3rd Grade Drama

Overview

In third grade, students complete two major projects that explore elements of character. To do so, students explore costume design, puppetry, and movement. 

Current Project: Over the course of this project, students will use costume design and movement to explore elements of character. Individually, they will create an original superhero based on both personal and imagined qualities. Throughout they will explore elements of character, costume rendering, construction basics, character movement, and collaborative scriptwriting. The project will conclude with an in-class performance featuring their original short plays and costumes.

Superhero Alter Egos

 To begin exploring character, third grade actors imagined and designed a superhero alter ego for themselves to step into in performance.  Each actor created a Venn diagram examining how they are similar and different to their superhero alter egos. What parts of us remain the same no matter what characters we play? What may change?

Costume Design

After imagining their superhero alter egos, each third grade actor designed a costume to reflect their superhero's personalities and powers. For their designs, they were asked to draw themselves on the left and their super hero selves on the right for comparison. 

Costume Creation

Third grade actors took one step closer to transforming into their super hero selves by each creating an element or two of their superhero costume: capes, masks, ears, etc. 

Collaborative Playwriting

Next, the third grade actors put their playwriting hats on and worked together to write a short script featuring each of their superhero characters. To do so, they participated in a series of "Turn & Talks" with peers. After each Turn & Talk round, they took turns contributing their ideas to the script -- generating a collaborative narrative. Along the way they acted out moments of their writing and discussed opportunities for revision. Below is a quick peek into a Turn & Talk round.

Script Snippets

Below, please enjoy a snippet of each third grade cohort's collaboratively written script.

We Can All Be Heroes 

By 3B

SCENE ONE

NARRATOR: There once was a group of superheroes who called themselves the Super 

Duper Looper Kids! Their mission was to save the world from any different evil 

causes. On the first of December, the heroes were undercover spying on aliens 

because they were going to take over the world with mind control. One of the 

superheroes overheard the alien leader say….

ALIEN LEADER: I am gonna take over all the people’s minds and make them do whatever I 

say!!! (laughs evilly) Mwahahahahaha!

NARRATOR:     So, the superhero who had overheard the evil alien 

  leader’s plans went to the Super Duper Looper Kids hideout and warned     them…

MOON WOLF:      I overheard the evil alien leader say “I’m going to take over all people’s minds!” 

CAPTAIN MYTHICAL: We have to do something!

FLIP:   What should we do?

GUPPY:   According to my calculations the wicked witches of the west are joining the aliens on their evil quest. 

   SO, we split up and go undercover. Half of us will go to the aliens and the other half will go to the    

   wicked witches of the west.

STAR CATCHER: Ok, great plan!

NARRATOR: Before taking off the Super Duper Looper Kids did their famous cheer.

ALL SUPERS: Who are! Who are! Who are we?! We’re the most unstoppable team!

ALL zoom off to save the day.

Legendary 23

By 3A

SCENE ONE

NARRATOR: The Galaxy Heroes were busy planning an attack on the 

supervillains, the Shadows. Recently the Shadows had been completing Mission Galaxy Ray. They were making a big laser to zap earth and mind control all humans. The Galaxy Heroes needed to act fast to stop this evil plan!

SUPER KID 1: We have to go to the Shadow Planet to destroy the ray so none of 

the humans get mind control! No Name, we’re definitely going to 

need your help since you can go into computers and stop them!

SUPER KID 2: No Name! You need to go to the Shadow Planet and get the mind control piece off the ray before t

they can mind control humanity.

NO NAME: I can go there but I will need your help staying safe! I just built a 

rocket we can use to travel to the Shadow Planet.

SUPER KID 3: I’ll drive!

SUPER KID 4: I’ll pack snacks!

SUPER KID 5: Ok team! Let’s go!

ALL SUPERS: 2-3! Let’s go Legendary 23!

NARRATOR: The Galaxy Heroes pack up their gear to prepare for anything. 

They got into the rocket and blasted off into space – heading towards the Shadow Planet.