@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

When is a stick not a stick?

Explore a world of play and imagery, where nothing is as ordinary as it seems

Student drama and visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit

Preschool, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 drama and visual arts

What will I learn?

You will:

  • respond imaginatively when using a stick as a stimulus

  • explore elements of drama to create characters

  • develop expressive skills through movement and voice

  • create artworks using a stick as a stimulus.

Before you begin

A plain old stick doesn't always have to be a stick. Are you ready to let your imagination take over and the magic begin?

You'll need:

  • a stick or sticks. If you can't find a stick, you could use a ruler, a wooden spoon or anything else that looks like a stick.

  • paper, pencils, textas or other items you would like to draw and colour with.

  1. Watch

Verbal instructions – Task 1

Watch the video of students from Glenmore Park Public School at the State Drama Festival.

Their performance 'It's Not a Stick!' was based on the book 'Not a Stick' by Antoinette Portis.

Watch as their imaginations take over and their sticks become lots of wonderful things.

State Drama Festival 2019 – Primary – It’s Not a Stick!

Glenmore Park Public SchoolDuration: 03:49

2. Imagine

Are you ready to make your stick become magic and lead to lots of new adventures?

First, let's copy some of the stick adventures from the students at Glenmore Park Public School.

Look at the pictures and see if your stick can become:

5 students on stage pretending a stick is a fishing pole

A fishing pole

Girl on stage pretending a stick is a baseball bat

A baseball bat

6 students on stage pretending a stick is a horse

A horse for cowboys and cowgirls

Group of students on stage pretending a stick is a Jedi lightsaber

A Jedi lightsaber

Be careful with the lightsaber! We don't want to see any Jedis injured in our adventures.

Group of students on stage pretending a stick is an instrument in a marching band

An instrument in a marching band

Now it is your turn to make your stick magic. What can you make it become?

Perhaps you might be:

  • conducting an orchestra

  • fighting a dragon

  • getting out of the rain with an umbrella.

Try and think of 3 of your own 'magic worlds' your stick lives in.

3. Create

Verbal instructions – Task 3

For this activity you will need a small stick that can fit on a piece of paper.

Glue or tape your stick onto the paper.

What will your stick become?

Draw around your stick to turn it into something new.

Colour in your creation.

Watch the video 'Not a Stick' by Kingsway College School and look at the pictures below for some ideas.

Not a Stick by Kingsway College School

Duration: 02:00
Stick on a piece of paper drawn around to create a stick man
Stick on a piece of paper painted around to create a man fishing with fishing pole stick. Standing on a jetty with water, sky and a yellow sun.
Stick on a piece of paper drawn around to create a butterfly in pink and blue
Boy holding stick artwork of a butterfly
Young girl drawing around a stick on a piece of paper
Stick on a piece of paper drawn around to create a tree with a stick figure and house.
Young boy painting his stick artwork outside

Be sure to display your picture proudly for all to see!

Wow!

What a fantastic time we have had on our stick adventures!

You have now completed this @The Arts Unit Creative Class.

Be sure to join us for another Creative Class soon!

You might like to explore more of our @The Arts Unit Creative Classes:







Third-party content attributions

  • State Dance Festival 2019 performance images, photographer: Anna Warr.

  • Boy with butterfly drawing © Sonja Sjolander 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission. Provided all acknowledgements are retained, these images may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes within Australia only.

  • Girl drawing butterfly © Tamara Rodgers 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission. Provided all acknowledgements are retained, these images may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes within Australia only.

  • Boy painting fishing © Heidi Windeisen 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission. Provided all acknowledgements are retained, these images may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes within Australia only.