Minds On

Let’s warm up!

Don’t forget to do your safety check!

Warm Up

Warm up

Think of a flower. You may pretend to hold an imaginary flower by its stem. Hold the flower to your face and breathe in deeply. While you do that, breathe in for a count of three. Then, exhale through your mouth for a count of four. Repeat two more times.

Access the following audio recording entitled “Flower” to follow this exercise.

Flower

Drama game

Time to act! We will try to do this by using body movements and changing the expression on our face without making a sound. This is called mime.

Press ‘Definition’ to learn more about mime.

Mime is a way to share ideas without speaking or making sounds. Instead, body movements and facial expressions are used to express ideas and feelings.

Access the following video to explore an example of a mime using body movements and facial expressions to show they are pulling an imaginary rope.

Explore the following prompts, and act them out without saying a word or making a noise. You can do it!

  • Prompt 1: How can you mime “a big furry bear moving through the forest”?
  • Prompt 2: How can you mime “feeling sleepy”?
  • Prompt 3: How can you mime “a person driving a car”?

Let’s get started!

Having a stuffed animal makes you feel cozy and safe. Why would a stuffed animal make a good prop for a character who is upset?

Action

Get ready, get set…

Props and characters

Why are props important?

Props are important because they help the drama story to feel more real and interesting to the audience.

Props can be used to help you get into character. It helps to think about what your character would feel.

Explore this short video of a child practising soccer in an outdoor field. If your character had a soccer ball, how would they feel?

Now check out this short video of a child opening a gift box. If your character had a special present to open, how would they feel?

Press the following tabs to explore the prompts and think about how your character would feel.

A key

You are a Grade 2 student. You are on a field trip with your class when you notice a shiny key on the ground. You pick it up and think about who it belongs to. Maybe the shiny key leads to something magical!

A shield

You are a brave knight. One day, you find a dragon coming towards your castle and you know you have to do something. Your friend hands you a shield to protect yourself.

A collection of art supplies

You are an artist who likes to paint. One day when you get home, there is a mysterious box on the table. You open it and find new art supplies! Wow!

Task 1: Props

Complete the following matching activity. For each scenario, select the corresponding prop. Think about what makes the most sense.

Task 2: Costumes

A child wearing a princess costume, playing in the woods.

Costumes are an important part of any drama story. Costumes give you information about what the character is about.

Explore this image and answer the following questions.

A child in a firefighter costume.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.

1. What is the character’s job? Can you tell by their costume?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn about what the character’s job is based on their costume.

The character is a firefighter. I can tell because they are wearing a fire jacket and a helmet.

Now let’s think back to Nalvana from What’s My Superpower?

A little girl stands on top of a rock proudly with her dog at her side.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

1. What do you notice about Nalvana’s costume?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn what we can notice about Nalvana’s costume.

Nalvana is wearing boots, a cape, and goggles.

2. How does Nalvana’s costume show who she is?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn about how Nalvana’s costume shows who she is.

Nalvana’s costume shows that she is a person with good imagination and determination.

3. How does Nalvana’s costume help her in the story?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn about how Nalvana’s costume helps her in the story.

  • It gives her confidence.
  • She likes wearing it.

4. Why do you think Nalvana’s costume is important to her?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn about why Nalvana’s costume is important to her.

Nalvana’s costume is important to her because she is trying to find her superpower, and having a superhero costume helps her feel like she will have one.

5. How does it help us predict what the story will be about?

Press ‘Answer’ to learn about how it helps us predict what the story will be about.

Nalvana wears a cape, which helps us know that she is interested in superpowers.

Now think about yourself. If you could wear a costume every day, what would you wear? What helps you? What is important to you? Record your ideas using a method of your choice. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.

Consolidation

Go!

Your turn

A little girl stands on top of a rock proudly with her dog at her side.

Nalvana’s superpower is “making people feel good about themselves.” What props could you give Nalvana, or what could you add on to her costume that would show her superpower? What would you give her?

Check out the following ideas:

  • a shield
  • a heart badge on her shirt
  • a happy face on her boots

Create a poster or give a presentation and explain why you would give Nalvana those props or add on to her costume. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.

Portfolio

Drama portfolio

Consider adding the answers to the following reflection questions to your drama portfolio.

1. How do you think props help you get into character?

2. Do you like using props? Do you have ideas for other kinds of props?

3. How do you think costumes help you get into character?

4. Do you like costumes? Do you have ideas for other costumes?

5. Name one thing you learned about drama today.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.