Key Stage 1 Drama Lesson Ideas
These fabulous ideas will help you teach drama at key stage one. Drama is a natural learning method for this age-group which makes it easy to teach using these methods. (For background theory, see our article Why Teach Drama?)
Funnybones– seven practical, fun and easy-to-do drama activities linked to the popular book, suitable for key stage 1.
The Tiger Child – five fun drama and storytelling activities suitable for reception and key stage 1.
The Gruffalo – fun lesson ideas for the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson.
Activities
One-Two-Three – A quick and easy warm-up game which involves counting from one to three (encourages concentration!)
Drama Lessons – a collection of drama lessons and units for primary-aged students, key stage one and two.
Ten Second Objects – I use this in just about every drama session – it’s great fun and only takes ten seconds!
Freeze Frames – this classic method can be used to create tableaux of just about anything.
The Mirror Game (see Funnybones) – this activity teaches coordination and cooperation in a fun way. (Played here with a spooky Hallowe’en twist!)
Story Books for Drama Teaching – a list of storybooks which can provide the launch pad for a one-off drama session or several weeks of work (key stage 1 and 2).
Bringing Fairy Tales to Life through Drama – how to use traditional stories as raw material for many drama sessions.
Sound Pictures – create a “soundscape” using children’s voices and bodies (and possibly musical instruments).
Recommended Reading
Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years by David Farmer – this ebook/paperback gives you all you need for teaching drama across the curriculum at key stage 1 and 2.
Drama Play: Bringing Books to Life Through Drama for 4 to 7 Year Olds by Kay Hiatt – a series of ready-planned drama lessons based on 12 readily-available books for 4-7 year olds.
Drama Games for Young Children by Katherine Zachest – 40 lesson plans for those wishing to develop dramatic role-play, characterisation, exploration of emotions and themes with young children.
Shakespeare’s Heartbeat – Drama Games for Children with Autism by Kelly Hunter – a fascinating book outlining an effective approach to teaching Shakespeare to children on the autistic spectrum.
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