Dramatic Values Introduction

Year Level

Year 5–6 (ages approximately 9–11)

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

27 Students

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the role and significance of drama as a form of communication and expression.
• Identify and discuss key school values and reflect on how values influence behaviour and relationships.
• Explore ways to represent values creatively through drama.
• Demonstrate engagement and cooperation in group drama activities.

These objectives align with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh values and key competencies, particularly:

• Values: Integrity, community and participation, diversity, and respect for self and others
• Key Competencies: Relating to others, managing self, participating and contributing, and thinking critically and creatively
• The Arts Learning Area: Developing understanding and skills in drama as a form of storytelling and communication, engaging audiences, and working collaboratively

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Curriculum Links

The Arts – Drama (Levels 3 & 4)

• Goal: Students develop skills to express ideas and feelings through drama.
• Learning Outcome:
• Use drama to explore ideas and stories, including concepts about values and relationships.
• Participate in drama activities that require cooperation and communication.
• Key Competencies supported: Relating to others, Participating and contributing

Values Focus

• Recognise and explore the values upheld by the school community (e.g., integrity, respect, equity, community).
• Express ideas about values through creative drama activities, fostering empathy and understanding of differing perspectives

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Equipment / Resources

• Open performance area (circle or semi-circle seating)
• Whiteboard/flip chart and markers
• Cards or slips with key school values written on them (one per group)
• Simple props for drama (optional: hats, scarves, or symbolic items to represent values)
• Timer or stopwatch for activities
• Reflection sheets (simple guided questions for discussion)

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Lesson Plan Outline

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief, energetic physical warm-up to prepare students for active participation. Example:
• Go around the circle with a "name and a movement" introduction game to foster community and readiness.
• Emphasise respect and listening during this intro as part of the values theme.

2. Introduction to Drama (8 minutes)

• Discuss: "What is drama?"
• Facilitate a short whole-class conversation to gather ideas. Capture key points on the board (e.g., drama tells stories with actions, voices, and feelings).
• Highlight how drama lets us explore important ideas and show values through acting.
• Link drama to familiar experiences: stories, plays, films.

3. Exploring Core Values (10 minutes)

• Introduce the school's core values (e.g., integrity, respect, fairness, community). Display these on the board or projector.
• Divide students into small groups (4–5 students).
• Each group draws (or is assigned) a value card. Task: Discuss what the value means and think of a simple short story or situation that shows this value in action either positively or negatively.

4. Creative Drama Activity: Values in Action (15 minutes)

• Groups use drama to create and present a short 2–3 minute scene that shows their assigned value in action. This can be as simple as a freeze frame, tableau, or short role play with dialogue or movement.
• Encourage students to think about how to show the feelings and actions that reflect their value.
• Teacher circulates to support and encourage reflective thinking about how values shape behaviour.

5. Presentations & Group Reflection (5 minutes)

• Groups present their drama scenes to the class.
• After each scene, ask guided questions:
• What value did you see?
• How did the actors show that value?
• How do these values help us in our school and community?
• Encourage students to listen respectfully and share their thoughts.

6. Conclusion and Cool-Down (2 minutes)

• End with a calm group breathing exercise or quiet reflection to connect learners with the values explored.
• Summarise key points on drama and values, emphasising the importance of living these values daily.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation of participation, collaboration, and understanding during group activities.
• Use questioning during reflection to check for understanding of values and their representation through drama.
• Provide positive, specific feedback highlighting creative ideas and respectful participation.

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Teaching Considerations

• Ensure activities are inclusive and scaffold language and performance support as needed.
• Use clear, simple language when introducing concepts to meet diverse learners' needs.
• Encourage reflection on diverse values and cultural perspectives within the class community.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing ideas.

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This lesson provides an engaging, age-appropriate introduction to both drama as a performing art and the core values that the school community holds dear. The interactive drama activities cultivate students' abilities to communicate values through creative expression and collaboration, supporting the holistic development of the key competencies described in the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh.

Teachers are encouraged to maximise student voice and foster respect for differing viewpoints throughout the unit, which continues over eight lessons, progressively building skills in dramatic performance and values understanding.

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If you would like, I can prepare detailed lesson plans for the subsequent lessons in the "Dramatic Values in Action" series.