Creating Conflict in Drama

Lesson Overview

This lesson focuses on the concept of conflict in storytelling, an essential element of drama. Students will explore conflicts from Roald Dahl's stories and brainstorm their own scenarios to ignite creativity and develop their skills in character and plot development.

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

7 students

Learning Objectives

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

1. Identify different types of conflict in Roald Dahl's stories.
2. Create original conflict scenarios inspired by Dahl’s work.
3. Develop short scenes based on the conflicts they have identified or created.
4. Analyse and discuss the significance of conflict in their scenes.

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 Drama, specifically:

• Drama and Theatre: Understanding and applying the basic elements of drama (including conflict, characterisation, and narrative structure).
• Literature: Engaging with texts, analysing themes, and expressing personal responses.

Resources Needed

• Roald Dahl's short stories or excerpts
• Whiteboard and markers
• Pens and A4 paper
• Scenario prompt cards
• Props for improvised scenes (hats, scarves, etc.)
• Timer

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Warm-up Activity:

  • Lead the students in a quick drama warm-up to energise them. Use a “One Word Story” technique where each student adds one word to create a collective story, emphasising unexpected turns to highlight conflict.

• Discussion:

  • Briefly introduce the concept of conflict, asking students what they believe it is, and discuss its importance in stories. Guide them towards understanding how conflict drives drama.

2. Exploration of Conflict (15 minutes)

• Group Reading:

  • Divide students into pairs and provide them with short excerpts from Roald Dahl's stories. Ask them to identify the main conflict in their assigned excerpt.

• Sharing Insights:

  • Regroup and ask each pair to present the conflict they discovered, encouraging others to ask questions. Make notes on the whiteboard highlighting various types of conflict (e.g., character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. society).

3. Brainstorming (15 minutes)

• Conflict Creation Activity:

  • Give each student a prompt card with a specific scenario starter (e.g., "A child discovers a hidden talent," "Two friends compete for the same prize"). Instruct them to develop a conflict around that scenario individually.

• Pair Share:

  • Have students pair up to share their conflict ideas, encouraging constructive feedback. Prompt them to consider how different conflicts can arise from similar situations.

4. Scene Development (15 minutes)

• Scene Creation:

  • Each student will choose a conflict scenario (either their own or one from a peer) and develop a short scene (approximately 2 minutes) that showcases this conflict. Encourage them to think about characters, settings, and dialogue.

• Rehearsal Time:

  • Allow time for students to practice their scenes in pairs or small groups, providing guidance as needed.

5. Performance and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Sharing Scenes:

  • Invite students to perform their scenes for the class. Allow for a quick discussion after each performance on how the conflict enhanced the drama and what they felt worked well.

• Reflection:

  • Conclude by discussing how conflict can be a powerful tool in storytelling. Encourage students to think about how they can utilise conflict in their future creative writing and performances.

Assessment and Feedback

• Observe student engagement and participation during discussions and activities.
• Provide verbal feedback during the scene performances, focusing on creativity, understanding of conflict, and teamwork.

Adaptations

• For students needing additional support, provide graphic organisers to help map out their ideas for conflicts and scenes.
• Challenge more advanced students to layer in subplots or develop dual conflicts within their scenes.

Extension Activities

• Encourage students to write a short story using their conflict as the basis and include a description of how their characters resolve the conflict.
• Set up a “Conflict Wall” in the classroom for students to pin up different conflicts they've read about or created throughout the unit.

This lesson plan aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of conflict as a driving force in drama, creating an engaging and educational experience for all participants.