Helping Each Other

Lesson Overview

This drama lesson is designed for Foundation Year students in Australia and aligns with the Australian Curriculum: The Arts – Drama (F-2) focusing on:

• ACADRM027: Explore role and situation by trialling different processes and techniques.
• ACPPS003: Identify people and actions that help keep themselves safe and healthy.

Learning Intentions:

• Students will explore how to ask for help when they feel unwell.
• Students will learn basic self-care strategies for when they feel sick.
• Students will engage in imaginative role-play as doctors, nurses, and patients.

Success Criteria:

✔ I can pretend to be a doctor, nurse, or patient in a role-play scenario.
✔ I can use polite and clear words to ask for help when feeling sick.
✔ I can suggest ways to take care of myself when I am unwell.

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Preparation (Before the Lesson – 10 Minutes)

1. Set Up a “Doctor’s Office”:
   • Gather props such as toy stethoscopes, bandages, clipboards, toy medical kits, and a waiting room chair.
   • Prepare labels for role-play stations: "Doctor’s Office," "Waiting Room," and "Pharmacy."
2. Prepare Role-Play Cards:
   • Create simple scenario cards like:
     • "You have a tummy ache. What do you do?"
     • "You have a sore throat. Who can help?"
     • "Your friend falls down. What should you say and do?"
3. Print Signs for Discussion: (large text for easy reading)
   • "Who can help when I’m sick?"
   • "What should I say when I don’t feel well?"
   • "How can I take care of myself?"
4. Gather Calm Background Music:
   • Have gentle instrumental music ready to set a calm yet engaging atmosphere.

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Lesson Structure (30 Minutes)

1. Warm-Up: Feelings & Body Check-in (5 min)

🟢 Discussion: "How do we know when we’re sick?"

• Ask students: "Think about a time you were unwell. How did you feel?"
• Display emotions cards (happy, sad, tired, sick, scared) and invite students to point to how they might feel when unwell.

🟢 Simple Actions:

• Ask, "What can we do to feel better?" Encourage simple responses like “drink water,” “rest,” or “tell a grown-up.”

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2. Introducing the Doctor’s Play (5 min)

👩‍⚕️ Teacher Models the Drama:

• Act out a short scene as a patient saying: “Oh no! I have a tummy ache! What should I do?”
• Invite students to answer, prompting:
  • "Who should I tell?"
  • "What might the doctor say?"
  • "What will help me feel better?"

🎭 Assign Roles:

• Doctors, nurses, and patients switch roles throughout the activity.

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3. Role-Playing Activity: Visit to the Doctor (15 min)

🔹 Step 1: Patients Describe Their Illness

• Each child pretending to be a patient picks a scenario card and describes their symptoms.

🔹 Step 2: Doctors & Nurses Respond

• The “doctor” asks simple questions like, "Where does it hurt?" and gives recommendations like:
  • "You need to drink some water."
  • "Get lots of rest."
  • "I’ll give you a bandage."

🔹 Step 3: Visiting the Pharmacy

• After seeing the doctor, patients visit the "pharmacy" (table with empty medicine containers or tissue boxes) to collect their "treatment" (pretend vitamins, tissues, or water cups).

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4. Reflection & Self-Care Discussion (5 min)

💬 Think-Pair-Share:

• Ask, “What did you learn about feeling sick today?”
• “How do we take care of ourselves when we feel unwell?”
• “Who can help us?”

✅ Closing Song: "Doctor Says..."
(Sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle")
"Doctor says rest, doctor says sleep,
Drink some water, something to eat.
Tell a grown-up, they will help,
We can all care for ourselves!"

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Assessment (Formative – Observation-Based)

🔹 Did students engage in role-play and use relevant language?
🔹 Could they identify who helps when they’re sick?
🔹 Were they able to suggest simple ways to care for themselves?

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Extension Ideas

🎨 Art & Craft: Draw or paint a picture of a doctor, nurse, or patient.
📚 Storytime: Read "Going to the Doctor" by Anne Civardi.
🩺 Guest Visit: Invite a doctor or nurse to speak to the class.

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Teacher Reflection

💡 What worked well? Did students stay engaged in their roles?
💡 What could be improved? Were any students unsure of how to ask for help?
💡 What is the next step? Practice more role-play with different health-related situations.

This interactive and developmentally appropriate lesson builds confidence in young learners, teaching them how to communicate their needs and take care of themselves when feeling unwell while having fun through drama. 🎭👩‍⚕️✨