What's Happening in Drama Classes

Kindergarten and First Grade students are immersed in our puppetry unit.  Over the course of this unit, the students have the chance to make several different types of puppets from stick puppets to marionettes.  They also learn how to operate other types of professionally made puppets and put on original puppet shows using both their own creations and my collection of puppets.

Students in Second Grade have just finished a unit on Teamwork and Electricity which included making closed circuits with each other and convincing a grumpy homeowner (me) why I shouldn't throw away my electronic devices (them).  We are now working on a play production unit in which the students take on all the jobs of putting on the play from writing the scripts to acting to directing to designing sets and costumes.

Third Grade students recently put on their fabulous production of Folktales from Around the World!  I was very proud of all the students.  Their hard work during rehearsals really paid off in what turned out to be a truly excellent show.  We are now getting back into our normal drama curriculum which includes upcoming units on Improv and set and costume design.

Students in Fourth Grade are continuing to develop their stage voices and acting skills by preparing monologues.  The students learned about monologues and the purpose they serve in the acting world, then each student chose a monologue to work with for the next several weeks.  We discussed how to go about learning and performing a monologue and then the students began to rehearse.  They are each preparing a memorized performance of their chosen monologue to share with the class after break.

Fifth Grade drama class is focusing on rehearsals for the upcoming Fifth Grade production of The American Revolution: The Musical.  While this show is directed by Ms. Russell I love to help in any way I can so we use drama class time to rehearse.  Once again, this show is going to be amazing.  The students always impress me with their acting, singing and dancing under Ms. Russell's direction.

Finally, in Seventh Grade, we are all about Improv!  The students learned about the golden rule of improv:  Yes, and... as well as the acronym CROW which stands for Character, Relationship, Objective and Where.  When performing an improv scene the actors want to establish CROW as quickly as possible.  We have been playing several improv games to reinforce these concepts.  They also happen to be a lot of fun!

I hope you all have relaxing and fun mid-winter breaks!