Student learning materials and activities
Drama
The Classroom Circus
Before we learn about the circus we are going to do some warm-up exercises.
We are going to march around the room to music in a follow-the-leader style. First off it is 4 children then with each circuit more children join the march. When all the children are marching around round one behind the other, the teacher will instruct different movements like jazz hands, high heads or high stepping. Keep listening because the teacher may instruct you to stop at any time and go in reverse or make a S-shaped patterns all over the room until the music finishes.
Now we’re ready to learn:
Exploring
Step right up and let’s learn about drama together. You have been learning a lot about days that we celebrate in Australia.
We are going to perform in an event together to celebrate Harmony Day. After researching carnival and parade events complete Activity 1 and 2 in your Drama Booklet.
By watching Circus Oz and exploring carnivals and parades you should now have an idea of the range of skills needed for a circus. Throughout the next activities you will select some skills that we can perform as a class. Which one do you think you would like to perform? Ribbon twirling, juggling, balancing actors, strong men/women or a lion tamer.
Click on the PDF below to access your Drama Booklet
Drama Booklet - Classroom Circus
Modified Drama Booklet - Classroom Circus
Developing
Activity 3, 4, 5 in your Drama Booklet.
Adding to word bank in Drama Booklet.
You are going to develop an action plan for skills that need to be developed to undertake the event and perform.
You will learn through lessons and games:
Parade skills – ribbon twirling, juggling and balancing activities.
Facial expressions, gestures and body language convey these emotions to others.
Dramatic action of performing like strong men/women, a lion and a lion tamer.
Fact: The circus celebrates a World Circus Day which celebrates the diversity of people, culture, history and creative energy that have contributed to live performance.
Circus costumes are always very colourful. We will need to make sure we perform is costumes that are bright.
When we are performing, and using our voice, you need to speak loudly and clearly to get the audiences attention.
Q What is mime?
Mime is acting which uses movement, gesture and facial expressions (QCAA, 2017). Look at this famous mime artist, Marcel Marceau the Lion Tamer on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2nIF2ZO5jw
Q What is role play?
Role play is playing the part of a character. If you are at the circus imagine you are the ringmaster announcing the next act in the circus. What is it? How will you introduce it? You want to excite the audience about what is to come. Can you use really expressive words? Remember you should speak loudly and clearly.
Sharing/Presenting
Activity 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in your Drama Booklet.
Are you nearly ready to perform? How exciting we are going to rehearse.
Q What does rehearse mean?
It means to practice your performance in the parade.
Rehearse with all students so they feel confident in their performance.
Q How will we focus the audience’s attention?
We need to think about our audience if we would like them to enjoy our performance.
Reflect on your favourite moments from the performance.
Q What did you learn about performing?