Orientation Lesson Plan
Date: January. 21’2010 Teacher: Miss Courtney Peterson
Subject: Drama Unit: Orientation
Goal: Students will know the names of their other classmates and demonstrate cooperation and physical barrier breakdown by being able to untangle a giant human knot (class will be split in two groups).
Grade: 7
Materials: none
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. understand and respond to classroom rules, procedures and routines
5. participate positively in classroom activities
13. demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
14. work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large ground
Background information: Students are in grade seven so this may be their first introduced to drama and junior high. Because of this classroom expectations must be very clear and reiterated multiple times. Students also may not know one another very well because many may be coming from different schools, therefore, I must be sensitive to students’ anxiety about unfamiliar people/place. Students are just emerging into early adolescence so they may be uncomfortable making contact with the opposite sex. I must be cognizant of this when mixing of genders and take it slow and not forced.
(Teachers notes in italics or brackets)
Total Time: 40mins
Introduction (8mins)
- Organize students into a seated circle on the floor
- Introducing myself to the class and giving them a quick bio about myself
- Do attendance
o When I call each students name have them share one thing that enjoy or something about themselves
- Go over class outline/rules/expectations
o Give a brief description of what drama is and what the students can expect to be doing over the semester.
§ Drama is an exploration of life through different forms such as acting, movement, speech, etc. Throughout this semester you will get an introduction to all of the forms I named previously as well as a brief over view of the technical aspect of theatre, like set, costume, lights, sound, etc. You will also develop the skills to look at theatre critically.
o Attendance is mandatory
§ Drama involves a lot of hands on and group work therefore it is crucial that you here, on time and ready to participate in every class. If you are not here you will miss out on the fun and important activities we do in class. Also, how can I mark you if you are not here?
o Assignments/Presentations are to be done on time (will be lenient under circumstances or if students discuses before hand) and it is important that everyone contributes during group work
§ We are going to work as a team in this class and I am going to put everything I have into making this the best class it can be, therefore I expect that you will all do the same. I can guarantee you that the more that you put into this class the more you will get out of it.
o Exit and entrance procedures, clothing
§ Entrance
· When you enter the class room you will need to put your backpacks against the wall, remove your shoes (I will have sock for anyone that needs or wants them)
· Then sit on the floor in a circle and wait for instructions.
§ Exit
· You may not leave the class until I have dismissed you and please leave in an orderly fashion.
· If you need to leave the classroom during class you must let me know where you are going and ask for permission
§ Clothing
· This will be a physical class therefore you must wear clothing to class that allows you to move freely. I will provide bins for you if you would like to store some comfortable clothing so there is no excuse for not having appropriate wear.
o What will be used as a control signal
§ There will be times during this class that I will need everyone’s immediate attention. In these cases I will use the word FREEZE. This means stop exactly how you are (as long as it’s safe), look, and listen. Just to make sure everyone understands in a moment I will say FREEZE and I need everyone to stop, look, and listen. The class will demonstrate the freeze position on my command.
o Explain the importance of building a community
§ This classroom must be an emotionally and physically safe place where everyone feels comfortable. Everyone must feel secure to share and express him or herself without judgment. It must be a place where people are not afraid to take safe risks. Because we are creating this environment there is to be absolutely NO put downs, mocking, discriminatory language, or negative criticism. Please be aware that if hear or see any of these actions there will be serious consequences. One way that we can help build this trust in one another is through group cooperation. You will be expected at some point throughout the semester to work cooperatively with every person in this class. Things may go on outside this classroom but when you walk into this door all slates are wiped clean.
o Have a couple volunteers summarize the rules and expectations of the classroom. Receive a verbal agreement from everyone that they understand and agree with the expectations outlined.
Set
- Explain what we will be doing in class today and for the next couple of days
§ We just discussed the importance of trust and cooperation in drama so for today and the next couple of classes we will be doing activities that are aimed at building that trust and cooperation. We will begin with a get to know you game, then move on to some trust games, and end with a cooperation game. Our two main goals of today’s class are to be able to name everyone in the class and be able to untangle a giant human knot using communication and teamwork.
Activities
Alliteration Name (5mins)
§ Have the class stand-up
o Instructions:
§ Beginning with me each student will think of an action and an alliteration that goes with their name.
· Ex. Merry Miss Peterson – action – a squat with a low arm swoop
§ Once I have done my name and action the entire class in unison will say “Hi Merry Miss Peterson” while doing the action.
§ Then the student to my left will say their alteration name and action.
§ The students in unison will say “Hi so and so” with the action and “Hi Merry Miss Peterson” with action.
§ This continues around the circle until everyone has gone. Remember that everyone’s name is repeated each time.
§ Once everyone has gone repeat the entire class once more.
§ Does everyone understand? Can someone please summarize the instructions?
Rational: Knowing each other’s names is the first step in creating trust, which is key in a drama classroom. Creating trust and comfort with one another is one of my objectives. Using the alliteration often can aid people in remembering names and also is interdisciplinary because alliteration is a term they will use in LA. Adding an action get them communicating through both voice and body (which is objective #18 in the Jr.H POS) and get them active. Students are also required to really concentrate to remember all the names (objective #9). This activity also allows the students to show some creativity, which is important in drama, and always show they can take some risks.
Name Circle Cross/Blind Circle Cross (4mins)
§ Class remains standing in a circle
o Instructions:
§ I will begin by saying a student’s name that is across the circle from me. The student that I name must respond with “Yes Miss Peterson” and switch positions with me by crossing through the circle and standing in my spot (and me in theirs).
§ Does everyone understand? Can someone please summarize the instructions?
§ Next two new students will do this. Increase the number of students that cross as you go along as game progresses.
§ Continue until everyone has had the opportunity to cross.
§ Next select a volunteer that is willing to try crossing the circle with their eyes closed.
§ It is important that the class take care of this person by directing them across the circle safely
§ Increase the number of blind people crossing the circle
Rational: By having the students name the classmate they switching with it continues to remind students of each others names and allows me to observe whether my goal, students will be able to name all their classmates, has been achieved. Progression into the blind circle cross further emphasizes trust and also gives students the opportunity to demonstrate safety (objective #2).
Pruii (8mins)
§ Class remains in a circle but can sit while instructions are given (stand after instructions)
o Instructions:
§ Everyone in the circle will close his or her eyes (they must remain shut). I will walk around the outside of the circle and tap one person on the shoulder. The person I tap is Pruii.
§ If you are Pruii when I say go you will open your eyes, move to a spot in the room and stay there. If someone touches you and says pruii you must remain silent.
§ If you are NOT Pruii when I say go you must still keep your eyes and carefully/slowly move around the room with your eyes shut. If you run into someone or if someone runs into you then you must say pruii.
§ Continue moving around the room until you find the person who does not respond with pruii (cause they are pruii).
§ Once you have found pruii you may open your eyes and wait quietly with Pruii until the other students have found Pruii as well.
§ When a student touches you after you have become part of Pruii you remain silent when you are touched.
§ You must use your listening skills to finding Pruii by moving towards the silence.
§ Does everyone understand? Can someone please summarize the instructions?
Rational: This activity emphasizes trust even more because everyone cooperates and trusts one another all at the same time. It’s great for breaking down the physical barrier because it requires students to touch one another. The touch is also less evasive because everyone is anonymous with his or her eyes closed. Becoming physically comfortable with one another is also one of my lesson objectives. Finally this activity engages their listening skills (objective #10).
Human Knot (10mins)
§ Gather class into a circle again. I will slip the class into groups of 3-4
o Instructions:
§ In your groups you must form a circle facing one another
§ Next take your right hand and grab the hand of a person across from you, then take your left hand a grab the hand of a person different then the one you are already holding
§ Without breaking your hands your must use communication and cooperation to untangle your group to form a circle again.
§ Does everyone understand? Can someone please summarize the instructions?
§ Have groups try a couple times then begin combining groups to make them larger
§ Continue combining groups until the class is split into two large groups (or one large group if possible)
§ Make sure that you are encouraging one another positively and supporting one another. If someone has an idea don’t just shoot it down, try or discuss it.
Rational: This activity demonstrates that all of the objectives of the previous activities have been accomplished because it requires physical contact, students to use each others names to communicate, listen effectively, and cooperate in smaller and larger groups (my fourth objective #14). It also allows students to demonstrate positive support for one another (objective #15), which further builds the sense of trust and community.
Closure (5mins)
You all did a great job today and I hope that everyone is feeling more comfortable. We got to know each other a little more today and cooperated as a team. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you more and really creating our own little community. To wrap-up we will go around the circle and I would like each of you to answer these four questions:
1) Name one other person in the class
2) What is one the classroom rules/expectations we discussed or if I missed one you think is important you may add it?
3) What is one thing you learned today?
4) What are you looking forward to the most in this class?
Thank you everyone for your hard work today. See you next class for some more fun trust and team building exercises. You’re dismissed!
Rational: Gives positive reinforcement. Allows assessment and reiteration of students learning.
Evaluation - How will you know the children have attained the objective(s) set for this lesson?
- Objective #1: If the students are able to give one classroom expectation during our closer discussion, if they respond properly to the Freeze command, and if they stay in class until they are dismissed then I will know that my first objective has been accomplished.
- Objective #5: If all students participate in each activity and the class discussions I will know that my second objective has been accomplished. I will also have to rotate the room and monitor during the human knot activity to ensure that everyone is participating cooperatively.
- Objective #13: If students are secure enough to walk the room with their eyes closed, if they all participate in the human knot activity, and if they are providing positive comments to their classmates then I will know that my third objective has been accomplished.
- Objective #14: If students willingly participate with the groups or partners given and if they are providing positive feed back to one another then I will know that my fourth objective has been accomplished.
To monitor and keep track of this I will create a chart with each students name with a column for each of these objectives. I will put short notes under each student indicating whether I feel each individual student accomplished my objectives. Also make note of any problems, difficulties, or student action that may need to be addressed in the future.
Follow up - What will the students do next?
- At the begging of next class we will review names and have a few students try naming the whole class.
- Make sure that students are following the appropriate entrance procedures. If they didn’t follow procedure, review it.
- Build on trust and communication further and begin introducing control and listening.
SELF-EVALUATION – WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME TO IMPROVE THIS LESSON? WHAT WENT WELL THAT YOU SHOULD BUILD ON?
