Waltham Public Schools - Drama

Elementary Drama Curriculum Guides

Elementary Drama is offered to students in the Waltham Public Schools beginning in Kindergarten through fifth grade. The program is designed to foster independent and cooperative work skills, develop and strengthen presentation and performance abilities, and enhance problem solving and analytical competencies.

Our curriculum continuously highlights the four realms of communication (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and includes opportunities for students to work individually, in small groups, and within class ensembles.

Through project-based learning, drama focuses on giving all of our students a heightened understanding of characters and characteristics, story and script structure, improvisation, narration, point of view, and presentation and performance skills in an interactive environment.

Students in grades K–5 have drama class one time per week for the entire year.

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom Routines Body/Spatial Awareness	3-4 classes Fall	Kindergartners will: Demonstrate the ability to work in their own space Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	In this unit I learned: How my teacher organizes our class How to listen to a performance and clap at the end How to share something on my own How to make room for other students
Creating Characters Dramatizing stories as a group	4-5 classes Fall	Understand the difference between imagination and reality in dramatic play Identify characters within shared stories	What a character is and how to find them How to find something in a story that reminds me of me How to make the sounds and movements that a character makes in a story
Introduction to Story Form Sequencing	4-5 classes Fall/Winter	Confirm understanding of a text read aloud Recognize common types of texts and characteristics of their structure (e.g., story elements in books)	How to follow the order of a story How to describe characters and tell them apart
Exploring and dramatizing multicultural and seasonal traditions	3-4 classes Winter	Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional details	How to find things about characters, stories, and people that are the same and different How to pretend to be a character
Independent role playing	4 classes Winter	Portray simple characters in dramatic play Identify realistic feelings characters might have in a theatrical work	How to act like a character for a whole story How to describe a character or story out loud How to perform with a whole group
Imaginative play	4 classes Winter/Spring	Contribute story ideas in dramatic play Portray characters in an established or improvised story	How to share my ideas out loud How to change a character or story
Exploring Characters	4 classes Spring	With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories Refine and complete artistic work	How to play different characters in the same story How to describe differences between characters How to perform a character on my own
Appreciation of language and dialogue Memorization	4 classes Spring	Demonstrate appropriate behaviors of a theatrical presentation Explore and employ basic public speaking tenets	How to learn and remember my part or presentation How to present to my class
Dramatic Presentations	4 classes Spring	With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. Focus on and pursue a process or idea to completion when experimenting during theatre activities.	How to share my own work in front of an audience How to use the parts of public speaking: volume, enunciation, posture
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	With prompting and support, identify similarities between elements of a theatrical work and personal experiences	How to explain how I felt about a story or performance How to react to other students’ performances

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom Routines Body/Spatial Awareness	4 classes Fall	Demonstrate the ability to work in their own space Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How my teacher organizes our class How to listen to a performance and clap at the end How to work independently and make up my own ideas How to work as part of a team
Characterization/Exploration of Literature	5 classes Fall	•Create and portray characters imagined and based on a text Use their bodies and voices to communicate thoughts, feeling, and points of view	How to pretend to be a character that we read in a book How to use my body and voice to be a character How to follow the order of a story
Story Structure	4 classes Fall/Winter	Retell the sequence of a story Create new resolutions for established conflicts Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of a story by working alone and in a group to create stage pictures	How to identify the beginning, middle and end of a story. How to act out a scene or story with my classmates
Creative Movement	3 classes Winter	Use movement to explore feelings. emotions and/or elements of a story Explore concepts as they move safely in relationship to others and in their self-space	How to use my body and expressions to communicate an idea or feeling How to move in my own space as part of a group
Elements of Playmaking and Performance	3 classes Winter	Imagine and arrange an environment for a class dramatization Enhance a character with the use of a prop or costume piece Work cooperatively with peers to create and rehearse a dramatic work based on a text	How to follow the script of a play How to rehearse a play with my classmates How to perform a play in front of an audience
Role Play	3 classes Winter	Listen and respond to others in character during a dramatic work Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of dramatic techniques as they work to suspend disbelief	How to pretend to be a character
Presentation Skills	4 classes Winter/Spring	Explore and use basic public speaking tenets when performing and presenting formally and informally	How to use volume and enunciation so an audience can hear and understand me How to stand up straight and use good posture in front of an audience
Stage Presence	5 classes Spring	Take risks in their drama work to develop confidence -demonstrate the appropriate audience etiquette to support and encourage the work of others	How to perform a character on stage How to listen to a performance and clap at the end
Public Speaking Performance Skills	4 classes Spring	Employ rehearsal strategies to prepare and present a creative work focusing on volume, posture and enunciation.	How to use volume, enunciation, and posture independently
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	With prompting and support, identify similarities between elements of a theatrical work and personal experiences	How to discuss what I see on stage

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom Routines Body/Spatial Awareness	4 classes Fall	Demonstrate abilities in both independent and cooperative drama work Demonstrate how to be an attentive audience member Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How my teacher organizes my class How to follow the rules in drama class How to work alone and as part of a team in drama activities How to listen to a performance and clap at the end
Character Traits	4 classes Fall	Move and vocalize in ways that convey details about a character and their role in the story Propose new details to existing characters and stories to further the dramatic play.	How to identify and act out character traits How to create a character and make up my own characteristics
Setting Physicality	4 classes Fall	Identify settings in a variety of texts Portray a character who’s vocalizations and movements match a given setting	How to identify the setting of a story How to act out a character in a setting How to show where I am in a setting using my body and voice
In-Role Work Conflict/ Resolution	4 classes Fall/Winter	Identify Conflict and Resolution in a story Compare and Contrast how the characters deal with a conflict in a story Suggest and perform ways to resolve conflict within dramatic play	How to create a character that makes sense How to identify the conflict and resolution in a story How to solve the conflicts in a way that makes sense
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills	4 classes Winter	Demonstrate appropriate behaviors of a theatrical presentation Explore and employ basic public speaking tenets	How to use volume, enunciation, posture, and eye contact independently: How to speak loudly and clearly enough for an audience to hear and understand me How to stand up straight and face an audience How to make eye contact with an audience
Cooperative Work Supported by Text	4 classes Winter	Portray a character based on an existing plan Contribute to the development of a sequential plot With support, identify the basic elements of theater	How to make up a story How to identify beginning, middle and end of a story How to identify the conflict of a story How to act out the story we created so that it makes sense
Scene work Rehearsal Skills	3 classes Winter/Spring	Acknowledge differences in character’s point of view including speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue Creating different physical life for different characters to support vocal work	How to use my expressive voice How to speak and move like my character
Cooperative group work Rehearsal Skills	3 classes Spring	Display ability to rehearse with partners and in small group Propose ideas for costumes, props, and scenery in a guided drama experience Build on the ideas of others in relation to the drama experience	How to work independently and with my scene partners How to offer ideas to make my scene better How to listen to my peer’s ideas and respectfully add them to the scene
Presentation Skills	5 classes Spring	Memorize and present dramatic work Communicate point of view clearly using the public speaking tenets	How to practice and memorize my lines How to speak clearly How to present myself in front of an audience in my character
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	With prompting and support, identify similarities between elements of a theatrical work and personal experiences	How to listen to a performance, clap at the end, and identify details How to talk about a performance I see at my school

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom Routines Cooperative Skills Ensemble Building	4 classes Fall	Demonstrate abilities in both independent and cooperative drama work Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members. Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to listen to and observe a performance How to work independently and as a team member with my peers How to follow the classroom rules
Story Structure/ Characterization	5 classes Fall	Describe characters and their relationships Identify setting and conflict within stories Reenact rising action and plot ideas within stories	How to identify and describe character traits How to identify the elements of a play or story How to act out a story and know where I am in the story
Storytelling	3 classes Fall	Plan, improvise, and write or record simple dramas that include the “five w’s”: who, what, where, when, and why Give and accept constructive and supportive feedback	How to write a script that makes sense How to compliment my classmate’s work How to offer suggestions to help make a story or performance better
Text/Scene Analysis	4 classes Fall/Winter	Read, listen to, and tell stories from a variety of cultures, genres, and styles Create a scene or play with a beginning, middle, and end based on an original idea, a story, or other forms of literature (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) Develop dramatic dialogue for characters	How to create a play or story with beginning, middle and end How to understand dramatic structure How to make up the words that the characters say and be sure they make sense
Performance Skills	4 classes Winter	Pretend to be someone else in role using basic properties (props), costumes, and imagery Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression Learn lines, observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors	How to read and/or write a script How to act out a character using my body, voice and imagination How to memorize my lines and practice in an ensemble/small group
Presentation Skills	3 classes Winter	Uses presentation and public speaking skills such as projection, posture, enunciation, eye contact, and pace Support Common Core grade-level Speaking and Listening Skills	How to practice, memorize, and present my lines How to speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard by an audience How to use posture to present myself in front of an audience
Public Speaking	4 classes Winter/Spring	Uses presentation and public speaking skills such as projection, posture, enunciation, eye contact, and pace Identifies strengths and weaknesses in their own drama work Support Common Core grade-level Speaking and Listening Skills	How to use volume, enunciation, posture, eye contact, and pace independently: How to speak loudly and clearly enough for an audience to hear and understand me How to stand up straight and face an audience How to look at an audience How to speak with appropriate speed How to identify the important things I am saying How to edit my work better by listening to suggestions
Role Play	4 classes Spring	Pretend to be someone else, creating a character based on stories or through improvisation, using properties (props), costumes, and imagery Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression	How to create a character from a story How to make up a character on my own How to use my body and voice to communicate the character to the audience How to use a prop effectively
Introduction to Improvisation	4 classes Spring	Continue to explore non-verbal methods of communication (i.e. body language/facial expression) Demonstrates the ability to work cooperatively with a partner or in an ensemble Identifies strengths and weaknesses in their own drama work	How to work in a small group or ensemble to create a scene How to discuss what worked in our scene and how to strengthen it
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	Describe and demonstrate audience skills of observing attentively Describe and demonstrate responding appropriately in classroom presentations, rehearsals, and live performance settings Use drama to support other curricula	How to perform a play or class project using the skills I have learned this year. How to describe what I see and enjoy when I am an audience member

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom routines Cooperative skills Ensemble building	4 classes Fall	Demonstrate abilities in both independent and cooperative drama work Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to listen to and observe a performance How to work independently and as a team member with my peers How to follow the classroom rules How to be respectful of my classmate’s ideas How to observe a performance with respect
Parts of the Stage	4 classes Fall	Understand and practice stage directions and theatrical vocabulary	How to read/write stage directions How to stand and move on a stage so the audience can see me
Implementing Dramatic Concepts	4 classes Fall	Describe characters and their relationships Identify setting and conflict within stories Reenact rising action and plot ideas within stories	How to create a character using my voice and body How to use appropriate dramatic words in a script and when speaking about a scene
Text/Scene Analysis	4 classes Fall/Winter	Analyze how essential events in a story make up the dramatic structure of a theatrical work Explain how a theatrical work can help identify multiple perspectives and diverse community ideas, and can help connect to a community or culture	How to identify and create scenes that have a beginning, middle, and end using dramatic structure How to read and perform a script that uses stage directions How to discuss a play or scene with my classmates
Sustaining a Character	5 classes Winter	Pretend to be someone else in role using basic properties (props), costumes, and imagery Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression Learn lines, observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors	How to use theatrical elements to enhance my acting How to memorize my lines and stay in character throughout the performance How to identify details about the scenes I am in and the scenes I see presented in class
Fundamentals of Improvisation	5 classes Winter	Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression. Observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors.	How to create and portray a character without using a script How to identify and follow the rules of improvising
Playmaking Rehearsal and Production	5 classes Spring	Create and articulate sensory details of imagined worlds and improvised stories Record theatrical ideas for future use (writing a script or describing details of settings or costumes) Explain how a theatrical work can help identify multiple perspectives and diverse community ideas, and can help connect to a community or culture	How to add theatrical and emotional elements to express meaning in a script How to talk about a play or scene using theatrical vocabulary How to listen to and observe a performance and identify the purpose or intent of the work How to identify aspects/elements of technical theater
Performance and Presentation	5 classes Spring	Uses presentation and public speaking skills such as projection, posture, enunciation, eye contact, pace, and tone Identifies strengths and weaknesses in their own drama work Support Common Core grade-level Speaking and Listening Skills Analyze how essential events in a story make up the dramatic structure of a theatrical work Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work	How to use volume, enunciation, posture, eye contact, pace, and tone independently: How to speak loudly and clearly enough for an audience to hear and understand me How to stand up straight and face an audience How to look at an audience How to speak with appropriate speed How to show emotion in my voice How to reflect on my own work How to edit my work to make the scene more effective
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	Demonstrate abilities in both independent and cooperative drama work Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to be a respectful audience member How to contribute to a class project
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	Describe and demonstrate audience skills of observing attentively Describe and demonstrate responding appropriately in classroom presentations, rehearsals, and live performance settings Use drama to support other curricula	How to perform a play or class project using the skills I have learned this year. How to describe what I see and enjoy when I am an audience member

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Classroom routines Cooperative skills Ensemble building	4 classes Fall	Demonstrate the ability to work in their own space Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to be respectful of my friends’ ideas How to follow the rules in my classroom
Text/Scene Analysis	4 classes Fall	Compare and contrast 2 or more characters, settings or events in a story Write from the point of view of a character from a text using reason and relevant information Develop a well structured scripted or unscripted scene Use specific vocabulary to discuss details of a scene or text	How to explain what a character is thinking by analyzing the text How to create a script that reflects the point of view of a character How to follow the rules of dramatic structure in scenes that I write or improvise
Presentation Skills and Audience Feedback	4 classes Fall	Develop appropriate physical and vocal traits for a character in a scene Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression Engage in collaborative discussion with peers Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to use dramatic vocabulary to communicate with my fellow actors How to develop characters using details from a text How to be in a scene with an ensemble and stay in character How to reflect on my own work How to edit my work to make the scene more effective How to watch my peers’ work and offer compliments and suggestion How to listen to a performance respectfully
Monologue/ Oration	5 classes Fall/Winter	Present and justify an opinion on a scene or text Demonstrate public speaking and presentation skills such as: volume, posture, clarity, eye contact, expression/tone and proper pace	How to use volume, enunciation, posture, eye contact, pace, and tone independently: How to speak loudly and clearly enough for an audience to hear and understand me How to stand up straight and face an audience How to look at an audience How to speak with appropriate speed How to show emotion in my voice How to identify the important things I am saying How to edit my work better by listening to suggestions
Advanced Acting and In-Role Technique	5 classes Winter	Make unique physical and vocal choices to portray a character independently and as a member of a group Learn lines, observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors Rehearse in and stay in character during performance Demonstrate relation to text/situation	How to use theatrical elements to enhance my acting How to memorize my lines and stay in character throughout the performance How to work as a member of an ensemble
Advanced Improvisation, Character Development and Scene Creation	6 classes Winter/Spring	Follow agreed upon rules regarding giving and receiving feedback Create characters through physical movement, gesture, sound and/or speech, and facial expression. Learn lines, observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors. Consider the feedback of others in making adjustments to artistic choices in scripted or unscripted scenes	How to build a scene as an independent performer and member of a larger group How to create scenes based on choices made by improvised characters How to make my own artistic choices based on text and discussion with peers.
Rehearsal and Performance	6 classes Spring	Explain personal reactions to artistic choices Contribute to the performance of a scripted or unscripted scene Demonstrate the ability to make individual artistic choices as part of a whole team in scripted or unscripted scenes	How to contribute artistically to a piece of work How to take feedback from others and apply it to my work How to be respectful of others’ ideas and suggestions How to respectfully offer feedback to others How to listen to a performance and reflect on it from my own point of view
Building Based Closing Activities	2 classes June	Demonstrate the ability to work in their own space Demonstrate how to be attentive audience members Follow agreed upon rules for discussions and activities	How to be a respectful audience member How to contribute to a class project