Lesson #3 – Process Drama
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE:
Students will demonstrate their ability to learn through a Process Drama experience by using the previously chosen book as the basis of a Process Drama.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
The book being used for the Process Drama. For this example: Where the Wild Things Are.
Resource: Process Drama Tools Handout 21 Red-Hot Process Drama Tools
Paper and pencils for students
HOOK:
Have students sit on floor in a circle while teacher or another student reads the chosen book
Author’s Note: Since each year the chosen book will be different, I am using Where the Wild Things Are as an example for this Process Drama. I chose activities that fit what the students had written on the board and are established Process Drama practices. I have included a resource handout here with other practices listed as a reference for other activities that could be used in this lesson.
STEP ONE:
Have students create, establish and explore Max’s house and yard.
STEP TWO:
Max’s mom has hidden Max’s wolf suit. Max must find it. (All students are Max.)
Once you have found the suit, put it on.
STEP THREE:
Get into mischief, all sorts of mischief with wolf suit.
STEP FOUR:
Everyone freeze. Max’s mom comes in. (Played by the teacher. When the teacher is sitting she/he is Max’s mom, when standing, he/she is the teacher again.) Everyone becomes an interviewer. Students may ask Max’s mom any question they would like.
STEP FIVE:
Max is now in a time out in his room. Explore the bedroom. As a class create the boat that floats to the Wild Things.
STEP SIX:
Each student can choose to be Max or a Wild Thing. Explore the Island. Dance, march, swing as Max or a wild thing.
STEP SEVEN:
Break class into two or three groups. Create a tableau of Max taming the Wild Things. Allow each group to see the picture. Discuss the dynamics of each. What elements of Max does each picture show?
STEP EIGHT:
Max is now tired and hungry. Hand out paper and pencil to everyone. Have “Max” write a letter to Mom.
STEP NINE:
Recreate the boat and come home. Max is now home. What food did mom leave? Everyone eat Max’s dinner. Smell, taste, eat.
CLOSURE:
Discuss with students how process drama will help them put together their stories. Remind them there is not time to process each story, but to use the experience to help make choices. Also, remind them process drama is only for the actor, not an audience, so don’t add process ideas into telling your story. Stay as true to the author’s story as possible.
ASSESSMENT:
Students can be assessed by participating in the process drama experience, doing all the requirements throughout the “process.”