Dramatic Arts Lesson Plan By Alison Peloso, Bryan Currie, and Kimberly Hughes for

The Recess Queen

A Picture Book by Alexis ONeill Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith

Story Summary
Mean Jean was Recess Queen and nobody said any different. Nobody could do ANYTHING on the playground until Mean Jean did it first and if kids ever crossed her, well, she was mean! UNTIL a new kid came to school

Curriculum Connections
Language Expectations 8e48 listen to and communicate connected ideas and relate carefully-constructed narratives about real and fictional events; 8e57 identify subtle effects in the dialogue in films or dramas; 8e50 contribute and work constructively in groups; 8e59 use tone of voice and body language to clarify meaning during conversations and presentations; 8a42 interpret and communicate ideas and feelings drawn from fictional accounts Dramatic Arts Expectations 8a43 create drama pieces, selecting and using a variety of techniques; 8a47 demonstrate understanding of the appropriate use of the voice, gestures, and the level of language in different dramatic situations; 8a49 write in role in various forms 8a52 identify and evaluate the variety of choices made in drama and dance that influence groups to make different interpretations or representations of the same materials; 8a59 organize and carry out a group improvisation;

Lesson Plans

Picture books can be used equally by Intermediate students as they can be by Primary students. In fact some picture books are written solely for an older audience. They are an excellent tool for Intermediate Dramatic Arts and Language programs. The following lessons can be adapted to Junior, Intermediate and Senior Grades.

Materials

Mean Jean the Recess Queen by Alexis ONeill Post it notes/pens 2 pieces of chart paper with figures drawn onto them Flashcards Overhead, markers and transparencies or chart paper

Warm Up Activities What are you doing? - Verbs/actions (see write up from when this activity was presented in class) Actions Charades- individuals do actions provided on flashcards and winner performs next word (bounce, kick, swing, hop, skip, jump, lift, play, push, smoosh, hammer, slam, growl, scare, run, charge, grab, snarl, breathe, pull, sing, stare, shout, giggle) See attached for flashcard blackline master.

Introductory Activity

Post 2 pieces of chart paper on the wall with the outline of a figure drawn onto each. On one write bully and on the other write victim. Students are each given a post it note and can write a word to describe each and, when they are ready, can put their post it notes on the chart paper figures. Generate discussion about the responses as a class.

Main Lesson

Read the book up to too new to know about Mean Jean Write a journal entry as Mean Jean (how does she feel at this point in the story) Divide the group into pairs and invite them to role play what they think happens next. Groups present after some time. Finish reading the book. Write a journal entry as Mean Jean after hearing the rest of the story.

Reflective Activities/Follow Up In partners or small groups, students take their journal writings and create a poem on chart paper or an overhead using the same type of print as is used in the book (larger letters, capitals, varied font and colour) to emphasize important words and convey particular sounds and emotions. Groups plan how they will recite their presentation and are given time to present.

Bully

Confused

Anger
Lonely

My Turf! Friends

smiley

Flying zooming fun!