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SAMPLE LESSON PLAN -

Storytelling, Music and Drama for 4th Grade Unit on India

Teaching Artist: Debbi Arseneaux

Contact: administrator@storytapestries.com. 301-916-6328

DC Common Core Standards: 4 th Grade ELA

Key Ideas and Details RL.4.2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the

text.

RL.4.3. Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions)

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

RL.4.7. Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

RL.4.9. Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

SL.4.5. Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

L.4.5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA

Theatre Arts Skills:Students will... Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative nature of theatre Understand the job of an actor is to tell a story and that body, voice, mind and imagination are the

actor’s tools with which to do this job Demonstrate understanding of basic story structure (beginning, middle, end, action,

conflict/resolution) by exploring folklore of a focus culture Explore basic story elements (i.e. environment, character) using body and voice Individually and collaboratively develop dramatic presentations Incorporate visual arts elements to enhance story presentation Demonstrate audience skills of observing attentively and responding appropriately in classroom

presentations

Life Skills:Students will... Respect peers and their opinions Develop creative thinking and problem solving skills Develop active listening and concentration skills Increase their comfort level contributing to a group project in a creative way Use imagination

Guiding Essential Questions: 1) What do character actions tell us about their personalities?2) How do we find clues about character traits in a story?3) What can we learn about Indian culture from folk tales?

MATERIALS images of Gujarat (smartboard) CD of Indian music Book – Indian Tales fabric instruments from India Drums – one djembe for classroom, each student will also brings in a recycled/found object to

make their own patterned paper/fabric, scissors, glue, stickers, etc to decorate student drums

VOCABULARY Navarati – Hindu festival which celebrates the “divine Shakti.” Fast all day, dance all night. Diwali – the Festival of Lights, one of the most important festivals in Indian culture. Henna – intricate temporary tattoos Pakoras – deep fried vegetables, fritters Gujurati – people of Gujarat

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA

Lesson #1 of 6Tues, May 8

Intro & Story

GOALS 1. Introduce teacher and establish objectives2. Know where India is on a map and identify state of Gujarat3. Be able to identify main idea of story 4. Be able to identify the job of an actor: to tell a story!

PROCEDUREWarm ups

Process storytelling performance Introduce Ago Ame Name Game with rhythm Actor's Toolbox (Body, Voice, Mind, Imagination)

Activities It Could Be... Read story & discuss Play wedding music and move to it

Closing Discussion: what would YOU want more than anything?

Follow up classroom activity: Create a drawing of your idea of a traditional American wedding. Flip it over and draw what you imagine a traditional Indian wedding to look like. Compare and contrast.

Lesson #2 of 6Fri, May 11

Tableaux/Movement

GOALS 1. Review story sequence2. Use body to explore key moments of story 3. Use body to explore character traits & relationships4. Know the characters of the story

PROCEDURE Warm ups

Review Actors Toolbox (Today's focus: body) Teach Bollywood style dance moves and dance.

Activities Review story. Sequence using images from book. Highlight key elements: plot/setting/characters. What is a tableau? Create a tableau for each of the key

moments of the story. Identify the characters necessary for each tableau.

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA

“The Drummer Boy”from Indian Tales: A Barefoot Collection

1) Ghopal lives with his mother in a village in the state of Gujarat.

2) Ghopal encounters a potter lady with a hungry child.3) Ghopal sees a woman upset because she broke the pot

she needed to collect water.4) Ghopal passes a rich merchant who admires his

shawl.5) Ghopal comes upon a wedding.6) Ghopal goes to market.

Closing Create a pose for each of the characters in the story.

Lesson #3 of 6Tues, May 15

Drumming

*bring in drum and instruments

GOALS1. Explore Rhythmic patterns, call & response2. Use body to make choices about communicating story 3. Review story sequence4. Have hands on interaction with culturally appropriate

instruments and music

PROCEDURE

Warm ups Actor's Toolbox Machine

Activities Bring out drum. Rhythm call & response. Use hand clapping

as example. Lead a few examples, then let them take turns playing and leading.

Develop drumming song from story. Review scene sequence using images from pages...use

drumming song to transition Introduce additional instruments. If time, listen to wedding music and tap out beat on body,

play along with bells.

Follow up classroom activity: Take wedding compare/contrast drawings and expand into a mural we can use as a backdrop for the final presentation.

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA

Lesson #4 of 6Fri, May 19

Sensory Exploration/Environment

GOALS 1. Use voice and body to explore world of the story2. Learn about the climate of Western India

Gujarat is dry in the north and moist in the south. Three seasons: winter, summer, monsoon

3. Develop ways to enhance storytelling by making physical and vocal choices.

PROCEDUREWarm ups

Actors Toolbox Environment Orchestra. Start with familiar environments,

move into India.

Activities Create each location physically WITHOUT people. (village,

stream, market) Find places that sounds could be added NOT WORDS OR

MUSIC. (pounding flour, pot breaking, child crying, stream, horse)

Expand music and dancing at the wedding.

Lesson # 5 of 6Tues, May 22

Build a Drum/Prep for presentation

GOALS 1. Create a visual art project to enhance presentation of story 2. Begin to prepare for final presentation

PROCEDUREWarm ups

Actors Toolbox Set up guidelines for project (drums OFF, share materials, if

finished before others, go work on mural)

Activities Decorate found object drums. Sequence the story with everyone using their own drums for

the drumming song. Identify all story elements as a group. Decide and assign who will present each scene in the story.

Combination of tableaux and key lines.

Follow up classroom activity: Finish decorating drums.

Lesson # 6 of 6Wed, May 23

Prep for presentation

GOALS Prepare for final presentation Demonstrate understanding of main idea of story, sequence

of key events, and traits of main characters. Perform as storytellers for an audience of peers.

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA

PROCEDURE

Warm ups Give everyone a chance to lead a drumming dance party.

Activities Run through presentation with fabric, instruments and drums.

*SEE APPENDIX: Drummer Boy Script for Culminating Performance Script (developed to match the size of a particular class)

Story Tapestries – Debbi Arseneaux - 4th Grade – INDIA