Drama Lesson on Mirror Images and Human Puppets
Drama Ideas for Movement Control,Synchronization & Presentation
Oct 28, 2009
Drama is a field of activity that enables development of mind and body, self expression through body movement, and personal confidence in one’s self presentation.
Drama Activities are Suitable for All Ages
While drama activities and classes suit all ages, very different themes have to be chosen to suit specific age-groups and the student demographic of the class. It is up to the teacher to decide if this particular lesson is suitable for the students in the relevant class. Drama lessons can be for the development of the arts, for language expansion or for ESL language practice.
Warming Up is Essential at the Beginning of Every Drama Class
Warm up Exercises for all lessons:
- Students move around the room to selections of music the teacher has prepared.
- Simple breathing exercises, such as slow breathing in and out for five counts that the teacher calls out to the students. In for five counts, hold for five counts, out for five counts. Repeat three times.
- Move to the tambourine. Teacher beats out a variety of rhythms and the students walk around the room to the beat of the tambourine.
Drama Tasks to Develop Synchronization of Movement
Mirror Images:
In twos, one student leads and the other follows closely. The pair needs to work so closely that it looks as if their movement is choreographed.
Copying an Action:
In pairs, or with students standing in a circle and one leader in the middle, each student presents a basic everyday action, for example, washing the dishes, peeling a potato, brushing hair. Either the partner, or the whole group if working in a circle, has to copy the exact movement of the leader. Each participant becomes a leader.
The Controller and the Controlled:
Students have to prepare little acts in pairs. One participant must be the controller and the other the controlled object. Here are some ideas for this sequence:
- One is a machine and the other the worker of the machine.
- One is the dog, the other his master
- One is the bread dough and the other, the oven.
- One is the flower, and the other the sun.
Give students 15 to 20 minutes to prepare this little act. Students present their shows to the rest of the class.
The Puppet and the Puppeteer:
In pairs: One is the control and the other the puppet. Students have to prepare an act in which the puppet presents something while the puppeteer does the talking. To expand, if the puppet is going to act out that he or she is a witch, the movements and story have to be planned. The puppeteer then has to stand behind the puppet (or stand on a raised bench behind the puppet) and move as if he/she is moving the puppet. The idea behind this is that the pair synchronize movement, plan the story well, and cooperate so that a smooth, well choreographed sequence is formed.
Students act this out to others in the class. This is also an activity that can be given for homework so that the class practice and perfect the sequence. Costumes may enhance the show; encourage students to dress up their puppet.
Ideas for costumes can be found on the Internet or in libraries. A thrift store is a good place to find clothes to costume the puppet.
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