Explore and Adapt

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

6

Overview

For this activity, students will be put into groups. They will then read the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll with their group. In groups, they will explore the poem vocally and physically. The students will perform their creation for the other students in the class.

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

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 6 - Theatre

AE17.TH.6.13

Adapt a drama/theatre work and present it informally for an audience.

UP:AE17.TH.6.13

Vocabulary

Vocal
Movement
Characterization
Directing
Design
Theatrical production

Skills Assessed
  • The student improvises, writes, and rewrites monologues, scenes, and vignettes to convey predetermined intent and meaning. Student directors are accountable for small group presentations of a scene or vignette. The director is responsible for incorporating all aspects of a production into a unified whole.
  • This explores the concepts of production and design by taking the basics and forming a full production.

Essential Questions

EU: Theatre artists share and present stories, ideas, and envisioned worlds to explore the human experience.
EQ: What happens when theatre artists and audiences share a creative experience?

Skills Examples

Personal Processes and Interpreting a Piece
  • Given a prompt, a small group of students improvise a scene to be staged within a designated time period. After the improvisation, students discuss ways to better communicate the group's interpretation.
  • Students then transform the improvisation into a written script that includes stage movements, sound and visual effects, and other details.
  • Students select a director, actors, and technicians; rehearse; and present the scene. After viewing a recording of their scene, students re-evaluate their effectiveness in achieving their intent, make revisions, and present their scene before the class, which then participates in the evaluative response.
  • This activity allows students to explore all aspects of the performance and has them evaluate themselves on camera to make changes and artistic choices.
Resources for Age Appropriate Plays for Improv Starters Reflections and Shared Experiences
  • By utilizing multiple groups, students will be allowed to be both performer and audience member. The students should keep an Actor's Notebook and have several prompts from the teacher being critical of the interactions between an audience and performer.
Resources for Journaling and Self Reflection

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.

Learning Objectives

By exploring vocal and physical choices, the students will adapt "Jabberwocky" for an informal performance. 

Activity Details

The students will be divided into groups of five or six. The students will then read aloud together "Jabberwocky". The students will explore the story through movement and vocal choices. After a time limit set by the teacher, the students will present their adaptation to the class.

Assessment Strategies

The teacher can create a checklist for each group to use as self assessment. 

Does your performance create a story that is an adaptation of "Jabberwocky"?

Did the ensemble create a variety of physical and vocal choices?

Did all group members participate in the creation of the performance piece?

Did all group members participate in the performance?

 

Variation Tips

This activity can be used to explore the concept of context clues.

Background / Preparation

Have copies available of "Jabberwocky" for the students.

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