Allen Elementary- 2nd Grade Quarter 2 2017

Ms. Kriss, Ms. Weeding, Ms. Mathis (10/5, 10/19, 10/25, 11/8, 11/16, 12/13)

Theatre Games Learned
Energy Ball
In a large circle, all students hold their hands up, palms facing each other. Students imagine that they are holding a ball of energy. One students creates an energy ball and toss it to another student across the circle. Students can make their energy balls move quickly, or very slowly. They can be large or tiny. Students receiving the energy ball can transform the ball before tossing it to another student. 
Space Walk
This activity helps actors to get to know their space as well as practice using their bodies in different ways. Establish clearly defined boundaries for the players to stay inside. Have players move about the room, paying attention to the space around them.  
Gardener
One player is chosen to be the ‘gardener.’ One at a time, he brings other players into the playing space and ‘molds’ them into various plants/trees/flowers, etc. to form a living garden. 
Pantomime in Pairs
Put actors in pairs and have them pick an activity out of the hat. They have thirty seconds to act out that activity, being as specific as they can. Audience players guess the activity. 
Exaggeration
Put students in pairs. Have students take turns pointing out a scar or scratch or bruise on their body, and then tell the other student the true story of what happened. Next, have them tell an exaggerated version of the story. For example, if the scratch came from their cat, they can make up a story about an encounter with a mountain lion in their backyard. The wilder the better! 
Complaining Symphony
In this game, a student playing a conductor makes music by combining different complaints or rants about pet peeves into a symphony of noise. Divide class into teams of five or six. Choose one person to be the conductor. Give everyone a topic to complain or whine about or let them choose their own. (If you are playing for an audience, you may also take suggestions from the audience.) After everyone has a complaint, the conductor lifts his arms and everyone warms up their voices by making sounds and noises. When the conductor lowers his arms, everyone stops. 
Friends/Enemies
ut players in pairs and give them a topic for conversation. At first, they will have a friendly conversation, but when the leader rings a bell, players must start arguing about the subject. When the leader rings the bell again, they go back to discussing the topic in a friendly manner. 
Energy Circle
In a circle, students join hands and close their eyes. One person starts by squeezing the hand of the person to his right very gently. That person “passes” the squeeze along until it goes all the way around the circle.
Freeze Dance 

* some theater games are adapted from Drama Notebook Curriculum 

Song Learned: A Turkey Named Bert
Songs with movement are a great way for students to learn rhythm and responsible actor behavior. Students are filmed on an iPad or on Mr. Chip (the custodian)'s camera and watch their performance immediately after to identify who is being a responsible actor and what that looks like. 
These "informances" are taught and filmed within the 70 minute session. 

2nd grade students assessed the 6th graders Egypt Museum on 12/13 grading the 6th graders presentation (projection, engaging voice, etc)


CCSS. Theatre. 2nd Grade

  • 1.2 Use body and voice to improvise alternative endings to a story.
  • 2.1 Perform in group improvisational theatrical games that develop cooperative skills and concentration.
  • 2.2 Retell familiar stories, sequencing story points and identifying character, setting, and conflict.
  • 2.3 Use improvisation to portray such concepts as friendship, hunger, or seasons.
  • 4.1 Critique an actor's performance as to the use of voice, gesture, facial expression, and movement to create character.
  • 4.2 Respond to a live performance with appropriate audience behavior.
  • 5.2 Demonstrate the ability to participate cooperatively in the different jobs required to create a theatrical production.

Comments