This lesson invites students to derive inspiration from photographs (portraits and people, historical events and images depicting strife or struggle, etc.) based around a given time period. These images serve as impetus to write monologues and create improvisational skits engaging students in a brand new way!
This lesson invites students to derive inspiration from photographs (portraits and people, historical events and images depicting strife or struggle, etc.) based around a given time period. These images serve as impetus to write monologues and create improvisational skits engaging students in a brand new way!
Students use photos that relate to a social studies concept (i.e., country of study, historical person, natural disaster, geographical landmark, religion, or governmental strife) as a springboard to write a first person monologue embodying the person who is pictured. This monologue explores the character’s views on the subject of the second photo that deals with the social studies concept. The monologues are presented in class and other students can interview the characters to explore issues. The second step to this exercise is to get the students on their feet, mimicking the picture. The pair of students bring the photo to life in an improvisation that explores conflict and resolution.
Students use photos of people in real life World War ll events as a springboard to write dialogue between the people in photograph. Students are paired up and create a scene that addresses the issues surrounding World War ll. Working as an ensemble to write the scene allows opportunities for collaboration and compromise. After the scenes are written, students bring the photos to life in front of the class in a theatre format. This allows the students to see other’s point of view while digging deeper into the events and life of World War II. By allowing your students to explore their knowledge of World War ll through the eyes of someone who was there, they learn empathy and better embody the subject matter. This exercise is a wonderful tool to increase presentation skills, empathy and ensemble in your classroom.
These activities will allow students to become explorers and travel across the United States to encounter a variety of land forms. Students will create a story about their trek and then create choreography to match the sequence generated in the story.