You are on page 1of 45

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

EDB Professional Development for Teachers British Council Hong Kong

Teaching English through Drama

1 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1 Teaching Drama
In part 2 of the workshops we experienced two demonstrations. In this section we review the two teachin se!"ences and consider the sta es# aims and ran e of activities avai$a%$e for deve$opin En $ish ski$$s thro" h drama.

1.1 A Structure Approach to Teaching Drama


&eachin Drama to $ar e ro"ps p$aces a n"m%er of demands on the teacher. 'hen teachin drama we can expect( a fair$) hi h $eve$ of conversationa$ noise different ro"pin s# with st"dents standin # movin # sittin # and "sin space to express themse$ves different ro"ps workin at different paces towards different oa$s

In the workshop we addressed the fact that $earners ma) not %e confident a%o"t their En $ish# or ma) think that drama is *"st f"n and ames. +s teachers we are aware that the main aim of this mod"$e is to deve$op st"dents, $an "a e ski$$s - not prod"ce actors or actresses. .or this reason we need to caref"$$) str"ct"re o"r $essons so that the) have c$ear $in "istic and ski$$s/deve$opment aims# and to comm"nicate these aims c$ear$) to st"dents so that are c$ear on what is expected of them. In Demonstration 1 we saw that it was important to have c$ear $an "a e aims for $essons. 'e a$so saw that a eneric str"ct"re for a $esson sho"$d contain a foc"s on aims and expectations# warm "p activities which tar et $an "a e as we$$ as performance aims# a context - s"ch as a stor) - within which to deve$op the drama# a ran e of drama conventions which foc"s on ski$$s s"ch as character %"i$din # expressin emotion thro" h voice and movement and# of co"rse# creativit) and confidence with $an "a e. 0essons# or series of $essons# sho"$d provide opport"nities for st"dents to ref$ect on their pro ress and to identif) areas for f"rther deve$opment. Demonstration 2 i$$"strated the process of movin from stor) to script and we saw how a n"m%er of different performance/%ased activities co"$d %e incorporated into $essons. &he EDB scheme of work offers man) options for teachers in terms of the t)pe of performance/%ased work the) do within the drama mod"$e. 1choo$s co"$d# for examp$e# adapt their c$ass reader or "se a prepared script that st"dents can then persona$ise %) editin and addin . 2e) drama ski$$s deve$oped in this process invo$ve characterisation and sta in conventions. In the workshop# we worked thro" h a series of tasks which foc"ssed on these ski$$s# whi$e sti$$ %ein foc"ssed on $an "a e ski$$s deve$opment. 3art two of the scheme of work a$$ows st"dents to deve$op# amon st others# their writin ski$$s. 1cript writin has a n"m%er of conventions which st"dents need to %e aware of. B"t the fact that writin dia$o "e is often easier than# for examp$e# writin a stor)# even $ower $eve$ st"dents wi$$ %e a%$e to achieve somethin the) can fee$ pro"d of# iven the ri ht s"pport from the teacher.
2 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1.! Demonstration 1 " Lesson Plan an #esources


Lesson plan: A Structured Drama Class
1

Esta$lishing the focus Aims% To ensure stu ents are clear on the learning o$&ectives an 'hat is e(pecte in terms of $ehaviour an participation.
& or anises startin circ$e and a rees on the aims of the $esson. E$icit words %e innin with 4# e. . comm"nication# co/operation# creativit)# content# co$$a%oration.. 4heck spe$$in and write on the %oard.

)i(ing space Aims% To encourage learner autonom* an responsi$ilit*. To ensure stu ents have a efine 'or+ area. 1et "p ro"ps and assi n performance space.

,arm-.p /aterials% 1 set of word cards / 6 or 7 st"dents


Aims% To intro uce an provi e practice 'ith +e* voca$ular*. To evelop range of e(pression through movement an encourage colla$oration 0 cooperation Introd"ce the voca%"$ar) %) showin the word cards and checkin st"dents "nderstand the words.

Human Sculptures Introd"ce %) demonstratin with a st"dent. 8o" are a sc"$ptor9 the st"dent is the sc"$ptin materia$s. :ove the st"dent to make the o%*ect ;chair< written on the card. 4heck st"dents "nderstand what to do( if necessar)# et a pair of st"dents to demonstrate for the ro"p.
1t"dents work in ro"ps of 7 or =# the word cards are face down. >ne st"dent se$ects a card and sc"$pts their partner to form the o%*ect. &he) co"$d "se so"nd effects and movement as we$$. &he rest of the ro"p watch and tr) to "ess the correct word on the card.

Teacher

Lift

Door

Bottle of 'ater

Chair

/o$ile phone

Scissors

Train

)irefighter

E(ample A% ,or Car s for Human Sculptures

5 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

.sing Stimuli /aterials% 1 set of pict"re cards / 6 or 7 st"dents


Aims% To further evelop language s+ills in the conte(t of a narrative. To encourage creativit* an confi ence 'ith English through eveloping a group narrative. Exp$ain that a$$ the words in the $ast activit) re$ate to a tr"e stor) a%o"t a teacher. 1how %i pict"res on the %oard. 1t"dents work in ro"ps to match words to pict"res. & checks answers# stickin the word cards next to the correct pict"re In ro"ps# st"dents ora$$) create a %asic stor) in ro"ps# "sin the pict"res. &he) te$$ the c$ass. 4heck ideas %) re/orderin the pict"res and words on the %oard. +sk other ro"ps to sa) if their stor) is the same or different - if time a$$ows# ask another ro"p to te$$ their stor). 1oice 'or+ /aterials% 1entence word cards ;*"m%$ed order on the %oard< Aims% To evelop range an control of pronunciation. To learn a$out the effect of voice on creating a character. To intro uce a s*stem of notation to learners for further voice 'or+. & c$arifies the stor) for st"dents( ?&his stor) is a%o"t a )o"n teacher# 2ate. It is 1at"rda) mornin and she doesn,t have to o to work. 1he is oin to a hairdresser on 0anta". 'hen she is there# she ets a phone ca$$ which chan es her da) - for the worse@, & sticks the *"m%$ed word cards on the %oard. Exp$ain that this is what 2ate said when she received the phone ca$$. Aive st"dents time to tr) and reorder the words to make the correct sentence. E$icit s" estions from st"dents and rearran e the cards on the %oard. 4heck meanin and st"dents cop) the sentence. 2,ell3 45m reall* not sure that that is going to $e possi$le65 & works with the st"dents on pron"nciation ;show st"dents how to annotate "sin s)m%o$s<. :ake a note of the decisions made a%o"t the character,s voice in re$ation to(

word / sentence stress (draw dots over words to indicate stress) pa"sin (use // to indicate any pauses) accent ;BritishB +mericanB Con 2on B< speed ;fastB 1$owB< (Use an arrow under phrases that are spoken quickly and a dotted line under slow sections) vo$"me ;$o"d$)B soft$)B whisperedB< (write the words on the text) intonation (use arrows to indicate direction) pitch ;hi hB $owB< (underline high pitch, draw a line over low pitch)

Additional practice Dictate a different# $on er piece of speech - possi%$) a short dia$o "e %etween 2ate and the hairdresser 1t"dents work in pairs to decide how to sa) the sentence. &he) annotate their script# "sin the conventions a%ove. In open c$ass# st"dents de$iver their $ines. &a$k to the c$ass a%o"t how each one so"nds# e. . hi h or $ow pitch# stressed words# speed# etc.
6 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

'ith more advanced ro"ps# ask st"dents a%o"t how the voice can he$p create a character# e. . does the character so"nd )o"n or o$d# what is her %ack ro"nd# did she o to "niversit)# what kind of a person is sheB =

Soun collage Aims% To provi e opportunities for creativit*3 suita$le to mi(e level groups. To emphasise the importance of soun an soun effects in creating rama.
& works with the c$ass. Aive st"dents time to %rainstorm the different thin s )o" can hear at a hairdresser,s. E$icit a ran e of so"nds that we can hear in the $ocation ;a hairdresser,s< &. writes "p ideas on the %oard. +sk st"dents for how the st"dents can make the different so"nds. 1t"dents cop) the $ist of so"nds# for examp$e( 1cissors Cairdr)er 'ater Dadio / m"sic 3eop$e ta$kin Door openin and c$osin &raffic Deceptionist answerin the phone / makin appointments

3eop$e readin / %rowsin 4ash re ister / Fideo ames newspapers and ma aEines E(ample B% Soun s ,e Hear at the Hair resser7s 1t"dents work in ro"ps. &he) create a so"nd co$$a e for the scene ;finishin with $ine of dia$o "e the) practised %efore<. &he) "se their voices and an) other o%*ect in the room to he$p them. 'ork with the ro"ps to enco"ra e and s"pport. Aro"ps perform their so"nd co$$a e. >ther st"dents $isten and identif) the so"nds the) hear. &he) tick the so"nds the) hear on their $ists. Additional practice If )o" have the e!"ipment# have st"dents practice and then record their ?so"nd tracks,# as if the) were makin a fi$m. 3$a) the so"nd tracks to the who$e c$ass# and identif) the different so"nds. Disc"ss how thin s co"$d %e improved or a$tered. G

Bo *scaping 8Preparation for free9e0unfree9e an thought trac+ing: /aterials% Deve$opin )o"r character - !"estions ;1 per st"dent<
Aims% To practice forming an respon ing to a range of ;uestions in 'riting. To focus stu ents on characterisation an prepare them for performance. & prepares st"dents to create a short performance of the scene. Individ"a$$)# st"dents think a%o"t the character the) are p$a)in # writin answers to the !"estions. +sk st"dents to write 2 or 5 other !"estions and to answer them a%o"t their character. &e$$ st"dents that we wi$$ ask them !"estions a%o"t their character d"rin the performance 1t"dents work in ro"ps to create their %od)scape scenes. & monitors and he$ps. &he %od)scape finishes when 2ate answers the phone and de$ivers her $ine.

7 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1 2 5 6 7 =

'hat is )o"r character,s nameB Cow o$d are )o"B 'hat do )o" doB 'here do )o" $iveB 'ho do )o" $ive withB 'h) are )o" at the hairdresser,sB Is there a specia$ part) or is this a re "$ar visitB G Do )o" a$wa)s come to this hairdresser,sB 8 Do )o" know the peop$e at the hairdresser,sB 9 'hat did )o" do %efore )o" arrivedB 10 'hat wi$$ )o" do afterB E(ample C% Sample <uestions for Characterisation 8

)ree9e 0 .nfree9e an thought trac+ing /aterials% H"estion on the %oard ;as a prompt for st"dents d"rin the tho" ht trackin task<
Aims% To evelop a short3 group performance that ena$les stu ents to freel* practice the concepts an techni;ues covere in the lesson. To provi e practice in self- irection an evelop confi ence Aro"ps perform their short scenes. &eacher and st"dents freeEe and "nfreeEe the action as necessar). 3erformers are !"estioned on their character and motivation ;re$atin to the !"estions set in the previo"s sta e<. If time# other ro"ps a$so perform.

Evaluating achievements an learning an closing the session 8 rama log: /aterials% drama $o ;1 per st"dent<
+ims( &o enco"ra e ref$ection on pro ress in re$ation to the aims of the $esson / series of $essons. Deve$op capacit) to critica$$) ref$ect on $earnin . &eacher works with st"dents to ref$ect on the $esson and comp$ete the drama $o .
Date 1 &oda) we I What did you do? Why did you do it? ! &oda)# I didn,t "nderstand I What language was difficult? = Jext time# I want to I ow will you i!prove in the next lesson? > Cow we$$ did )o" doB "ircle a nu!#er

4omm"nication 4o/operation 4o$$a%oration

E(ample D% E(ample of a Self-#eflection ?ournal = EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1.!.1 Developing Autonom* + ke) part of the new c"rric"$"m is the deve$opment of $earner a"tonom) and in the session we stated that this imp$ies a chan e of attit"de in# first# teachers and then st"dents. 'e see a"tonom) as the a%i$it) and wi$$in ness of the $earner to take responsi%i$it) for the direction of their $earnin . In c$ass we need to provide st"dents with opport"nities to exercise a"tonom) and work independent$) of the teacher. 0essons# therefore# sho"$d inc$"de aims and sta es which a$$ow st"dents to deve$op their a"tonom). &o do this we ma) choose to incorporate the fo$$owin techni!"es 1e$f/monitorin ;e. . a pro ress record< 1e$f/correction ;a$so peer/correction< Faria%$e pacin ; ro"ps# rather than $ockstep< Extensive readin and $istenin Kse of p"pi$ teachers# either forma$$) or informa$$) Aro"p work 3ro*ect work &ro"%$e/shootin sessions ;i.e. disc"ssin $earnin pro%$ems 4hoice of activities# or contexts 1harin o%*ectives ;i.e. invo$vin st"dents in some wa) with the p$annin of their co"rse<

.i "re 1( &echni!"es for deve$opin a"tonom)

If we ref$ect %ack on these techni!"es# we can see that the demonstration $esson incorporated man) opport"nities to deve$op $earner independence. 'e accept that rea$ independence of the teacher is somethin most $earners need to achieve %) the time the) o to "niversit). 'e a$so see that man) $earners are "nwi$$in to take on more responsi%i$it). Deve$opin a"tonom) is a process and if we permit o"rse$ves to pass some of the contro$ of the $earnin %ack onto the st"dent# we can %e s"re that over time the effect wi$$ %e %eneficia$. 1.!.! The 4mportance of ,arm up Activities &he warm/"p is a ke) feat"re of a performance/%ased c$ass and sho"$d a$wa)s %e "sed even if there is on$) time for 7 min"tes. &he warm/"p works on a n"m%er of $eve$s foc"sin on ;a< warmin "p the %od) to ena%$e st"dents to "se a ood ran e of movement and ;%< warmin "p the voice so st"dents are read) to "se the f"$$ ran e of pitch# intonation and vo$"me $eve$s. .or o"r p"rposes# warm "ps sho"$d have a c$ear $an "a e foc"s as we$$. In terms of the ro"p# this is the teacher,s ke) moment to %rin a%o"t a sense of cohesion and co$$a%oration in the ro"p. Each activit) in the ta%$e opposite has a different foc"s and can %e "sed a$one. &hink a%o"t the %asic $eve$ of %ehavio"r in )o"r c$ass as each activit) re!"ires increased foc"s and reater ph)sica$ or voca$ o"tp"t.

G EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

,armer 1 Change places

@utcomes 1s et a sense of who,s in the ro"p9 the) think# respond and think !"ick$) and so et a ph)sica$ warm/"p9 the) have to work "sin e)e contact and so this form of comm"nication increases in the ro"p. ! /agnets &he circ$e disperses as st"dents +nother ph)sica$ warmer which wa$k aro"nd the room9 the a$so re!"ires !"ick thinkin and teacher ca$$s o"t ro"pin co$$a%oration especia$$) when n"m%ers and feat"res# e # st"dents are not in a ro"p and groups of three & wearing have to form another ro"p "sin trousers' those who are not somethin the) have in common. wearin tro"sers stand a$one or form other ro"ps# e # skirts = #aising 1t"dents form a circ$e a ain and &his is $ess ph)sica$# %"t re!"ires the flag this time the teacher exp$ains ro"p work# p"rpose and foc"s. that the f$a for the c$ass has 1ome peop$e sho"$d stand at one fa$$en - ?we have to raise the f$a end of the ima inar) po$e $iftin it a ain,. 1s work to ether to raise with ?ropes, whi$e most stand at the the f$a a ainst a storm. other side p"shin it "p. +n opport"nit) exists here for "sin a voca$ warmer with ?heave9 heave, or a workin chant. :ake s"re ever)one shows how m"ch effort the) are p"ttin in and drops after the),ve $ifted the f$a po$e with handshakes# s$aps on the %ack and %i smi$es. > @rchestra Kse an orchestra $a)o"t on the &his is a ood wa) to or anise the 3ower3oint# or on the %oard# ro"p to work to ether and and have st"dents stand in comp$ement one another9 the "se certain sections. Kse the of spot$i htin one ro"p whi$e the me$od) )o" have devised ear$ier others p$a) in the %ack ro"nd and orchestrate the ro"p in the mirrors the spot$i htin techni!"e fo$$owin wa)( we wi$$ "se in 3art 5. &he ;1< 3erc"ssion ;c$aps# stamps< techni!"e re!"ires that st"dents ;2< Do"%$e %ass ;$on # $ow take "p a rh)thm and $isten to one notes< other for pitch. +s s"ch# it is a ;5< 'ind L %rass section ;hi h ood voca$ warmer. notes< ;6< 1trin s ;hi h# !"ick notes# main me$od)< Brin in each section one at a time# have the ro"p ?p$a)in , to ether for a%o"t 60 seconds# then spot$i ht one ro"p and fina$$) fade the piece o"t.
.i "re 2( Examp$es of 'arm "p +ctivities

Proce ures 1t"dents stand in a circ$e facin one another and swap p$aces dependin on the instr"ction# e # change places if you$re wearing #lack socks%

8 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1.!.= .sing Stimuli In $an "a e teachin # we enera$$) refer to tasks# activities and exercises. &his $an "a e can %e "sed in drama# %"t there are a$so other terms "sed to refer to materia$s. &he word ?stim"$"s, ;sin "$ar< or ?stim"$i, ;p$"ra$< is "sed to refer to materia$ the teacher "ses to enerate a foc"s or create a stor). 1tim"$i can come from a ran e of so"rces as is $isted %e$ow# and can %e "sed a$one or in com%ination(/
Stimuli 1 Fis"a$ 2 +"ra$ 5 Dea$ia or props 6 0iterat"re 7 3ersona$ events E(amples 3hoto raphs# paintin s# pict"res# cartoons + so"ndtrack# so"nd effects in a se!"ence# a son + %a containin a character,s possessions + diar) entr) from a character# a $etter# an e/mai$# a phone %ook + poem# an excerpt from the news# a passa e from a stor) +n anecdote from someone,s experience# for examp$e# the teacher co"$d te$$ a stor) from her persona$ experience )igure =% T*pes of Stimuli

>ne wa) to "se stim"$i is to %"i$d "p an event or a character thro" h the piecin to ether of a ran e of stim"$i# for examp$e# the fo$$owin co"$d %e "sed to create a stor)( a newspaper c$ippin a%o"t a dramatic event a son /so"ndtrack to indicate ;a< tra ed)9 ;%< comed)9 ;c< excitement an ;invented or rea$< report from someone who was invo$ved in the event

&he "se of stim"$i is one wa) to provide opport"nities for the st"dents to co$$a%orate comm"nicate and think creative$) ;three of the nine eneric ski$$s<. 1t"dents "se a$$ the $an "a e the) have at their disposa$ to ne otiate what kind of stor) is %ein introd"ced and what opport"nities exist for deve$opin it. In o"r session# we "sed photo raphs of distinct$) different scenes. &he $an "a e work invo$ved foc"sed on(/ descri%in what was in the pict"re ;main$) voca%"$ar)# e # tr"ck# crowd# d"st< descri%in where it mi ht %e ;$an "a e of spec"$ation< descri%in what peop$e mi ht %e doin ;$an "a e of spec"$ation<

1.!.> Developing )ree9e )rame Activities 4reatin a sti$$ ima e ;a$so known as ?ta%$ea", ;sin "$ar<# ?ta%$ea"x, ;p$"ra$<< is a partic"$ar$) "sef"$ for $ower $eve$ st"dents# or $earners at the %e innin of the co"rse. 3art of the appea$ of mime work# in enera$# is that it he$ps to deve$op the ke) ski$$s of concentration and ph)sica$ expression. Aro"ps can take photo raphs of their sti$$ ima es and "sin one person as a ?sc"$ptor,# the) create a sti$$ ima e to %est represent the ima e. >nce the

9 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

$earners have deve$oped confidence with the task# )o" can %e in to introd"ce some of the devices drama that offers "s.
Aspect of the rama De$ative stat"s De$ationships Emotion .oc"s of attention 1isual effect Levels 8o" can "se hi h $eve$s and $ow $eve$s ;someone who is standin hi h9 someone who is cro"chin <. Distance 3h)sica$ distance %etween characters can show the c$oseness in their re$ationships. 4haracters can %e $ined "p %ehind one another to show s"pport or for protection. Stance an gesture &he est"re and stance a character takes can s)m%o$ise his/her emotiona$ attit"de and invo$vement in the scene. 0ack of foc"sed est"re a$so indicates one,s invo$vement. Ba9e &he aEe can %e "sed to show re$ationships# emotions# foc"s of attention and# a$on with the wa) the head is positioned# can indicate the $ike$) action a character wo"$d take. )igure >% Techni;ues for Developing Ta$leau(

1.!.A #eflecting on Learning &he session sho"$d contain some attempt to eva$"ate what has %een done# what achievements st"dents have made and what the) have $earnt. &here are different wa)s to do this from simp$e to comp$ex and the ta%$e %e$ow sets o"t some s" estions.

/aterials nee e &raffic $i ht cards( sma$$ 5cm M 5cm cards of red# am%er and reen ;can %e $aminated< :in"te papers

1e$f/Datin

4ompetenc) %ad es

Proce ure an purpose 1s iven cards of red# am%er and reen. & asks specific !"estions# and st"dents show the card that most ref$ects how the) assess this themse$ves. 1s are iven a ?min"te paper, - often %oxes with ;a< what did I $earnB ;%< what didn,t I "nderstandB ;c< what do I sti$$ need to work on next timeB 1s have 2/5 min"tes to fi$$ them o"t with points. &he) can share them with a partner or with the teacher. &he min"te paper co"$d %e part of a $o /%ook or the portfo$io and occ"r after ever) session. 1s are iven a $ist of statements a%o"t ;a< their performance# and ;%< what the) $earnt# which the) respond to with a n"m%er %etween 1 and 6# 1 meanin - I didn,t do ver) we$$/didn,t "nderstand M# and 6 meanin # I did ver) we$$/I "nderstood M. &here is a worked examp$e of this in 3art 6 of the da). &he teacher has a co$$ection of competenc) %ad es# for examp$e# ? ood rasp of $eve$s,9 ? ood rasp of aEe,9 ? ood "se of space,9 ? ood "nfreeEe,# and st"dents nominate who sho"$d et them for that session. If the) are stickers# these co"$d %e mo"nted on an on/ oin wa$$/chart.
10

EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Aoa$s to work on

&his is another techni!"e that can %e "sed with a wa$$/chart. :ake a $ist of competencies# s"ch as ;a< workin co$$a%orative$)9 ;%< workin in En $ish9 ;c< "sin the space p"rposef"$$)9 ;d< "sin $eve$s meanin f"$$)9 ;e< "sin aEe meanin f"$$)# and so on# and have st"dents p"t their name next to two tar ets to work on for the comin session. In this wa)# the) can "se this as an aim at the %e innin of the session and come %ack to it in order to assess their foc"s and pro ress at the end.
)igure A% E(amples of #eflective Tas+s

1.= Demonstration ! " Lesson Plans an #esources


Lesson plans: Developing Stories and Writing Short Scenes &his fo$$owin $esson o"t$ines foc"s partic"$ar$) on parts 2 and 5 of the EDB 1cheme of 'ork. &he aim of the demonstratin was to show the main sta es of the pro ression from introd"cin a stor)# or inventin one# to writin and rehearsin the script.
1

4ntro ucing the stor*


/aterials% 4assette ;stor)<# 3aper and pens ;for note takin < Introd"ce the stor) "sin the pict"res from the previo"s $esson. 3"t the pict"res on the %oard. 'orkin in pairs# st"dents $isten to the stor) and make a note of the main action. 3$a) a ain if necessar). 4heck their "nderstandin %) %rief$) e$icitin the main action - referrin to the pict"res to he$p c$arif). 'rite "p the names of the main characters in the stor) ;2ate# Cenr)<

Developing a'areness of character


1t"dents do a variet) of tasks to deve$op awareness of different aspects of the main characters in the stor). 1: #ole on the 'all 8Character Kate: /aterials% H"estion hando"t ;1 per pair<# +5 paper for ro$e/on/the/wa$$. 1t"dents work in pairs. &he) answer a series of !"estions on their hando"ts a%o"t the character# 2ate. Dead thro" h the instr"ctions for the task. Aro"ps create an o"t$ine for their character and write in the information "sin co$o"r# etc. 4haracters are p"%$ished - ro"ps $ook at each other,s characters and answer some !"estions ;e. . 'hich version of 2ate wo"$d )o" most $ike to have as a teacherB 'hich one do )o" think is f"nniestB :ost strict or serio"sB<

11 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

#ole on the 'all - Kate


&hink a%o"t the character# 2ate. 'rite answer the fo$$owin !"estions.

'hat,s her *o%B Cow o$d do )o" think she isB Is she at work toda)B 'here is sheB 'h) is she thereB 4an )o" descri%e what she $ooks $ikeB Cow ta$$/heav)/s$im is sheB

'hich words %est descri%e her persona$it)B De$ia%$e ."nn) 0aE) 3ractica$ 4$ever 4onfident Knre$ia%$e 1erio"s Card/workin .$ak) 1i$$) Jervo"s

Decide on three more words to descri%e her persona$it). Cow does she fee$ when she receives the phone ca$$ in the hairdressersB 'rite three fee$in s she has at the same time. .or examp$e( an r)# happ)# sad# s"rprised# etc.
5 6

Draw a %od) temp$ate for 2ate. &hink a%o"t the c$othes she is wearin . Decide where )o" wi$$ write the words that descri%e(

her ph)sica$ appearance her persona$it) her fee$in s after she ets the phone ca$$

(ip) *e!e!#er that you can write outside the outline and inside the outline' close to the #ody and far fro! the #ody% +ou can use colour for different reasons, and you can add words to this character at any point%

)igure C% Sample Tas+ Sheet for #ole on the ,all

12 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

!: Boo angel 0 Ba angel 8Character Henr*: /aterials% Cando"t ;1 per st"dent< - Aood an e$ / Bad an e$ 1t"dents exp$ore another character and do some simp$e performance / voca$ warm "ps. & introd"ces the activit) and "ides st"dents with $an "a e. In ro"ps of three# st"dents ro$e p$a) ood an e$ / %ad an e$. & monitors and he$ps with $an "a e. If time a$$ows# st"dents perform for other ro"ps.

Boo angel 0 Ba angel


1: Dead a%o"t Cenr)# the $oca$ reso"rce assistant.
Henr* the resource assistant Cenr) is in his ear$) =0,s# is a widower# and has ad"$t chi$dren and randchi$dren. Ce has %een workin at this schoo$ for 27 )ears9 knows ever)one9 knows a$$ the ro"tines# and is ver) or anised. Ce is friend$) man# who $ikes to chat. 'hen thin s do not o to p$an# Cenr) fee$s responsi%$e for findin so$"tions# and wi$$ sometimes tr) to do or ta$k a%o"t doin heroic thin s that are %e)ond his ph)sica$ a%i$it).

4over "p the text. 'hat can )o" remem%er a%o"t Cenr)B !: 'ork in two ro"ps. ,roup - - think of a$$ the positive thin s a%o"t the sit"ation. 'rite sentences ivin advice or s" estions for Cenr). Examp$e( 2,h* on5t *ou rela(3 Henr*. Ever*thing is @K65 ,roup . - think of a$$ the ne ative thin s a%o"t the sit"ation. 'rite sentences ivin advice and s" estions for Cenr) Examp$e( 24t5s *our fault. Dou shoul sa* sorr* to Kate.5 =: 'ork standin in ro"ps of three. >ne of )o" is Cenr)# one is the ood an e$ and the other is the %ad an e$. Aood an e$( make s" estions to Cenr) a%o"t the %est wa) he can react in the sit"ation# and a$$ the ood opport"nities that exist at this moment. Bad an e$( te$$ Cenr) a%o"t a$$ the %ad thin s a%o"t this sit"ation9 fri hten him with fears a%o"t the worst possi%$e thin s that can happen %oth now and when he event"a$$) ets o"t of the $ift. Cenr)( $isten to what the ood and %ad an e$ each sa) to )o" and see how )o" fee$ a%o"t each comment and s" estion. 'hich has the %est advice and s" estionsB Is it the ood an e$ or the %ad an e$
.i "re G( 1amp$e &ask 1heet for Aood +n e$ / Bad +n e$

15 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

=: Thought tunnel & introd"ces the task. 1t"dents $isten and decide on their ideas. &he) p$an short $ines of dia$o "e for the character,s tho" hts. 1t"dents work in two ro"ps. &he) take it in t"rns to speak the character,s tho" hts and wa$k thro" h the t"nne$ $istenin to them.

8See section 1.=.1 for more conventions:


5 Developing a'areness of plot structures /aterials% :atchin cards ;1 set / ro"p or 5 or 6<# answer cards# +5 paper and pens In pairs# st"dents match different p$ots t)pes to their definitions. & checks answers "sin the $ar e cards and c$arifies as necessar). 1t"dents make a ?poster, with examp$es of each of the p$ot t)pes and decide the t)pe of p$ot of the stor) ;introd"ced in sta e 1<

16 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

&his p$ot %e ins with %ack ro"nd information. &here is a sma$$ 1st pro%$em# and a so$"tion. &hen# a m"ch %i er pro%$em happens. +fter some diffic"$t moments# this pro%$em is so$ved and $ife ret"rns to norma$. Ksed in &F soaps# Co$$)wood fi$ms 1imp$e L reco nisa%$e for a"dience &his p$ot is rea$$) series of events which ma) or ma) not %e connected to one another. The Episo ic plot &his was ver) common in 18th cent"r)# for examp$e 4har$es Dickens. &his p$ot t)pe is $ike rea$ $ife %eca"se the dramatic se!"ences are not so extreme

The 2,5 plot

The Hero5s &ourne*

&his is the stor) of a hero who is ca$$ed to advent"re. &he hero is tested in a minor sit"ation L wins &he hero is then tested in a ma*or sit"ation L a$tho" h it $ooks $ike s/he wi$$ $ose# fina$$) wins. .ina$$)# the hero ret"rns to societ). &his p$ot t)pe is "sed in m)ths# $e ends# fair)/ta$es# fa%$es# fo$k ta$es &he characters face a series of increasin $) dramatic incidents# responses# and so$"tions or comp$ications - each one worse than the $ast.

The /ountain plot

&his p$ot t)pe is "s"a$$) excitin %eca"se it deve$ops dramatic tension. &here are often s"%p$ots# which keep the a"dience interested.

)igure E% Samples of Plot T*pe /atching Car s

17 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Planning an 'riting the script


1t"dents $earn a%o"t the %asic conventions of script writin and %e in to deve$op their own scripts. /aterials% Cando"t - .oc"s on p$ot str"ct"res & introd"ces the p$ot raph. 1t"dents divide the stor) "p into scenes and write these on their raphs. &he) note the main action in each scene. & checks in open c$ass. 1t"dents make a $ist of the main characters in each scene. &he) write these on their hando"t. & introd"ces the next activit) %) e$icitin $an "a e for how the characters fee$ d"rin each scene. 1t"dents contin"e makin a $ist of ad*ectives to descri%e the fee$in s of the characters at different points in the stor).

a< Jame the 5 main scenes in the stor). 'hat action happens in each sceneB 4omp$ete the raph with )o"r ideas.

%< 'ho are the characters in each sceneB 'hat are the) fee$in B 4omp$ete the ta%$e with )o"r ideas. Kse the words in the %ox to he$p )o".

happ)

re$axed

an r)

scared

tired

sad

excited

s"rprised

re$ieved

)igure F% Sample Plot Braph 'or+sheet 8a:

1= EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

/aterials% Cando"t - 'ritin scripts & introd"ces the main feat"res of a p$a)script. & writes "p the information on the %oard.

1ettin # props# new characters# cost"me# what happened %efore# sta e directions# $i htin # so"nd effects
1t"dents $ook at the examp$e scene and $a%e$ the different feat"res of the introd"ction. & checks in open c$ass. & %e ins workin with dia$o "e. 1ome of the dia$o "e is written in# st"dents work in pairs to comp$ete the missin parts.

Introd"ce some adver%s for the manner of de$iver) ;e. . h"rried$)# ca$m$)# happi$)# sad$)# an ri$)# etc.< 1t"dents practice readin the dia$o "es. &he) decide which adver%s ;or ad*ectives< descri%e the manner of de$iver)# writin the adver%/ad*ective at the %e innin of each $ine ;e. . happi$). sad$)# ca$m$)# tired# an ri$)# etc.< In open c$ass# st"dents practise readin their dia$o "es. >ther st"dents $isten and decide on the emotion in the voice.

Dead the examp$e introd"ction for 1cene 5. :atch the words to the information in the text Setting3 props3 ne' characters3 costume3 'hat happene $efore3 stage irections3 lighting3 soun effects

The Sub and the Lift Scene 3 Kate has finally arrived at Kwai Hing school after a long and difficult journey where she nearly gets lost.

She is met in a messy staffroom by Henry, the Resource assistant. There are desks, chairs, papers and a hamster in a cage.
Kate enters stage left, Henry appears stage right!

2<

'ork with a partner. 'rite )o"r own introd"ction for a different scene.

1G EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

)igure 1G% Sample Tas+ Sheet for Anal*sing Pla*scripts

Dead the examp$e dia$o "e for scene 1. In pairs# contin"e the dia$o "e for a few more $ines.

Kate( ;h"rried$)< Henr*( ;ca$m$)< Kate( ; <

I,m so $ad to see )o"# Cenr). 'e tho" ht )o" ot trapped on the :&D or somethin # %"t here )o" are@ NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Henr*( ;

< NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

10<

'rite a short dia$o "e for a different scene. Don,t for et to inc$"de information on( a. %. c. d. Cow the character is fee$in 'hat the character is doin 'here the) are and the o%*ects the) "se +n) specia$ effects with $i ht or so"nd
)igure 11% Sample Tas+ Sheet for Developing Dialogue

To'ar s performance
& introd"ces the %asic parts of the sta e and their notation. 1t"dents $isten to the instr"ctions from the teacher and do the action ;e. . wa$k s$ow$) "p sta e $eft# r"n down sta e centre# sta er sta e ri ht# etc.< 1t"dents practice their short scenes and %$ock in the moves on their scripts.

18 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1.=.! Discussion factors affecting plot an script evelopment Developing stories + n"m%er of h"man sit"ations can %e worked o"t thro" h drama. Each of the fo$$owin sit"ations invo$ves either a critica$ moment that the drama hin es on# a process of %ein in one state and %ecomin another# or makin connections %etween peop$e# events or thin s( se$f/discover) or the discover) of know$ed e achievin a oa$ thro" h hard work# $"ck or inf$"ence %ein tested ;tr"th# temptation< ettin to know someone or somethin - enco"nterin the "nfami$iar experiencin a connection with the wor$d aro"nd "s( anima$s# nat"re facin a di$emma and choosin a co"rse of action %ein ca" ht in the act of doin somethin wron keepin or %reakin promises/tr"st escapin from diffic"$t circ"mstances pers"adin someone to do somethin takin reven e or resistin takin reven e facin the same pro%$em and tack$in it in different wa)s mat"rin as a res"$t of oin thro" h a diffic"$t experience

Theme + second area to consider when decidin what stories to work with is the theme. :an) teachers find that a pro%$em that is fami$iar can %e worked o"t we$$ in a drama c$ass. &hemes that mi ht resonate with )o"r c$ass inc$"de the fo$$owin ( fami$) re$ationships and press"re $eavin home competin demands at schoo$ cheatin # %"$$)in the press"re to smoke the press"re to conform - fashion# $an "a e# possessions the need for a %o)friend/ ir$friend the ori ins or effects of "i$t# pride# reed

+$ternative$)# teachers mi ht want to foc"s on socia$ iss"es with wider themes# s"ch as(

povert) vs. wea$th racism / a eism / sexism crime menta$ hea$th and i$$ness teena e pre nanc)
19

EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

divorce the effects of war the effects of mass media messa es/perspectives the extent of the portra)a$ of vio$ence in societ) and its effects the treatment of anima$s

Plot structure 3$ot str"ct"re is the term we "se to refer to what action takes p$ace in the stor) which hooks and keeps the a"dience interested. :an) stories we see as drama on &F# read or $isten as p$a)s fo$$ow fami$iar str"ct"res. &he most common and easi$) accessi%$e p$ot str"ct"re is .re)ta ,s# which when written as a dia ram# is $ike an "pside down ?F,. In the simp$est terms# it contains some or a$$ of the fo$$owin se!"ence( settin and context an event that starts the action ;ca$$ed ?dramatic hook, or ?comp$icatin action,< p"rs"it of action# deve$opment of character ;see processes a%ove< crisis reso$"tion

Creating Dialogue Dia$o "e has fo"r ke) f"nctions. It creates the context of the p$a)9 esta%$ishes and maintains the theme9 revea$s and shows deve$opment in character# and is "sed to advance the component parts of p$ot. 2e) "ide$ines to %ear in mind when he$pin st"dents to write dia$o "e are( the motivation and aims of the characters ;%ased on processes - see a%ove< the re$ationships that are formed and deve$oped the conf$icts and str" $es that are created and reso$ved the re$ationship with the a"dience ;%"i$ds L maintains or %reaks the fo"rth wa$$< &o achieve this re$ationship to %est effect# the fo$$owin techni!"es can %e "sed( Esta%$ish and find s)non)ms for important words and themes and make them appear in the dia$o "e of different characters# for examp$e# one character ma) refer to his randmother with a ne ative word# and another with a positive word# %"t the character of the randmother is present and maintained %etween them. 1imp$if) speeches %) restrictin each speech to one ke) idea Deve$op ideas %) "sin more than one character# e. .# "se the main character ;the prota onist< and his opponent ;the anta onist<# or the main character and a s"pport character with different %"t not opposin traits ;a foi$<. &here is a traditiona$ r"$e of three in drama writin . &his is interpreted in different wa)s# %"t can %e "sed as a r"$e to state and re/state
20 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

important information in the p$a). .or examp$e# a character ma) %e warned in three different wa)s not to p"rs"e a co"rse of action. .or the p"rposes of emphasis# when statin names# p"t them at the %e innin or the end of the $ine. 'hen introd"cin new information# especia$$) references to ke) events or o%*ects in a p$a)# p$ace it at the end of $ine. Ens"re that the $ast $ine %efore a character $eaves the sta e in each scene ;the exit $ine< is memora%$e. 'a)s to do this are to ;a< s"mmarise an overa$$ fee$in a%o"t what has happened in the scene9 ;%< make a hint a%o"t what is to happen in the forthcomin scene9 ;c< make reference to someone,s response to events.

Blocking B$ockin is the word we ive to the sta e directions9 where the actors m"st stand/sit9 which direction the) sho"$d face9 how the) sho"$d move across the sta e or set. B$ockin is an important consideration as the a"dience needs to maintain its si ht of events and action. 'e refer to the a"dience,s ?si ht$ines,. B$ockin is a feat"re of the p$a) that is worked o"t in performance# %"t script writin sho"$d a$wa)s inc$"de reference to the sta e set# and ive some idea of where the actors enter and exit.

Kp sta e ri ht ;KD< 1ta e ri ht ;D< Down sta e ri ht ;DD<

Kp sta e centre ;K4< 4entre sta e ;4< Down sta e centre ;D4<

Kp sta e $eft ;K0< 1ta e $eft ;0< Down sta e $eft ;D0<

+KDIEJ4E
)igure 1!% Stage areas an shorthan names

Play script conventions &he fo$$owin contains a %asic description of the or anisation and writin conventions "sed in p$a) scripts. +s an examp$e# we wi$$ take the stor) we worked with in the workshop# ?&he 1"% and the 0ift,. 1 +cts and scenes ?&he 1"% and the 0ift, divides %est into a one/act p$a) divided into three scenes. &he act dea$s with an event that happened to a teacher9 and each scene fo$$ows the p$ot str"ct"re we disc"ssed in section c a%ove. 1cene 1 1ets the scene ;in the hairdresser# havin hairc"t< 4omp$icatin action/narrative hook ;ca$$ to s"%stit"te a c$ass<
21 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1cene 2 1cene 5

B"i$d "p of action ;r"shin o"t of hairdresser,s/awf"$ sandwich< 4risis and reso$"tion ;arrivin at the schoo$# ettin st"ck in the $ift# %ein resc"ed %) the fire %ri ade<

In this wa)# each scene takes a part of the p$ot str"ct"re and deve$ops and conve)s it in the fo$$owin wa)s( thro" thro" thro" thro" thro" h "se of space and vis"a$ ima e h action h s)m%o$ and props h $i htin # ;co$o"rs# darkness< and so"nds ;m"sic# so"nd effects< h dia$o "e

&he convention is to write +ct 1# 1cene 19 +ct 1# 1cene 2# and so on. 2 1ettin # %ack ro"nd Each scene starts with a short# perhaps 5/$ine# description of the settin of the scene. It mi ht a$so ive a $itt$e %ack ro"nd to the scene. &his is especia$$) important if the p$a) incorporates the "se of ;a< f$ash%acks to an ear$ier time in the histor) of the characters ;not the main foc"s of the p$a)# %"t perhaps the reason $eadin to some action<# or ;%< cross/c"ttin # which is when the foc"s of a p$a) moves to a ver) different scene ;this is a techni!"e common$) "sed in fi$m9 first we see what character + is doin 9 then we see what character B is doin at the same moment<. Back ro"nd mi ht a$so %e important if a dramatic incident has not %een inc$"ded in the p$a). 5 1ettin tone# dia$o "e conventions and props 1t"dents can f"rther enhance their scripts %) addin in detai$s a%o"t how the character is fee$in or how s/he wi$$ approach the scene. .or st"dents $earnin En $ish# the most accessi%$e wa) to do this is to "se adver%s. 2ate( ;h"rried$)< Cenr)( ;ca$m$)< I,m so $ad to see )o". 'e tho" ht )o" ot trapped on the :&D or somethin # %"t here )o" are@

/ote that the na!e of the character appears followed #y a colon (0), then the description of the e!otions/approach of the character and finally the line of dialogue% .ina$$)# there needs to %e c$ear reference made to props "sed on sta e. &hese need to %e inc$"ded in a$$ rehearsa$s so that the actors can et "sed to %rin in them on sta e at the ri ht time and ho$din and "sin them for effect.

22 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

6 +ddin in so"nd and $i htin c"es to create atmosphere &his ma) come at a m"ch $ater sta e in the script/writin process# %"t st"dents wi$$ a$most certain$) want the advent"re of addin some of the fo$$owin to he$p create atmosphere( $i htin # "se of darkness# "se of co$o"rs# "se of shadow# spot$i hts so"nd in the form of so"nd effects ;e. .# footsteps# a $ass smashin < m"sic

:ake s"re that st"dents add $i htin and so"nd c"es into the script so that actors are aware of the effects that accompan) and a" ment the action. +s we$$ as p$acin the c"es in the script# there sho"$d %e a separate c"e sheet for st"dents who are responsi%$e for makin s"re the effect takes p$ace at the ri ht time. Cere is an examp$e( 4"e +ct 1# 1cene 1 2ate( >h# that m"st %e m) phone. 0i htin effect

1cene oes dark# spot$i ht on 2ate as she takes the ca$$. 2ate( >ka)# then. I,$$ do m) %est to .$ood$i ht/norma$ $i ht res"mes. not et st"ck in the traffic. B)e.
)igure 1=% Sample lighting cue sheet

&here wo"$d %e a simi$ar sheet for ?1o"nd effects, and c"es. Sound e ects Cere,s a $ist of common$)/"sed so"nd effects. 1ometimes the so"nd effect is "sed to show the res"$t of an action# sometimes it is "sed to show the inner state and fee$in s of a person. Examp$es are iven.
Soun effect 1o"nd of app$a"se E(ternal action &o show a crowd c$appin 4nternal state &o show that a character fee$s that s/he has done we$$ and the wor$d approves. &o show that someone has made a mistake &o show that someone is expectin somethin ;%ad< to happen - comic &o show some examp$e of comm"nication that has taken p$ace or needs to take p$ace &o show a character is panickin a%o"t somethin &o show that a sit"ation or character %rin s tro"%$e with them
25 EDB 2008 / 2009

+ $ass %reakin .ootsteps on rave$ ;cr"nch) noise< 3hone rin in

&o show a minor accident &o show that someone is comin ;same<

+$arm %e$$ + th"nder storm or stron wind

.or an emer enc) &o show weather conditions o"tside

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1omeone h"mmin a t"ne

;same<

&o create an atmosphere of happiness and sense of %ein carefree

)igure 1>% Common soun effects an 'hat the* can represent

26 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1.=.! Activit* Ban+% Theatre Conventions O"st as in En $ish c$asses we "se activit) t)pes s"ch as ap/fi$$s or sentence comp$etion# in Drama there are man) esta%$ished activities# which are known as conventions. In this section we $ist some of the most wide$) "sed drama conventions# in the order that )o" ma) do them in c$ass. &hese sho"$d %e inte rated into a $esson str"ct"re simi$ar to demonstration $esson 1.

27 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

1ti$$ Ima e / a$so a component of ?freeEe/framin , 'orkin definition ;a< + st"dent# or st"dents in ro"ps form the static ima e of a scene

;%< 4an %e "sed as a means of foc"sin the a"dience on a moment in the drama when the performers ?freeEe, in position whi$e action either contin"es on a different part of the sta e ;ca$$ed ?sp$it sta in ,<# or one character contin"es actin /movin in the spot$i ht ;ca$$ed ?spot$i htin ,< whi$e the others freeEe aro"nd him/her.
1tim"$"s Fis"a$( paintin # photo# advert +"ra$( m"sic# so"nd effects Fer%a$/written( poem# stor)# advert# report# head$ine# a named fee$in :ost often sma$$ ro"ps +fter "sin steps to access the meanin of the stim"$"s# $earners ph)sica$$) form a rep$ica of it# %"t ma) a$so chan e one part or interpret it different$). >ther mem%ers can ?sc"$pt, the sti$$ ima e participants into the ri ht form. 1 Aro"p d)namics( co/operation# !"ietenin # concentration 2 Improvisation( the first ?enterin in, to a mood# idea# concept9 the first co$$a%orative piece9 it can %e the startin or end point of a scene

Aro"pin 3roced"re

Ksed for

5 0ive performance( can he$p the a"dience "nderstand the ke) moments in a scene and hei hten tension. Ksed with effective ;spot< $i htin and the "se of so"nd or m"sic# it can reat$) enhance a piece. It can %e "sed at the %e innin ;to create foc"s<# in the midd$e ;to mark a moment for attention<# or at the end ;to ive the a"dience time to assimi$ate what the) have *"st witnessed<.
3ro%$ems C"man It can $ead to ?corpsin , ;one meanin of this is that st"dents start to i $e as the) rea$ise that the) ma) $ook si$$)<. &echnica$ It,s important the a"dience,s si ht$ines are considered when freeEe/framin . 4an each character %e seenB +re st"dents "sin the three %asic horiEonta$ $eve$s ;near the f$oor9 cro"chin 9 standin ta$$<B

2= EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

&ho" ht/trackin 'orkin definition Ksin freeEe/framin or sti$$ ima e# the teacher taps a character on a sho"$der and asks her/him to ive =0 seconds of tho" ht from that character,s perspective. &his can %e repeated with other characters. 1tim"$"s Aro"pin 3roced"re &he stim"$"s comes from the importance of the moment in the drama to each character. Done whi$e in sma$$ ro"ps &he freeEe/framin or sti$$ ima e sho"$d %e we$$ esta%$ished %efore oin into tho" ht/trackin %) tappin someone on the sho"$der. &here sho"$d a$so %e an a"dience to hear what the character sa)s so that s/he fee$s that s/he,s speakin a$o"d for a reason# and not simp$) for the teacher. 1 +ccessin a character,s interior tho" hts# emotions# responses# motivations

Ksed for

2 Ksef"$ when different characters ma) %e experiencin different reactions to the co"rse of events# e. .# if someone wins a priEe# character + ma) %e de$i hted# character B ma) %e disappointed# 4 ma) %e pro"d# and D ma) %e *ea$o"s. &his wi$$ %e in response to the dramatic moment of the priEe/ winnin .
5 ;&E.0< Ksef"$ to enco"ra e spontaneo"s speakin # f$"enc) and confidence/%"i$din

6 4o"$d %e "sed in a $ive performance accompanied %) specific co$o"red spot$i hts for effect# e. .# 4haracter 4 speaks pro"d$) and is $it %) a %ri ht white $i ht# 4haracter D has *ea$o"s words and is $it %) a movin reen $i ht.
+daptations +n adaptation for in/c$ass improvisation is to freeEe the character %ein foc"sed on# and have the peop$e aro"nd him/her sa) the character,s tho" hts for him/her. .or examp$e# 4haracter + wins the priEe# and characters aro"nd him revea$ different aspects of his tho" hts and fee$in s thro" h speakin whi$e 4haracter + sta)s froEen and !"iet. Ce$ps others to %"i$d "p an "nderstandin of the interior of a character. &his techni!"e is ca$$ed# ?his tho" hts# her tho" hts, %) Brian :cA"ire.

2G EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

'ritin in Do$e 'orkin definition 1t"dents are iven the opport"nit) to write somethin whi$st in character and therefore express themse$ves in writin from this perspective. 1tim"$"s Aro"pin 3roced"re &his can take p$ace after some improvisation work has taken p$ace with sti$$ ima e# freeEe/framin # or ro$e/p$a). &his is an individ"a$ activit).

+fter havin had some time to %e in ro$e# and perhaps after experiencin an event or an exchan e with another character# st"dents are iven a choice of written tasks# e. .# to write a postcard# a diar) entr)# a $etter# an e/mai$# a text messa e# to "pdate a %$o # to write on ?parchment,# to raffiti on a prepared wa$$. If takin part in a thri$$er or histor)# st"dents ma) wish to reco"nt what the) witnessed in a po$ice report or for a historian,s doc"ment.
1 &o deve$op the fee$in s and tho" hts of a character 2 &o he$p a st"dent ;a< "nderstand and ;%< create the perspective a character has towards a set of events or towards another character 5 ;&E.0< &o create a %a$ance %etween the ora$ ski$$s "sin in ro$e/ p$a) and written ski$$s. Ens"re that st"dents have a c$ear mode$ of the format the) mi ht %e "sin .

Ksed for

6 +dd the writin to the portfo$io %"i$d/"p for that character# e. .# it co"$d accompan) ro$e/on/the/wa$$ dia rams.
3ro%$ems 1 1t"dents ma) draw a %$ank so it is important that the writin is in response to somethin that has %een experienced or witnessed. 2 ;&E.0< 1ome s"pport with ke) words and spe$$in wi$$ %e needed. 2eep the writin short at first and enco"ra e st"dents to add to it.

28 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Do$e/on/the/'a$$ 'orkin definition + wa) to exp$ore a character creative$) 1tim"$"s Aro"pin + character from a p$a) or sti$$ ima e s"ch as a paintin 1ma$$ ro"ps enco"ra e co$$a%orative thinkin 9 individ"a$ work can promote concentration and depth. +n o"t$ine of a character is created on a piece of paper. &his can either %e $ife/siEe# or sma$$ so that it can fit into a fo$der. If it is $ar e# it a$$ows access to man)# and can %e a foca$ point for the ro"p faci$itatin co$$a%orative ro"p work and opport"nities to deve$op each other,s ideas. 1t"dents think a%o"t the character and start to write thin s the) know a%o"t him/her o"tside the o"t$ine of the %od) s"ch as his/her mannerisms# appearance# est"res. &he) ma) a$so consider the forces that other characters exert on him ph)sica$$)# emotiona$$) or menta$$). 1t"dents then think a%o"t the character,s inner states possi%$) in response to others# motivations# emotions# needs and wants. >ften# the inner states can on$) %e worked on as the improvisation pro resses so it is "sef"$ to start a session with the ro$e on the wa$$# keep it "p on the wa$$# and add to it over a n"m%er of sessions as st"dents, appreciation and "nderstandin of the character deve$ops and deepens. >ne adaptation is to have three +6 siEe ro$e/on/the/wa$$ temp$ates for st"dents and ive them a few min"tes in an ear$) session# a mid/wa) session and a $ater session to show the additions the) made to the ro$e and wh)# ref$ectin the experience that tri ered it. 1 Deve$opin a character - especia$$) if "sed over a few sessions 2 4an show c$ear the press"re one character exerts on another 5 Ce$ps st"dents $ink inner states to o"ter est"res and actions 6 ;&E.0< 3repare to demonstrate and expose st"dents to $exica$ items to descri%e dress# post"re# e)e/hair co$o"r# and characteristics. Demem%er to show $an "a e that co$$ocates# ;keeps his eyes lowered<# and word stress# ;"n2E:3&<. 1 4an $ead to stereot)pin and sha$$ow# exterior characters if "sed once on$) and not deve$oped over time 2 If the st"dents don,t consider the re$ationships %etween characters in a piece# the ro$e wi$$ remain %asic and "ndeve$oped 5 Ens"re that )o" have s"fficient materia$s ;paper# co$o"red markers< for ever)one to contri%"te to avoid one person,s view dominatin .

3roced"re

Ksed for(

3ro%$ems

29 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Cotseatin 'orkin definition + character is interviewed in depth %) a ro"p 1tim"$"s Aro"pin >ne character sits in the hotseat whi$e other sit aro"nd him/her read) to interview. &his is enera$$) not done in character %) the rest of the ro"p# who are themse$ves. 4hoose a character which needs deve$opin . 3$ace her/him in the hotseat and ive some preparation to the others to deve$op !"estions a%o"t the character,s ro$e and his/her re$ations to other characters inc$"din (/ 'h) did )o" do IB 'ho,s c$osest to )o"B 'ho do )o" dis$ike and wh)B Cow did )o" fee$ whenB Cow does it fee$ when s/he doesIB 'h) are )o" tired/happ)/nois) a$$ the timeB If I ave )o" P1#000# what wo"$d )o" do with itB Cave )o" ever done ;somethin %ad/advent"ro"s/kind<B Cow do )o" eat nood$esB ;mime< Ksed for &his techni!"e is "sed in improvisation to he$p a st"dent deve$op his/her "nderstandin and connection with his/her character. &he speed with which the !"estions are asked can sometimes he$p a st"dent move into character more deep$). It a$so he$ps other characters "nderstand the hotseatin character. 4orpsin and sta e fri ht - it ma) %e too m"ch for the st"dent. If )o" sense anxiet)# a ree to $imit the !"estions to 2/5 and check %efore oin on. 0ack of empath) with the character. In this case# )o" mi ht want to resort to a !"ick session of pair/work where ever) other st"dent takes on character + and is interviewed %) another st"dent on 1/5 ke) !"estions and take the most perceptive answers.

3roced"re

3ro%$ems

50 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

&ho" ht &"nne$ 'orkin definition + means of he$pin st"dents to artic"$ate the tho" hts of a character especia$$) when s/he faces a di$emma in the ro$e/p$a) or improvisation 1tim"$"s Aro"pin 3roced"re + character,s di$emma or pro%$em 'ho$e c$ass ro"p of 20 1t"dents are divided into two e!"a$ $ines facin each other and *oin hands to form a %rid e. &he character foc"sed on s$ow$) and de$i%erate$) wa$ks down the h"man t"nne$. +s s/he passes# each st"dent makes a statement a%o"t ;a< what s/he is thinkin 9 ;%< what s/he needs to consider9 ;c< action and decisions that need to %e made in response to a di$emma or pro%$em that the character has. &o deve$op a character and hi h$i ht considerations that need to %e taken into acco"nt. Dependin on the c$ass profi$e# this activit) ma) need to %e r"n with fewer participants to ens"re st"dents sta) on/task.

Ksed for 3ro%$ems

51 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Aood +n e$ / Bad +n e$ 'orkin definition + means of he$pin st"dents consider two sides of a pro%$em the character is dea$in with 1tim"$"s + character,s di$emma or pro%$em enco"ntered in improvisation Aro"pin Aro"ps of 5 with one main character %ein foc"sed on 3roced"re 1t"dents enco"nter or decide on a pro%$em one character has# for examp$e# whether to $ie or not. >n one side stands the ? ood an e$, - the voice of reason# mora$it) and oodness9 and on the other side stands the ?%ad an e$, - the one who has no mora$ code# tries to take advanta e of an) sit"ation for short/term materia$ or stat"s ains# and wi$$ "se an) means to advance him/herse$f. &he centra$ character asks a !"estion# e # ?1ho"$d I $ie to m) father ;a%o"t somethin that has taken p$ace<B, &he ood an e$ sho"$d come "p with reasons and wa)s of avoidin $)in 9 the %ad an e$ wo"$d come "p with reasons for $)in and of ainin advanta e thro" h the process. &E.0 teachers ma) want to "se this as an opport"nit) to feed in $an "a e forms for h)pothesiEin # s" estin # or for the %ad an e$# wa)s of maskin the immora$it) of what s/he,s s" estin (/ If )o" $ie# )o",re $ike$) toI 'h) don,t )o"IB 8o" co"$d a$wa)sI Cave )o" ever tho" ht a%o"t IB 'o"$d it %e s"ch a %i dea$ if )o"IB It,s on$) the once# and he wo"$dn,t even noticeI 'hat )o" don,t know can,t h"rt )o". Ksed for &o he$p a character consider co"rses of action# and decide how to mo"$d the character. 3ro%$ems 4an $ead to s"perficia$ or inf$ated s" estions. Aive st"dents time to think# or %rainstorm %efore the) tr) this o"t. +$ternative$)# $et them tr) it o"t twice in different ro"ps so the) can refine some of their s" estions.

52 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

.ixin 1pace 'orkin definition &he wa) in which actors mark o"t the area the) are to work within either for improvisation or ro$e/p$a). :ateria$s Aro"pin 3roced"re 1t"dent ma) do this with avai$a%$e materia$s s"ch as ta%$es and chairs# shoes# or even cha$k on the f$oor. In improvisation or ro$e/p$a) ro"ps. 1t"dents divide the space the) have avai$a%$e for ro$e/p$a)# and proceed to choose their wa) of markin o"t their performance space. It ma) inc$"de decidin where rooms or parts of a street/vi$$a e are. &he most practica$ "se of this is to he$p esta%$ish re$ative movement of one character to another# $ines of si ht and direction of si ht to different parts of the $andscape of the p$a)# and c$ear si ht $ines for the a"dience. 1t"dents ma) find it diffic"$t to concept"a$ise what the a"dience sees# therefore# it is important to ive c$ass time to workin in the area to %e performed so that st"dents can work thro" h the wa) the) $ook# the wa) the) move their arms in partic"$ar ;so as not to %$ock their face# or to %$ock others< and how to "se the space to %est effect.

Ksed for

3ro%$ems

55 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

.acin >"t 'orkin definition + means of maximisin the p$a) space. 3roced"re If a sta e is not avai$a%$e# st"dents ma) make "se of this techni!"e to show that characters are not c"rrent$) actin in a scene. Cere# certain characters take the active part of the scene actin in front of the a"dience# and the rest of the characters stand with their %acks to the a"dience f"rthest awa) from the a"dience and not performin . .or practica$ p"rposes# this minimises the on/ and off/sta e traffic. .or the p"rposes of drama# it shows that even tho" h certain characters are not foc"sed on in terms of the action# the) are sti$$ present in the %ack ro"nd# and perhaps exertin force on the action. 1t"dents can ho$d a freeEe/frame to s)m%o$ise an aspect of their character whi$e facin /o"t and creative "se of $eve$s ;$ow# mid and hi h< can a$so %e "sed.

Ksed for

56 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

4oncentric 4irc$es 'orkin definition + means %) which characters can express and work o"t their c$oseness or distance from other characters in a ro$e/p$a). 1tim"$"s Aro"pin 3roced"re 1t"dents wi$$ a$read) have read or desi ned a ro$e/p$a) to work with which invo$ves re$ationships %etween characters. &he n"m%er invo$ved in the ro$e/p$a)# %"t this can %e red"ced to foc"s on the centra$ characters. >nce some warmer activities and a $itt$e work on the ro$e/p$a) has %een done# show st"dents a dia ram of the re$ationship distances %etween someone ;co"$d %e )o"rse$f< and other peop$e drawn ro" h$) a$on the $ines of concentric circ$es with each circ$e o"t representin a person who is $ess c$ose to the centra$ character. 2eep the n"m%er to six or $ess in tota$. &a$k thro" h the re$ationship map with reference to wh) someone is where the) are p$aced. &his ma) invo$ve reference to an incident that took p$ace %etween the characters which meant the) are now c$oser or more distant. >nce this mode$ has %een done# ask st"dents to form a standin h"man map with the character %ein foc"sed on in the midd$e# and other characters standin c$oser or more distant dependin on their re$ationship. If this works# take it one step f"rther# and have st"dents do two maps( one BE.>DE a dramatic event in the ro$e/p$a)# and one +.&ED in order for st"dents to think thro" h and show the impact the decisions# events and emotions have on h"man re$ationships. >ne techni!"e that can %e "sed is to have a character that has %een distanced face the opposite direction from the centra$ character to show $ack of connection. Knderstandin and showin re$ationships %etween characters at different points in the p$a). 'itho"t a ood mode$ and reasons %ein iven# it ma) %e diffic"$t for some st"dents to concept"a$ise this. 8o" co"$d start off with a map of the characters in a we$$/known fair) ta$e# or a star that st"dents know a $ot a%o"t and e$icit c$oseness and distance in re$ationships. &he difference %etween ph)sica$ c$oseness ;ie# +da $ives with her mother< and emotiona$ c$oseness ;ie# +da dis$ikes her mother< needs to %e made c$ear for the p"rposes of dramatic conf$ict.

Ksed for 3ro%$ems

57 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

:arkin the :oment 'orkin definition + wa) to make a moment in a p$a) si nificant %) actin # mime# "se of est"re# words# $i hts or so"nds. 1tim"$"s 1t"dents wi$$ a$read) %e fami$iar with a ro$e/p$a) and have chosen a si nificant moment when# for examp$e# a choice has %een made that $eads to a se!"ence of events. +s the ro$e/p$a) ro"p. Decide on a sma$$ n"m%er of si nificant moments in the ro$e/ p$a) and ive st"dents options for ?markin , them. &his co"$d %e thro" h the "se of(/ .reeEe/framin 1$ow motion 4o$o"red spot$i ht 1o"nd effects9 m"sic + vis"a$ s)m%o$ or prop + ke) phrase + $ook at the a"dience Cave st"dents tr) o"t 2/5 different techni!"es and decide on one or a com%ination of# e # s$ow motion Q red $i ht. Ksed for Ci h$i htin to the a"dience that a moment is si nificant and wi$$ have an impact on the co"rse of the rest of the drama and the characters invo$ved. 1t"dents ma) over$oad their moment with effects. +$ternative$)# the) ma) create the wron effect# makin a tra ic moment $ook f"nn) "nintentiona$$). :ake s"re that feed%ack from other ro"ps is an a reed part of the proced"re to et some perspective.

Aro"pin 3roced"re

3ro%$ems

5= EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

&heme Bank &his %ank contains a $ist of themes )o" mi ht consider and work with d"rin improvisation# and examp$es of stim"$i to start the st"dents workin . .riendship &wo schoo$mates invite a third p"pi$ to participate in a pro*ect or ame. &he third person is sh) and awkward# and event"a$$) re$axes. + teacher acc"ses a 2e$vin of p$a iariEin . ."n defends 2e$vin in an "nexpected wa). + ro"p of st"dents tr) to pers"ade two others to smoke. >ne does# the other doesn,t - wh)B :in is sick %"t won,t o to the doctor. 1choo$ friends tr) to work o"t wh)# and fina$$) convince her to o. +n e$ is $)in a%o"t where she oes after schoo$. 1he,s ettin thin and has dark circ$es "nder her e)es. 1choo$ friends fo$$ow her one evenin # find o"t wh) and confront her. +$ex has %een %"$$ied after schoo$ for months. Cis work is startin to deteriorate and his rades are ettin $ower. +$ex tries to reso$ve the sit"ation. 'ho does he ta$k toB 'hat does he doB 3ip is a non/4hinese ir$ in a Con 2on 4hinese schoo$. &he st"dents have not %een we$comin %eca"se the) %e$ieve she is different from them. 'ork o"t one moment showin acceptance of the character %) the ro"p. Aood +n e$/Bad +n e$ techni!"e. 8o",ve earned G00C2D from doin some work for a $oca$ shop. 8o"r %rother needs the mone) to %") somethin for his comp"ter. 8o" want to %") a pair of shoes. 'hat sho"$d )o" do and wh)B 8o" spi$$ a can of 4oke over a hand/written piece of homework on )o"r desk. 8o" don,t know who it %e$on s to %"t )o" need to make amends %efore the person arrives. 4e$ia cheated d"rin her $ast En $ish exam. 1he is now startin to wake "p in the midd$e of the ni ht with ni htmares. 1he ta$ks to her friend a%o"t it. &wo st"dents from )o"r schoo$ have the same date of %irth# %"t ver) different %irthda) experiences( one is rich# one poor. 'hat happens to each one# and how are the characters shaped and formed as a res"$tB &wo schoo$mates. >ne has a co" h and co$d and ta$ks to the hea$th) one. B) the end of the conversation# the first character has recovered and the second character has ca" ht the co$d. 'hat is the conversation a%o"t and does it mirror the transfer of the co$dB

0o)a$t) 3eer press"re 1t"%%ornness Dishonest)

Deso$vin %"$$)in

Deso$vin racism

2indness

4are$essness

4heatin

'ea$th L povert)

Cea$th L disease

5G EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

! "valuation and assessment


1t"dents need to ;a< ref$ect on their own $earnin and experience9 ;%< ref$ect on other,s work and $earn from it9 and ;c< et feed%ack from the teacher which wi$$ he$p shape and deve$op foc"s and awareness. &his can %e achieved thro" h ;a< ?hot/sheets, - immediate tho" hts# ref$ections and ideas that the st"dents have after havin experienced a techni!"e9 ;%< recordin devices for ref$ection ;a di ita$ voice recorder# or video recorder can %e "sed to watch how the ro"p has achieved a oa$< and itemised ref$ection sheets can %e "sed to "ide noticin 9 ;c< a teacher can $ist competences and %ehavio"r that s/he is oin to comment on d"rin the session whi$st workin with the ro"ps# s"ch as co$$a%oration9 "se of voice# pitch9 workin in En $ish9 "se of $eve$s9 "se of est"re9 "se of $i ht/so"nd9 "se of si$ence and pa"sin . 1t"dents can record their tho" hts# work# research and feed%ack in an on/ oin $o %ook and portfo$io. Log$oo+s an Portfolios &he $o %ook can %e a simp$e note%ook# %"t sho"$d contain ;a< p$ans for work and experimentation# ;%< techni!"es# ;c< sta e directions# ;d< ref$ections on the "se of techni!"es and sta e directions on a re "$ar %asis. &ime can %e set aside in c$ass# or it can %e set for homework. &his is an on/ oin record of the st"dent,s experiences and "ses of different techni!"es. &he portfo$io can %e a $ever/arch fo$der with dividers. 'e recommend the fo$$owin sections for notes. ;a< ;%< ;c< ;d< ;d< ;e< ;f< ; < Improvisation and ro$e/p$a) techni!"es 3ractica$ $i htin and so"nd ideas 1ta e directions and props 4ost"me ideas# ;fa%rics# co$o"rs< Def$ections and $earnin points Drama watched or seen and ref$ections Dehearsa$ 3$anner 3erformance doc"ments ;1o"nd/$i ht c"e sheet# props c"e sheet# %$ockin p$ans

58 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Sel #assessment activities or role#on#the#$all and thought tunnel @$&ectives +< 'hat have )o" $earnt a%o"t the ro$e/on/the/wa$$ conventionB 4irc$e the appropriate options. Do$e/on/the/wa$$ is to he$pI deve$op p$ot &ho" ht/t"nne$ is to he$pI a character to speak more c$ear$) %) prono"ncin his/her words deve$op a character %) thinkin a%o"t his/her ro$e a character to "nderstand different parts of a pro%$em and make a decision deve$op character deve$op ima es

Language B< Deview the voca%"$ar) )o" wrote in )o"r ro$e/on/the/wa$$. 4omp$ete the ta%$e %) or anisin the voca%"$ar) into cate ories 3h)sica$ appearance 4haracter >ther

Achievement 4< Date )o"r ro$e/on/the/wa$$ character. Cow satisfied are )o"B 4hoose one. Hot ver* happ* #easona$l* happ* 1er* happ* Elate

'h) did )o" ive )o"r ro$e/on/the/wa$$ character this ratin B Beca"se ...

Date )o"r tho" ht/t"nne$ activit). Cow satisfied are )o"B :ark M on the $ine E(cellent 'or+ Average 'or+

59 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Sel #assessment activities or good angel % &ad angel 1 'hat,s the minim"m n"m%er of peop$e invo$ved in a Aood +n e$/Bad +n e$ activit)B ;a< 2 7 ;%< 6 ;c< 2 ;d< 5

'h) do we "se Aood +n e$/Bad +n e$B "ircle one% ;a< to deve$op a scene ;%< to create a character ;c< to write dia$o "e for more than one character ;d< to exp$ore two options for action ;e< to make *"d ements a%o"t the character ;f< to practise speakin

&hink a%o"t the Aood +n e$. 'hat is her/his ro$eB 4irc$e )o"r ideas.

&o pers"ade a character &o ive him reasons for &o ta$k to and ar "e with to do somethin %e$ievin the sit"ation the Bad +n e$ can have a positive endin

&o $ist positive and ne ative ideas connected with a sit"ation 6 ;a< ;%< ;c< ;d< ;e<

&o make the character happ)

&o $isten to the character

&hink a%o"t the Bad +n e$. 4ross o"t the thin s that s/he does not do. 0ists ideas a%o"t happ) so$"tions. &ries to he$p the character so$ve a pro%$em. .oc"ses on actions that are se$fish or ca"se tro"%$e. 1" ests actions that wi$$ shock other characters. 0istens to the Aood +n e$ and the character.

60 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

&hink a%o"t the t)pe of $an "a e )o" "sed in the Aood +n e$/Bad +n e$ activit). 4omp$ete the appropriate section with $an "a e )o" "sed toda)

Suggesting 0 Persua ing

Biving an opinion

0an "a e "sed

Challenging an opinion

61 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Peer#assessment activities or plotting and scripting +< 4an )o"r partner to remem%er the different p$ot t)pes and what the meanB The , plot The Episo ic plot The Hero5s ?ourne*

The /ountain plot

Cow man) p$ot t)pes did )o"r partner exp$ain correct$)B

+$$ 6

B<

&est )o"r partner. Dead the sentences and )o"r partner "esses the correct p$ot t)pe. &ick the ones the) ot ri ht

a< 'hen someone is ca$$ed to advent"re %< Ksed a $ot in soap operas and Co$$)wood fi$ms c< + series of increasin dramatic events and comp$ications d< + series of events which ma) not %e connected to one other e< :ore $ike rea$ $ife ;f< + wa) of testin mora$ character and the deve$opment of stren th ; < &his p$ot deve$ops dramatic tension
Answer 1ey ;a< 'hen someone is ca$$ed to advent"re. The Hero5s ?ourne* ;%< Ksed a $ot in soap operas and Co$$)wood fi$ms. The 2,5 plot ;c< + series of increasin dramatic events and comp$ications. The /ountain plot ;d< + series of events which ma) not %e connected to one other. The Episo ic plot ;e< :ore $ike rea$ $ife. The Episo ic plot ;f< + wa) of testin mora$ character and the deve$opment of stren th. The Hero5s ?ourne* ; < &his p$ot deve$ops dramatic tension. The /ountain plot

62 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

' (esources
&his section contains a $ist of "sef"$ and practica$ reso"rces which come from two main so"rces( p"%$ished %ooks and the internet. &he materia$s are or anised accordin to when in the co"rse )o" are $ike$) to need them. 1ome of the so"rces wi$$ need to %e adapted to make s"re the) are appropriate for the needs of )o"r st"dents. EDB #esources Aenera$ Drama Deso"rce 3a e http(//www.ed%. ov.hk/index.aspxBnodeIDR2G72L$an noR1 :ain index pa e for +00 EDB doc"mentation( c"rric"$"m "ides# schemes of work# teachin reso"rces# etc. http(//www.ed%. ov.hk/index.aspxBnodeIDR2GG5L$an noR1 Deso"rces in s"pport of the 1chemes of 'ork http(//www.ed%. ov.hk/index.aspxB$an noR1LnodeIDR2G=9 4amenE"$i# Domm 23 4i!ple 5ra!a ,a!es B"shfire 3ress ;1988<

Practical and simple short activities to use at all stages o a drama session) "ach activity is less than *+ $ords long)

:cA"ire# Brian 4tudent and#ook for 5ra!a 3earson

;2005<

A main source o practical dramatic conventions and techni,ues put in simple and accessi&le language)

:cA"ire# Brian (echnical "o!panion to 5ra!a 3earson ;2000<


Covers some o the same areas as the -.and&ook/ &ut also includes clear0 practical e1planations on lighting and sound techni,ues)

Jee$ands# O. L Aoode &. 4tructuring 5ra!a Work

4K3

;2000<

A detailed and e1tensive coverage o dramatic conventions0 and invalua&le resource or the T"2L 3 drama teacher)

:a$e)# +. L D"ff +. 5ra!a (echniques in 6anguage 6earning 4K3 ;1982<


This is the classic techni,ues &ook or trans erring drama to the T"2L classroom and contains many practical lesson recipes)

:ok# + (ask7#ased 6earning, 6anguage Arts and the 8edia% A *esource 9ook for 4econdary :nglish (eachers IJ1&E3# .ac"$t) of Ed"cation# C2K ;2001<
A .ong 4ong speci ic &ook) Chapter three in this &ook is -Drama 5 A Tool or 6ntegrating Language Skills/ &y 7ackie Wheeler) 2ull o practical ideas $hich sho$ the language and learning areas that can &e $orked on through drama activities)

'esse$s# 4.

5ra!a

>K3

;198G<

8riginal ideas and lesson recipes going rom one#o activities to ull classroom per ormances) 65 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

Jew%rook# J. ;1998<

:xtracts & :nglish fiction for advanced students

1cho$astic

Jew%rook# J. with Jew%rook O. (i!esaver ;hotocopia#le :xtracts . & :nglish fiction for upper inter!ediate and advanced students (with "5) 1cho$astic ;2005<
Both good sources o photocopia&le literature) Teachers $ill $ant to select appropriate theme and content rom e1cerpts availa&le)

Je$son,s 1"per1cript series# 4onnections and 1t"dio 1cripts - which provide p$a)scripts for )o"n ad"$ts and a ran e in n"m%er of speakin and non/ speakin ro$es. www.ne$sonthornes.com ?+, $eve$ Drama A$ossar)
www.kenta)$or.co."k/die/materia$s/docs/$essons/)r12/e monton1/aNlevelNglossar*.pdf /

Basic drama methods http(//www.artsonthemove.co."k/reso"rces/ amesmethods/methods.htm$ http(//www.*s!"ared.co."k/to%ias/tech.htm http(//www.pem%schoo$.or ."k/$earnin /htm$/0=hotsN1.C&: Drama 0esson 3$ans http(//www.kenta)$or.co."k/die/
1hort $esson ideas for the teacher.

Drama ames http(//www.artsonthemove.co."k/reso"rces/ amesmethods/ ames.htm$


1hort# practica$# eas)/to/fo$$ow instr"ctions for drama ames for the teacher.

Detai$ed A$ossar) http(//$itera1no6.tripod.com/e$ements.htm$


H"ite detai$ed - for the teacher.

3$ot str"ct"re dia ram http(//so"th.hinsda$e8=.or /departments/en $ish/e1we%/ho$es/edia ram.htm$ 3$ot str"ct"re http(//en $ish.t)$er.cc.tx."s/en 1250Gn%)r/p$otstr"ct"re.htm http(//www.s)c.k12.pa."s/Ssms/Eart/shortNstor)/30>&/s$d017.htm
&his is a powerpoint intended for proficient speakers. &he &E.0 teacher is advised to adapt it.

1tat"s http(//www. a"detwc.com/drama/drama1/d1!5Nstat"s.htm


+n exce$$ent on/$ine reso"rce for the teacher. 0ists wa)s in which stat"s can %e shown and deve$oped thro" ho"t a dramatic piece.

1tim"$i http(//www.artsonthemove.co."k/reso"rces/ amesmethods/stim"$i.htm$ 1tr"ct"rin a drama c$ass


66 EDB 2008 / 2009

EDB Language Arts Electives Professional Development for Teachers Learning English through Drama

www.teachers.tv
&)pe in a search for 5ra!a - exce$$ent 17/min"te videos for teachers with accompan)in worksheets

&hemes www.chal+face.com/N2e)N&hemesNinNDrama
>n$) a free samp$e down$oada%$e from this site %"t f"$$ of practica$ activities %ased on Ahosts# :)ths and 0e ends. If )o" want the f"$$ doc"ment# )o" wi$$ need to p"rchase it from the we%site.

4n Hong Kong Con 2on Drama .estiva$ for 1choo$s http(//www.ed%.or .hk/schact/drama/ Con 2on +cadem) of 3erformin +rts http(//www.hkapa.ed"/ British 4o"nci$ Con 2on # Come pa e http(//www.%ritishco"nci$.or /hon kon British 4o"nci$ En $ish >n$ine - re iona$ sites for teachers and st"dents http(//www.en $ishon$ine.or .cn/en

67 EDB 2008 / 2009

You might also like