Easy-to-Use Middle School Drama Lessons: Volume 1
Today, let’s talk about easy-to-use middle school drama lessons, volume 1, shall we? I bet you’d agree with me–teachers are conscientious people. We are like a dog with a bone–we just don’t give up. When I began teaching, my first three years of teaching (English) were exhausting and challenging. In fact, I had never student taught the subject. Plus, I was on my own trying to understand the scope and sequence pacing.
Back then, we did not have mentor teachers. A nice, equally young teacher gave me a huge tome complete with English department standards with outcomes expected by grade level. It was filled with jargon which I had to translate into laymen terms before I could even consider teaching them! Talk about overwhelm. However, I never gave up and learned tons from teaching English for those three years.
From Grad School to the Classroom: What Really Works with Middle Schoolers
Time went by and I survived those first years of teaching. Later, when I began teaching a pre-elective drama class for middle schoolers, I had just finished my M.Ed. in Creative Arts Learning. It was perfect timing—I ended up using so many of those teaching methods in the classroom right away.
What I learned over many years is that middle school students need variety and short bursts of learning. Of course, it’s good if it’s fun, too. (Trust me, here. My students and I laugh a lot in a class period.) Looking for a play to direct? Check out: 8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time
My lessons generally followed this pattern:
- warm up (15 mins.)
- teacher lesson (10 to 20 mins.)
- student application (15 mins.)
- cool down, exit slip, etc. (5-10 mins.)
What’s Inside Volume 1?
Even though this was a pass/fail class, I had the opportunity to teach as much or as little theater information as I liked. The principal left it up to me which was gratifying to way the least. Also, I taught them the rudimentary concepts of stage geography, stage positions, blocking positions, acting positions, and movement. Most youth theater and school theater programs focus on the actor. I knew that the concepts of stage orientation would be needed no matter what program or class they enrolled in next time.
Hooked from the Start: Building Excitement and Ownership in Drama Class
Additionally, students learned about the origin of theater (did it begin through myth or ritual?). We had lively debates discussing their opinions. By establishing the class with this resource, a teacher can put their students in the driver’s seat right off the bat. They learn that their opinions count!
Always I kept it in mind that I wanted my students to enroll in another drama class after mine. Most importantly, I wanted them to leave my class so in love with theater arts they couldn’t wait to learn more about it.
Why Teachers Love It
It is not out of the ordinary for me to receive a positive review. I’m thrilled that I helped a teacher!
“My students loved this unit for my theater class. I have always struggled on how to teach set deisng in this class and your presesntation took me step by step through the procerss! Plus, I was able to modify it for my Behavior Theater class who loved the hands on aspects of this unit. ”
“Thank you for the teacher’s script and details. YOu could easily print and use this in your classroom immediately. SO MUCH DETAILS and SO MANY OPTIONS! I can use it all or in pieces as time allows. Thank you.”
My Favorite Lessons in the Volume
One of my favorite units to teach is set design. Students enjoy it because it’s concrete. It’s not that scary acting/ emotion stuff! Plus, I focus on fairy tales as the theme. When I first began teaching this unit, fairy tales hadn’t become as popular as they are at present. In fact, some students weren’t even familiar with the story of The Three Little Pigs!
However, now that fairy tales are popular in television and film, students nearly jump at the opportunity to create their own set for whatever fairy tale story they choose. The unit includes titles such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood or Jack and the Beanstalk.
In addition, I enjoy teaching about Kamishibai Storytelling. If you are unfamiliar with Kamishibai, you’ll enjoy how well it works in the classroom. Got shy students? You can encourage to break out of their shell through this unit. First, you’ll put your students into teams of two to create their stories. They draw their story and finally they perform them in tandem. Talk about win-win!
How to Use It Throughout the Year
Have you picked up a copy of my Scope and Sequence resource of drama lessons? It’s free to you and will give you a comprehensive and organized plan. You can find it here: Scope and Sequence, Vol. 1.
When you pick up the scope and sequence guide, you’ll notice that I suggest beginning the learning with the basic components of theater. They include tableaux, movement, sound effects, improvisation, movement, etc. Furthermore, there is time for designing a set and costumes, too. I’ve included everything a teacher may need from teacher’s scripts (so you know what to say) to procedures (with time stamps) to warm-up exercises, live video clip links and a rubric or two.
So, there you have it! I hope you’ll grab Volume 1 here to take the guesswork out of teaching drama! Or…buy Volume 1 and 2 here: Bundle Volume 1 and 2 Middle School
Looking for more? Check out my new book, We’re Live! Radio Theater #101–all about how to use radio theater to engage students in any classroom.
Got a question or request? Just email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com. I’d be happy to help you!
P.S. If you all ready own these, check out volume 3! It’s brand new: BUNDLE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM VOLUME 3
Click here: We’re Live! Radio Theater #101
