Exploring Summer Emotions

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Context and Curriculum Links

Subject: Drama
Class: First Class (6–7-year-olds)
Duration: 40 minutes
Class Size: 19 students
Theme: Summer
Curriculum: Irish Primary Curriculum - Drama Strand & Strand Units (Visual Arts and Drama Curriculum, SPHE connections possible)
Specific Reference:

• Drama Strand: Dramatic Play and Improvisation
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Drama Strand Unit: Create and make drama - pupils will explore and express ideas, action, and language imaginatively in a dramatic context. (Strand Unit 4)
  • Strand Unit: Developing cognitive and social skills through dramatic activities, including group work and reflection.
  • Language Development: Use drama to develop listening, speaking, vocabulary, and storytelling skills.

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Lesson Overview

In this engaging drama class, pupils will explore the theme of Summer by using two drama strategies: Still Image and Thought Tracking. The activities develop imaginative expression, empathy, collaborative skills, and language development through physical and vocal expression.

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Curriculum Links – Learning Objectives

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Create and freeze still images to express different summer experiences, feelings, and emotions.
• Use thought tracking to articulate characters’ inner thoughts in a summer-based dramatic context.
• Develop storytelling vocabulary linked to summer scenes.
• Collaborate effectively with classmates in small groups, enhancing social and communication skills.

WILF (What I’m Looking For):

• Pupils create clear and recognisable still images showing summer moments.
• Pupils give thoughtful, creative ‘thought tracked’ vocalisations reflecting character feelings.
• Use new vocabulary related to summer and emotions appropriately while speaking.
• Actively listen and respond to peers during drama activities.

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Key Vocabulary and Language Development

• Vocabulary: sun, beach, ice-cream, holiday, swim, picnic, sunshine, hot, happy, excited, calm, surprised
• Language Functions: Describing feelings, expressing thoughts, giving reasons, storytelling
• Literacy Development:
  • Speaking and listening develop narrative skills and conversational turn-taking.
  • New vocabulary acquisition through drama context enhances oral language.
  • Encouragement to use full sentences during thought tracking and class discussions.

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Equipment / Props (EPK)

• Printed picture stimulus (colour photo of children enjoying a sunny summer day at the beach or park)
• Scarves or lightweight fabric to represent summer elements (e.g., "water," "heat waves," "gentle breeze")
• Large open classroom space arranged for movement and group work

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Details	IE Curriculum Links
0-5 min	Engage/Stimulus Introduction	Show pupils a colour image of children enjoying summer outside. Discuss briefly: What can you see? How do you think they feel? Introduce key summer vocabulary.	Language development: oral language and vocabulary; Strand Unit: Talking and Listening (Language)
5-15 min	Still Image - Summer Scenes	Pupils form small groups (4-5 pupils). Each group chooses a summer moment (swimming, eating ice cream, playing in sunshine). Groups create a frozen still image showing this moment. Teacher models "freezing" poses and facial expressions.	Strand Unit: Creating and Making Drama; Language: Expressing ideas; Social & Emotional Development
15-25 min	Thought Tracking - Voices from the Image	While groups hold their still image, teacher taps a pupil to step forward and ‘speak aloud’ the inner thoughts of their character using "I feel…" or "I think…". Others can elaborate if time allows.	Language development: Speaking and listening; Emotional literacy; Strand: Developing Imaginative Expression
25-35 min	Class Sharing & Vocabulary Extension	Groups present their still images and thought tracks to the class. Teacher encourages use of new vocabulary. Peer pupils listen actively and give positive feedback (verbal or thumbs up).	Social Development: Listening Skills, Empathy; SPHE connections; Literacy: Narrative skills
35-40 min	Conclusion – Cognitive & Social Tasks	Cognitive Task: Pupils individually draw or write one new word they learned related to summer or how a character might feel and say why.
Social Task: Pupils reflect in pairs on how teamwork helped create their summer still image and thought track. Share one way they supported each other.	Cognitive: Reflection and vocabulary retention; Social: Collaboration, Respecting others' ideas; Strand Unit: Reflecting on Drama

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Assessment Strategies

• Formative: Teacher monitors pupil participation during still images and thought tracking for understanding of emotions and vocabulary use.
• Peer feedback during class sharing reinforces comprehension and listening skills.
• Exit task: Vocabulary word with reasoning provides evidence of language and cognitive understanding.
• Teacher anecdotal notes on social interaction during pair reflection.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Support pupils who may be shy by allowing a choice of simpler or non-verbal thought tracks (e.g., one-word feelings).
• Provide additional vocabulary visuals for EAL or emerging language learners.
• Encourage bodily expression to support pupils with speech or language difficulties.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did pupils demonstrate understanding of summer emotions and vocabulary via physical and vocal drama?
• How well did pupils cooperate in small groups and listen during peer presentations?
• Were pupils able to articulate internal thoughts using thought tracking effectively?
• How did the stimulus support imagination and engagement with the summer theme?

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This lesson harnesses creative drama strategies aligned to the IE Curriculum framework, integrating literacy and social development. It fosters imaginative play, empathy and language skills in a fun, age-appropriate format centred on pupils’ lived experiences of summer.