Unit
in Drama One Curriculum
Pantomime
Created by Karen Loftus
In this unit, students will explore nonverbal communication: first, through body language and gesture, and then through the specific art of pantomime. Students will learn hand position, tension, follow-through, and action/reaction/interaction with objects through warm-up games and exercises. The unit culminates in a two-person pantomime performance.
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The overview lays out the structure of the unit, including objectives, materials list, lesson structure and assessment and time management tools.
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1Lesson 1GestureStudents discuss and apply the different ways one can communicate through gesture.
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2Lesson 2The Specifics of Holding an ObjectStudents are introduced to the techniques of hand position, tension, follow through, action/reaction/interaction.
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3Lesson 3TableauStudents continue exploring nonverbal communication through tableaux.
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4Lesson 4Unit ProjectThe final project for this unit is a simple two-person pantomime of up to one minute in length. The objective is for students to utilize mime, body language, and facial expression to tell a basic story: an activity that has an obstacle that they overcome or get past.
Standards Addressed
Improvisation Drama 10
- 1 use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
- 10 demonstrate appropriate rehearsal methods
- 13 communicate meaning without words
- 14 discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
- 24 select and use vocal techniques appropriate to a character
- 26 use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to a character
- 9 use appropriate stage directions
Improvisation Drama 30
Acting Drama 20
Movement Drama 10
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
- communicate through use of voice and body
- demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
- demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
- generate imaginative and creative solutions to problems
- listen effectively
- meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
- move in a variety of ways
- offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
- recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
- share ideas confidently with others
- support positively the work of others
- work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large groups
Movement Level I - Beginning
- 10 use varying speed of movement
- 11 use directions and pathways
- 12 use levels
- 13 control focus and energy in movement and gesture
- 17 use movement to communicate non-verbally
- 18 create movement in response to music
- 2 demonstrate awareness of personal and shared space
- 6 use proper posture
- 9 travel through space in a variety of ways e.g., running, creeping and jumping
Movement Level II - Intermediate
Movement Level III - Advanced
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
Junior Goal I Objectives
- develop a sense of responsibility and commitment
- develop self-confidence
- develop self-discipline
- develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
- develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
- develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
- explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities
- extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions
- extend the ability to think imaginatively and creatively
- extend the ability to understand, accept and respect others- their rights, ideas, abilities and differences
- strengthen powers of concentration
Senior Goal I Objectives
- apply imaginative and creative thought to problem-solving situations
- demonstrate a sense of inquiry and commitment, individually and to the group
- demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
- demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- extend physical and vocal capabilities
- extend the ability to concentrate
- extend the ability to control and express emotions
- increase self-confidence
- increase self-discipline
Senior Goal II Objectives
Orientation Drama 10
- concentrate on the task at hand
- demonstrate effective use and management of time
- demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
- listen to self and others
- offer and accept constructive criticism with a desire to progress
- share ideas confidently
- work cooperatively and productively
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