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