The kindergartners loved becoming three little rabbits who get into mischief and eventually get stuck in a pool of honey. Using narrative pantomime, they explored the movements of the rabbits as they awoke in their burrows and searched the garden for food. When they smelled something sweet coming from the old woman’s house, they snuck in and began eating the honey she had spilled on the floor. Ask your favorite kindergartner how the rabbits got free from honey.
First Grade
The first graders have been working on imagining ways their bodies and voices can create a story such as The Grouchy Ladybug by famous author Eric Carle or Molly Bang’s adaptation of the Indian folktale, The Little Old Lady and the Red Pumpkin. The students explored their imaginations to find multiple ways of using a prop, such a scarf or box, as they read Not A Box by Antoinette Portis.
Second Grade
While reading the book Strega Nona and its sequel Strega Nona Meets her Match, the students took on roles of the main characters, and created simple scenes in pairs. Through pantomime they made special potions and even became the runaway pasta! The students collaborated in small groups to build their own version of Strega Amelia’s headache machine using blocks, scarves, styrofoam noodles and rope.
Third Grade
The third graders loved working on the story El Cucuy, a bogeyman folktale from Mexico. The children rotated roles to become the naughty siblings who were caught be El Cucuy in his cave. They had to problem solve how they could convince him to let them go free.
Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade
The students have participated in a process drama based on the story Tailypo!, an Appalachian folktale about a mysterious creature. The students have been asked to investigate the disappearance of the Old Man, after hearing rumors about a “tailypo” visiting his cabin. The students have been problem solving in small groups and pairs. The drama progresses using the ideas of the students.