Drama
On this page you will find ideas, activities and websites related to Drama to keep you occupied at home and feel inspired by engaging in some creative and fun activities.
Have fun and please make sure you tweet us what you get up to at our @BWPSArts Twitter page
Miss Lynch
At Brompton Westbrook Primary School, we recognise that Drama is a vital part of the Primary Curriculum as it provides a means of expression, growth and challenge for all children.
Drama provides opportunities for our children to explore, express and communicate their feelings whilst gaining experiences of the wider world. It enables children to explore their own cultural values and those of others, past and present. It encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning.
The National Curriculum states:
“All pupils should be enabled to participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama. Pupils should be able to adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role. They should have opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of audiences, as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.”
Our aim to inspire children to be confident in the art of speaking, listening and performing and be able to present their work and ideas with pride. Children should be encouraged to have an appreciation of their own work and others, whilst always demonstrating respect and empathy.
We also aim for all pupils to leave Brompton Westbrook Primary school as confident, social and imaginative individuals, with an understanding of performance and presentation skills.
The Drama Journey
Children begin their ‘Drama journey’ in EYFS where they are given opportunities to be imaginative and recreate roles and experiences with their peers. These ideas are encouraged by developing children’s communication skills and social behaviour, as well as relationships that will improve their social wellbeing and health.
This Drama journey continues through Key Stage 1 where the content is set out in the National Curriculum (2014). Children have opportunities to engage in a range of creative and imaginative role play situations, on their own and with others. Through these activities, they can explore a range of cultural topics, share ideas and respond to thoughts in a safe environment.
Another key aspect to Drama, is the contribution it gives to enhancing the quality of pupils’ writing by providing opportunities for pupils to develop and order their ideas through playing roles and improvising scenes in various settings.
In Key Stage 2, children build on what they have learned in Key Stage 1. Children should become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.
The national curriculum for Drama aims to ensure that all pupils:
Understand and use the conventions for discussion and debate.
- Participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama
- Be able to adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role
- Be given opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of audiences
- Share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.
National Theatre and RSC Resources
National Theatre's Learn at home initiative includes lots of useful resources for teachers, parents and carers whilst home learning.
Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have a selection of resources to support teachers and inspire pupils – check it out!
EARLY YEARS ACTIVITIES:
Why not try and transform your home into a brand new environment to play in? You can explore different professions without leaving your home! Think about the language, gestures, and facial expressions you may want to use in the different roles. Here are few examples:
Environment |
Roles |
Resources and props |
School |
Teacher, Pupil, Head teacher, Teaching Assistant |
Whiteboard, pen, pencils, books, story books, lanyard, register, laptop |
Doctor Surgery |
Doctor, Nurse, Receptionist |
Teddies, stethoscopes, x-ray images, telephone, clipboards, paper and pencils, |
Superhero call centre |
Superhero, Receptionist |
Phones, keyboards, maps, pens and pencils, superhero cloaks, hand print code entrance |
Post Office |
Receptionist, Postman/Postwoman, Delivery driver |
Letters, envelopes, stamps, pencils, post box, till, labels, post-it notes |
Museum |
Receptionist, Tour guide, Customer |
Posters, magnifying glasses, clipboard, lanyard, camera
|
Shop |
Shop keeper, Customer, |
Objects to sell, a till, money, telephone, lollipop sticks to create labels and signs, . |
8 Drama Games you can play at home with your family: https://www.teachstarter.com/gb/blog/drama-games-lesson-ideas-activities-for-kids-k-3-gb/
KEY STAGE 1 ACTIVITIES:
BBC School Radio Interactive drama series which foster pupils’ confidence in speaking and listening. The Series consists of 8 stories:
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- The Musicians of Bremen
- The Hare and the Tortoise
- The Magic Porridge Pot
- Aladdin
- Cinderella
- Billy Goats Gruff
- The Enormous Turnip
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g64rh
5 Ways you can incorporate drama skills into daily activities around the house: https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/west-end-features/5-drama-activities-to-keep-the-kids-entertained-at-home
KEY STAGE 2 ACTIVITIES:
The Sutton Hoo Treasure Ship
A two-part interactive drama exploring the Anglo-Saxons from the archaeological discovery at Sutton Hoo. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02gb2p4
The Great Fire of London:
Take on the role of first visitors to a new virtual reality exhibition about the Great Fire of London. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g6h73
Eyam, The Plague Village:
Explore the extraordinary events in 1665 – when the plague came to the Derbyshire village of Eyam through the eyes of two children. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g6h72
Rocking Romans! Musical
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/music-drama-dance-history-ks2-rocking-romans-musical-play-index/zm84cqt
8 Drama games to help ignite imagination and inspire creativity: https://www.teachwire.net/news/8-drama-games-for-primary-kids-to-ignite-imagination
SHADOW PUPPET THEATRE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF-G0zvYOLU - Where the Wild Things Are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqzv162GBWg - Jack and the Beanstalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9WxliX61po - The Hungry Monster
FREE STAGE PERFORMANCES:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04kcstx Cbeebies on Stage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnKlnBrT8c Beauty and the Beast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-gLbgpzCc8 Aladdin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgL3vp8bEK0 - Frozen (Disney Cruise)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftl120E21WQ Greatest Showman Medley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFiQWzU5wSQ - Tangled (Disney Cruise)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewOAsUWQJvo The Lion King – Circle of Life
STAGE PERFORMANCES TO RENT:
https://www.willowsmusical.com/ The Wind in the Willows
https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AW7NO6WP-LB9wKsiIRZW Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Ballet
https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AW2GtINipx3F9_4Aqet9 Peter Pan