3rd GRADE DRAMA

Fall - Emotional Monster Puppets

Big Question: How can we connect movement and emotion to express character?

Students created monster puppets that reflected aspects of their personalities. Then, in small groups, they performed short in-class puppet shows about emotional expression: “The Sad Monster’s Rainy Day Blues”, “The Happy Monster’s Picnic Party”, etc. When puppeteering, they focused on how movement expresses emotion. For example, a puppet moving slowly indicates a different emotional state than a puppet moving quickly.

Winter - Musical Theater

Big Question: What is choreography and how might we use it to tell a song's story?

Students learned foundational musical theater dance steps such as box step, pivot turn, and grapevine. In small groups, they worked together to choreograph and perform short songs. To showcase their developing skills, they performed and sang a choreographed rendition of “In Summer” from Frozen at the MP&MS holiday sing-a-long. 

*We are missing a recording of this performance. If anyone out there captured it, please share!

Spring - Comic Strip Scenes

Big Question: How might we use stage direction and stage picture to tell a clear story?

Students staged Calvin & Hobbes comic strip scenes in partners or small groups. Together, they collaborated to stage their scene using the original comic strip as a guide. They practiced annotating their comic strip scripts to reflect the agreed on staging (entrances, exits, placement, etc.). Throughout they focused on physical expression to reveal their character's emotions and strengthened their line memorization skills. To showcase their learning, students performed for a primary student audience.

Student Reflection Snapshots

I remember being nervous, a little, and excited because this was my first time doing a play but when I got up there and did it I felt very proud and happy and not scared and nervous anymore.

I learned how to not be nervous on stage.

I loved running the sound for Calvin & Hobbes. It was really fun. 

I learned that I'm actually good at memorizing lines.