Students in the second grade have been studying electricity in science classes this year. In drama class we have been exploring this concept in a different way!

The students had a chance to create electrical circuits that connected a "button" to a "doorbell" using only their bodies in a game called Ring that Doorbell!

Next, they thought about different inventions that require electricity and used their classmates to build these inventions. We ended up with some amazing human sculptures representing a variety of electrical items, from light bulbs to computers.

Finally, the students had to use their critical thinking skills and powers of persuasion in a game called, Why do we need Electricity? Each student chose a particular electrical item and made their body look like the item. Then I pretended to be the owner of all of the items and I was ready to clean house and throw away all of my old junk! As I approached each electrical item (student) to throw it away, the student would tell me why it was so important that I couldn't throw it away. For example, one student said, "No You can't take me! If you throw me away your floors will be covered in dirt!" I responded, "That's okay, I don't mind a little dirt." The student then said, "But if your floors are covered in dirt no one will want to come and visit you." To which I replied, "Oh, you're right vacuum cleaner. I had better keep you around." The students came up with great reasons for me to keep each of them around and I was able to guess what they all were. This game is a lot of fun, but it also helps kids to understand how reliant we are on electricity in modern life.

One of the ten major goals of the drama program is to show students the connections between drama and the core curriculum. This unit is an example of how that is done.

-Lisa

Drama & Movement Program Information

I am so sorry I missed Specialist's Night! I was home with a bad cold and I didn't want to spread my germs to all of you. I've posted general information about both the drama and movement programs in the column on the left hand side of the blog. Please check it out and let me know if you have any questions.

Lisa

Peter Pan Rehearsals Are Underway!

Rehearsals for the first OWS Players production of the year, Peter Pan, began last week. We have a cast and crew of 27 students in grades 3-8 who meet twice a week after school to create every aspect of the performance.

The actors auditioned on Friday, September 11th and we announced the cast on Wednesday the 16th. The actors began working with me on their blocking almost immediately while Ms. Dunlap and the backstage crew began planning the sets, props and costumes and even creating wooden bows and arrows for the lost boys!

The performance of Peter Pan will be on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!

Stay tuned for information about The OWS Players upcoming productions for students in all grade levels!

-Lisa

Back in the swing of things...

It has been such fun to see all of students back at school and ready for another great year! I want to share with you the different units we are starting at each grade level in drama and movement classes.

Kindergarten and first grade students are learning all about dramatic movement in drama class. We are beginning with games and activities that reinforce the concept of body awareness and then moving on to rhythmic and energetic movement games. The goal is for students to be in control of their bodies and be able to use them to express character, emotion and energy to the audience.

Students in the second grade are beginning a unit on perception and expression. The first focus is on observation, concentration and memory. The games and activities are designed to develop a new kind of sensory awareness, one in which the actor's bodies make visible for the audience what is not visible.

Third, fourth and fifth grade students are practicing the art of pantomime acting; acting without speaking or using any props. Students in the third grade are learning the basic skills of pantomime, while the fourth and fifth graders are practicing more advanced techniques. Pantomime is one of the most difficult styles of acting to master, but it provides students with the means to develop confidence and stage skills without worrying about dialogue, projection and the use of hand props.

In movement class we have kicked off a unit called Perceptual Power! This unit helps to establish the class environment and behavioral expectations while teaching motor development concepts such as body and spatial awareness, non-loco motor and loco motor skills, directionality, levels and rates of movement.

As always if you have any questions about the drama or movement program at Open Window School, don't hesitate to contact me at lisae@ows.org.

Enjoy the second week back at school!

Lisa

Welcome back!

Welcome back to another year at Open Window School! I am so excited to be returning for my fifth year at OWS. This year I will not only be teaching drama to kindergarten through fifth grade students, I will also be teaching movement to kindergarten and first grade students.

As we get ready for the new school year to begin I am busy planning many fun new activities for both drama and movement classes. I am also working with the homeroom teachers to gather material for all of the grade level performances. We have some exciting new shows in the works for this year!

I am also very pleased to announce that the OWS Players will be back this year with not one, but three performances! Our first show will be Peter Pan and rehearsals begin the first week of school. This show is open to interested students in grades 3-8. Rehearsals are Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:00. Sign ups are available in the main office. In the winter be will be putting on a musical with students in grades K-2 and in the spring we'll be back with a musical for students in grades 3-8. This will be the second year of the OWS Players and we are looking forward to many more quality productions in the future!

Keep checking my blog for updates about drama and movement classes and the OWS Players!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Lisa Edwards