Learning Activity

Stepping into the Painting

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

K

Overview

Students will participate in a guided drama experience both alone and with peers when they step into the painting displayed. Students will select a character from the painting and become a frozen tableau until asked to tell the story of their character. 

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): KG - Theatre

AE17.TH.K.3

Participate in dramatic play or a guided drama experience alone and with peers.

Unpacked Content

UP:AE17.TH.K.3

Vocabulary

Research
  • Videos
Analysis
  • Real
  • Imaginary
Voice
Movement
  • Puppetry
Characterization
  • Gesture
Directing
Design
  • Sets
  • Props
Theatrical production
  • Rehearse

Essential Questions

EU: Theatre artists work to discover different ways of communicating meaning.
EQ: How, when, and why do theatre artists' choices change?

Skills Examples

  • Use "make believe games" and create ideas for roles, imaginary worlds, and stories.
  • Define props and costumes and explain how they are used in a given theatrical work.
  • Use a costume chest to play improvised scenes with collaborating class members.
  • Use puppets to help build an understanding of characterization and improvise a short scene.
  • Use recyclable materials (such as toilet paper rolls) to create props (such as a telescope) for a particular scene.
  • Use the props created to improvise a short scene with partners. Each partner should be encouraged to express an original idea during the improvisation.
  • Watch a children's theatre piece and ask and answer questions.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to participate in a guided drama experience by selecting a character, becoming a frozen tableau and telling the story of the character.

Activity Details

  • The teacher will display a piece of artwork that the students have previously studied and ask the students to choose a character or object from the artwork to imitate with their bodies in a frozen tableau.
  • Frozen tableau is a drama strategy which means "living picture." Students will create a still picture, without talking, to capture and communicate the meaning of the painting. Students need to have a true understanding of the painting displayed in order to communicate it using physical poses, gestures, and facial expressions rather than words. 
  • Once the students are frozen, walk around the room and ask one student to describe their character and tell a story about what is happening. With younger children, they will verbalize their character while older students should be able to use expression, poses, and gestures instead of voice. 
  • Once the student is done telling their story they will refreeze and the teacher will walk around the room assessing each student. 
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Summative assessment rubric. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WcAXIh7gx77i8iujRWZ338WC4OaNTx2L/view?usp=sharing

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Select a painting to display for the class. Explain what frozen tableau is and should look like. 

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

ctayl0r
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