Minds On
Let’s warm up!
Warm Up
Warm up
Let’s take three big breaths in and out, together, counting to three to breathe in, and counting to three to breathe out.
If possible, this activity can be done standing up.
Access the next audio recording entitled “Three Big Breaths” to follow this exercise.
Three Big Breaths
Drama game
Let’s pretend!
Using an everyday object (such as a chair, a scarf, or a book), pretend that the object is something else entirely!
For example, a book might become a bird with its wings flapping. Use your imagination!
Let’s get started
Explore the following video to examine a drama performance of Disney’s Little Mermaid. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Record your ideas for the following questions using a method of your choice. Review the following definitions to guide you.
Press the following tabs to access the definitions for sound effects and costumes.
Sound effects are sounds other than a speech or music that are used in a play or movie.
Costumes are clothing that helps someone pretend to become a character. In a play, an actor also wears a costume to give the audience clues about their character.
Make a list of any sound effects you notice.
Press ‘Sample Answer’ to access a possible answer.
Sound of bubbles
What might the costumes tell you about the characters?
Press ‘Sample Answer’ to access a possible answer.
The characters in the drama performance are wearing brightly coloured costumes. This could mean that the characters are generally happy.
All the characters are also wearing different types of costumes. Different costumes show different people or creatures, so you know that there’s a lot of different characters.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Sound effects and costumes are two features of a drama performance. Each is important.
Explore both of the following tasks and choose one to complete.
Go!
Task 1: Sound effects
What are sound effects? Sound effects are a sound other than a speech or music that are used in a play or movie. Sound designers create sound effects to help the audience understand the setting of a drama production.
Explore the following audio recording of a sound effect. What do you think is the setting of this sound effect?
Sound Effect 1
Press ‘Sample Answer’ to access a possible answer.
The setting for this sound effect could be a restaurant, a cafe, etc.
Sound effects are created in many different ways. Some of them might be surprising.
Explore the following video entitled “The Magic of Making Sound” to explore how sound effects are made.
Consider the following questions:
- What do you notice the creators are using to make sound effects?
Press ‘Answer’ to discover ways in which the creators made sound effects.
The creators used gloves with paper clips, a feather duster, leaves, water, their shoes, and more!
- Why might sound effects be important in drama?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn why sound effects are important in drama.
Sound effects are important in drama because they help create the mood.
Creating a mood
Sound effects can be used to set the mood of a play or scene. The mood can change from play to play. Creating the mood is all about deciding how you want the audience to feel.
Explore the following audio recording of a sound effect and consider the following questions.
- What does this sound effect remind you of?
- What kind of mood does this create?
Sound Effect 2
Press ‘Sample Answer’ to access a possible answer.
This sound effect reminds me of a creaking door.
The creaking door sound makes me feel nervous.
Let’s explore the following audio recordings of two sound effects. After you have explored them both, compare the two of them and consider the following questions.
- What sort of mood does each sound effect create? Is it a different mood for each one?
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
Sound Effect 3
Sound Effect 4
Task 2: Costumes
Another important part of a play are the costumes. Costumes can help the audience understand who a character is.
Explore this video entitled “Costumes” to learn more about how actors use costumes to get into character.
Did you notice that by the end of the video Unshirley really got into her character? She made it believable that she was an astronaut on the moon.
After exploring the video, consider the following question.
- What did you learn about costumes?
Complete the Costumes Reflection Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to record what you learned about costumes. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
| I learned that costumes are: |
| An actor can use a costume to feel: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Costumes Reflection Chart.
Complete the following matching activity. For each image, select the corresponding costume character description.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Think about costumes you might have worn in the past and consider the following questions.
- Did they make you feel like the character?
- What would you like to try wearing in the future?
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
The BFG
Explore the following video of a drama performance of The BFG and answer the following question.
Do the costumes help you understand what is happening? How? Record your thoughts using a method of your choice. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Explore the following task options and choose one to complete.
Task 1: Sound effect fun
Explore the following audio recording with a sound effect or create your own! Use the sound effect to come up with the beginning of a story or play.
Sound Effect 5
You may use the following questions to help you set your story:
- How does the sound effect help create a setting?
- Who might the characters in the story be?
- What might the characters be doing?
Act out, draw, or record your ideas. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
If you are creating your own sound effect, access the following video entitled “The Magic of Making Sound” one more time to explore how sound effects are made.
Task 2: Costume fun
Create a costume for one of the following characters or come up with your own character.
- an astronaut who is stuck on the moon
- a teacher who is teaching underwater
- a scientist who created a jelly creature
Complete the Costume Design Template in your notebook or using the following printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.
Portfolio
Drama portfolio
If you were the director of a play, how would you use costumes and/or sound effects to tell a story? Record your thoughts in your drama portfolio.
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.