Creative Drama Activities: Grade 4 - 6

BE-A-SHARK GROUP PANTOMIME

Objective: To practice problem solving and team building skills.

Procedure: Groups of 4-6 students create a single sea creature that moves through the space. For example, two students act like the jaws of a shark. Two others create the fins, while the remaining team members become the body and tail. Together they swim through the space. Perhaps, they pause to eat or chase a fish. Sound effects can be fun.

  • Divide students into groups
  • Instruct groups to choose an animal that belongs to the ocean food chain (i.e. Sharks, fish, lobsters, octopuses-teachers can also assign animals)
  • Allow groups 3-5 minutes to build animals and movements
  • Share animals with the class

Note: To build on this activity, create new and larger groups. More team members increase the difficulty of working together. Work up to one giant class animal (Octopus works well.)

Evaluation:

  1. What was challenging about this activity?
  2. What was your favorite animal from our ocean food chain and why?
  3. What ocean animal would you like to be and why?

WHAT'S YOUR FISH STORY?

Objective: To practice using the imagination in creative collaboration. This activity also introduces students to basic plot structure.

Procedure: Class creates their own "fish story" one sentence at a time. Use the theme of fishing, over-fishing, or fish as the basis for a story.

  • Introduce dramatic terms: characters, plot, conflict, resolution
  • Sitting in a circle, each student adds a sentence to build a story
  • Encourage students to use their imaginations when creating characters
  • What happens to these characters?
  • What conflict or problem must be resolved?
  • Teacher writes out story on chalkboard or paper
  • If time, students can dramatize the story that they've written

Note: To build on this activity, create small groups. Each group creates a new story and shares it with the class.

Evaluation:

  1. How does fishing/over-fishing affect our oceans?
  2. What did you learn from the stories you created?
  3. Review dramatic terms.

PASS THE WHALE CHARADES

Objective: To practice using the imagination and body. This activity also helps students work together in groups.

Procedure: Student groups pass motions from team member to team member. Use marine mammals for inspiration (see suggested list)

  • Divide class into groups of 4-6
  • Have students sit in lines by team, one behind the other
  • Make sure that all the lines are facing the same way
  • Teacher whispers name of marine mammal in the ear of the first student in every line
  • Teacher instructs students to begin
  • First student in line taps the shoulder of next student
  • First student pantomimes animal for second student
  • Second student taps shoulder of next student and pantomimes
  • Motion must be passed telephone-like until it reaches the end of the line
  • Final person goes up to teacher with guess
  • Rotate line and start with a new suggestion

Note: Setting a time limit will increase the difficulty of this activity. Have students brainstorm marine mammal list as a group.

Suggested marine mammals: Humpback whale, monk seal, dolphin

Evaluation:

  1. What was challenging about this activity?
  2. Can you think of any other marine mammals?
  3. What can we do to help our marine mammals in Hawaii?