What's Happening in Drama Classes

It is hard to believe we are already in November, but here we are!  All of the students have been having a great time in Drama Classes this fall.  Here is a quick look at what we have been doing.

In Kindergarten and First Grade we spent several weeks working on movement; how to control our bodies and use them to complete different dramatic challenges.  We are now working on the important drama skill of Observation.  Recent classes have included favorite games such as Frog and Fly, Three Changes and Who Started the Motion.

Students in Second Grade completed a unit on Observing and Working Together and are now exploring Space and Community in Drama class.  We have taken Imagination Journeys into space and are now working on a great short play called Space Wrecked about a group of tourists in space who get stranded on an unidentified planet and have to work together to create their own community.

In Third Grade, we have been working on Pantomime Acting, acting without speaking or using any props.  The students have explored different environments in pantomime, communicated character and plot in pantomime and even tried to sell different items in pantomime.

Students in Fourth Grade have moved away form Pantomime Acting and have started a unit on Voice.  They are working on breathing, projection, rate, clarity and expression.  These are valuable skills not only for acting on stage but also for giving speeches and presentations.

In Sixth Grade, we have been working with the idea of frozen pictures or freeze frames and how an entire story can be told in one snapshot.  We have also been learning about giving and taking focus on stage.

Finally, in Eighth Grade we have been splitting our time between activities which emphasize Improv, acting without preparation, and scene building, creating short scenes with complete plots and well developed characters which solve different dramatic challenges.  We have spent a lot of time laughing at the creative and hysterical ideas the students have come up with.