The Classroom is a Stage

Work together as a class to write a script for a play and act out each scene. Design backdrops on the classroom whiteboard! Simply erase and change "scenery" between acts!

• 1.

  With your classmates, select a book or play that you have studied and work together to write a script based on your selection. Alter the storyline in some way to make the script original. Perhaps you did not like the way the story ended—you can change it! If the story you chose is set in a different time period, you could modernize it! Be creative and have fun writing the script!

• 2.

  What jobs need to be filled to bring the script to life? Actors? Directors? Set designers? What other jobs can you think of? Make a list on the board, and decide as a class who will fill each role. Be sure to involve every student in the class.

• 3.

  How many scenes are in your play? Design a background for each scene. Sketch out each design using Crayola® Colored Pencils on white paper. On the classroom whiteboard, draw the first scene’s background with Crayola Dry-Erase Markers or Dry-Erase Crayons. Act out the play in front of the whiteboard! For each scene, simply erase the whiteboard and quickly draw the next background while the actors prepare for the scene!

Benefits

• Students work together as a class to rewrite a story with their own twist and transform the story into a play.
• Students examine the process of putting on a play and determine what tasks need to be completed before acting out the play.
• Students participate in the production of an original play.
• Students organize themselves and delegate tasks among the class.
• Students create original scenery to complement their script.

Adaptations

• Break the class into small groups, and assign each group a scene from a play to recreate and alter in some way. Each group will be responsible for their own script, costumes, and scenery. Act out each scene in front of the class and see if the story still
• Share your play with another class or grade. Can the students identify the original story on which your play is based? Do they recognize the changes you made?