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, “haunted toy store”, they worked in small groups to create toy store 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. 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 - Small Acts of Kindness Kinetoscope Film 

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 campus. 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. 

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 incorporating their original dialogue.

Spring - Rancho Era

California Cardboard Play 

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 the Gold Rush to the state flower. In the end, they chose California's Rancho Era. 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. To showcase their learning and hard work, they performed at a morning primary assembly and answered questions from the audience.

Student Reflection Snapshots

I liked the haunted house because I enjoyed scaring people with my performance.

 I really like doing drama because I’m a good actor and it is more fun to do it with my friends. 

I liked doing the film project because I liked hand colorizing my film. It takes way longer than you'd think!

I liked my bit in the California Cardboard play when I said, “The finest boots in Boston!” because I liked making the audience laugh.