4th GRADE DRAMA

Fall - Haunted House

Big Question: How might we transform a space to transport an audience into an imagined scenario?

Fourth grade began the year designing and performing in a haunted house for the school community. To begin this project, they explored spooky characters and legends from around the world and used them as inspiration to develop thematic ideas for their haunted house. Once they selected their haunted house theme, “zombie hospital”, they worked in small groups to create hospital-themed scenes to perform in the haunted house. Throughout the project students worked on building their skills maintaining character, telling a clear story, adjusting performance based on audience, and theatrical design. Leading up to their event, 4th grade enjoyed a pumpkin carving party with their middle school buddies. The finished glowing pumpkins were a highlight of their scenic design. MP&MS community members of all ages attended and enjoyed their spooky haunted house!

Winter - Kinetoscope Film - Small Acts of Kindness

Big Question: How might we use film history as inspiration for making a short film?

For their second project, 4th grade learned about the early history of film and made a short film inspired by 19th century and early 20th century hand colorized films like A Trip to the Moon and the Edison Picture Collection. Each student conceptualized and directed a black and white scene featuring a small act of kindness on the playground. While filming, students explored shot size and framed their scenes with either a long or medium shot. Each scene was shot with 12-20 consecutive still images and then hand colorized. The final film also features poetry they wrote in class. 

In addition to creating their film, students imagined dialogue for famous silent film scenes and then acted them out for each other on stage -- working to match the film's staging while also incoroporate their original dialogue.

Spring - California Cardboard Play - Yokut Creation Myth

Big Question: How might we visually tell a chosen story using only recycled materials?

For their final drama project, 4th grade produced a California Cardboard Play. In small groups they pitched and voted on a California topic they had covered in class to turn into a short play. They had lots of ideas ranging from Julia Butterfly Hill to pirates. In the end, they chose a Yokut creation story. Students self-selected into roles and together they created costumes and set pieces out of cardboard. During rehearsals, students focused on their ability to share themselves with the audience, and work together as a team. For instance, some characters were played by multiple actors. To showcase their learning and hard work, they performed at a morning primary assembly.

Student Reflection Snapshots

The project I'll remember the most is the Yokut creation story because I was a good head of the eagle and I'm proud of everything because I was a good leader.

The thing I'll remember most is the haunted house because we had to do a lot of teamwork and play off of the audience. I'm most proud of the Yokut creation story because of the teamwork. Teamwork helps in all the plays you do no matter what play it is.

I'm most proud of the haunted house because of how much work we put into it.

My favorite project was probably the Yokut creation story because I came up with the idea and I'm proud of the duck because I was a wing and that's a big part.

My favorite project was the Yokut creation story and I'm most proud that we made all the stuff for it.