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PuppetQuest

by Jenny Goodfellow

Through a PuppetQuest, students will learn about the different types and origins of puppetry.

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One of easiest and earliest forms of puppetry, students will learn to create shadow puppets using just their hands. After they have practiced their creations, they will create a group/partner scene using the shadow puppets.

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Slide Deck Lesson 2

Shadow Puppet Cut-Outs

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students learn how shapes create interesting dynamics in shadow puppets. Students will have a packet of shadow puppet cut-outs. These cut-outs include animals that can be attached to a popsicle stick. In groups/partners, students will use the cut-outs in the packet to create a scene. They will also create an original cut-out.

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Finger Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

If you have the resources, purchase finger puppets for this lesson. It can also be easily done with drawn faces on index fingers, or faces on popsicle sticks. Using well known fairy tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” or “The Three Little Pigs,” students will retell these stories from a different perspective, using their finger puppet.

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Slide Deck Lesson 4

Create and Character/Object Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students will bring in an object that they can turn into a puppet. Using the object puppet, students will create an original character and establish movement patterns and character voice. Character Worksheet and Practice Sheets are included, to perform their original puppet characters.

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Slide Deck Lesson 5

Hand Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students learn proper hand puppet technique and practice these techniques with a prewritten scene. Teachers can also choose to use traditional hand puppets, or students can make their own using socks/paper bags.

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Slide Deck Lesson 6

Script Writing

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students will write their own puppet play using the same format as the prewritten scene. In pairs, students will go over guidelines for creating a character and writing a scene.

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Slide Deck Lesson 7

Puppetry Company

by Jenny Goodfellow

Using the guidelines provided and their previous scene, students will create a Puppet Company complete with a logo, the name of their production, and a picture that gives clues about the production. Students will also learn about professional puppet companies.

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Slide Deck Lesson 8

Putting it All Together

by Jenny Goodfellow

This final lesson is a culminating performance. Students practice their scene using their hand puppets, then perform. Those watching will fill out a feedback sheet, which is discussed after the performance. A Unit Reflection and a Performance Reflection are included.

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Slide Deck Lesson 9

Create and Perform a Radio Play

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of the lesson is for students to create and perform their own radio play using a children’s story as the source material. Radio plays are fantastic for students to practice and develop many performance skills like projection, diction, using emotion, and using their voices. They give students the opportunity to creatively work with playwriting, selecting appropriate music, and creating sound effects.

# Playwriting # playwriting

Exploring Spoken Word Poetry

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of the lesson is for students to create and perform a spoken word poetry piece. Spoken word is poetry that is meant to be performed for an audience, rather than just read on a page. It allows students the opportunity to share their thoughts, and provides a platform for them to do so. It also builds on important performance skills taught in the drama classroom, including memorization and rehearsal, vocal projection, enunciation, tone, gestures and facial expressions, and confidence.

# Acting # acting

# Playwriting # Shakespeare # playwriting # Shakespeare

Shakepeare's Words: Iambic Pentameter

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of the lesson is for students to learn what iambic pentameter is and to have the opportunity to create their own monologues using iambic pentameter. This lesson is a useful complement towards studying classical works by playwrights such as William Shakespeare.

Using Theatre to Share and Celebrate History

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of the lesson is for students to explore historical events that are significant to them through various theatrical mediums that may seem unusual or “out of the box.” The inspiration for this lesson plan comes from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s theatrical hit Hamilton, which utilizes rap and hip-hop music and colourblind casting to tell the story of the American founding fathers.

# Playwriting # Acting # acting # playwriting

Visual Absurdity

by Lea Marshall

To visually introduce the existential angst of World War II’s aftermath; to provide a historical setting for Theatre of the Absurd; as students, write a reflection monologue.

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Out of Tune

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the historical and philosophical background for the ABSURDIST style of theatre.

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Cliches, Stereotypes, and Overused Phrases

by Lea Marshall

To compare modern-day clichés and stereotyped phrases to those used in Theatre of the Absurd Plays to convey that style’s message of language’s meaninglessness.

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Slide Deck Lesson 3

Cliches, Stereotypes, and Overused Phrases in Waiting for Godot

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using cliches, stereotypes, or overused repeated phrases to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings in the text of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

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Slide Deck Lesson 4

Meaningless Language

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using meaningless language to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings.

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Meaningless Language in The Bald Soprano

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using meaningless language to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings through the text of Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano.

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Slide Deck Lesson 6