Key Stage 1 Drama Lesson Ideas
By David Farmer
Key Stage 1 Drama Lesson Ideas
By David Farmer

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.

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.
Suggested Drama Activities
One-Two-Three - A quick and easy warm-up game which involves counting from one to three (encourages concentration!)
Drama Lessons – My 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 - Create tableaux of just about anything using this classic method.
The Mirror Game (Funnybones) - Teach coordination and cooperation in a fun way. (Played here with a spooky Hallowe'en twist!)
Story Books for Drama Teaching - Several storybooks which provide a 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 - 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 Drama Books
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.
Key Resources
Suggested Drama Activities
One-Two-Three - A quick and easy warm-up game which involves counting from one to three (encourages concentration!)
Drama Lessons – My 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 - Create tableaux of just about anything using this classic method.
The Mirror Game (Funnybones) - Teach coordination and cooperation in a fun way. (Played here with a spooky Hallowe'en twist!)
Story Books for Drama Teaching - Several storybooks which provide a 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 - 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 Drama Books
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.
Key Resources
