Students will demonstrate their ability to use various vocal techniques such as tone, rate, pitch, volume, enunciation, and projection by creating a script with characters and sound effects for a radio drama and then performing them as a group.
Learning Level:
Drama 1 (created for a middle school class with mostly 8th graders plus a few 7th and 9th)
Prior Experience:
Half the students already knew about plot structure and some of the basic vocal traits and techniques. Two students were more advanced. The rest of the students have never taken a drama class before.
National Arts Standards for Unit:
Standard 7–8.T.CR.3: Use form and structure to create a scene or play with a beginning, middle, and end that includes full character development, believable dialogue, and logical plot outcomes.
Standard 7–8.T.P.3: Observe, listen, and respond in character to other actors throughout a scripted or improvised scene
Standard 7–8.T.CR.4: Define roles, identify responsibilities, and participate in group decision making.
Standard 7–8.T.CR.5: Explore physical, vocal, and emotional choices to develop a performance that is believable, authentic, and relevant to a drama/theatre work.
Standard 7–8.T.CR.5: Create and sustain a believable character throughout a scripted or improvised scene.
Standard 7–8.T.CR.7: Recognize that participating in the rehearsal process is necessary to refine and revise.
Standard 7–8.T.P.5: Communicate meaning using the voice through volume, pitch, tone, rate, and clarity.
Standard 7–8.T.P.6: Use imagination to inform artistic choices.
Standard L1.T.R.8: Apply appropriate theatre terminology to describe and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of own or the group’s work.
Enduring Understandings:
Theme, plot, and acting choices all come together to tell a story.
Objective: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of plot structure as they outline and label the elements of dramatic structure in their own radio dramas.
Objective: Students will gain an understanding of how to write a clear script that follows a pre-set format as they begin writing their radio drama scripts.
Objective: Students will demonstrate an ability to incorporate technical elements into a performance as they write sound effect cues into their scripts and find ways to produce those sound effects in a performance.
Objective: Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to revise a script based upon personal analysis and feedback as they revise and turn in their short-film scripts.
Lesson Objective: Students will be able to understand the principles of projection as they participate in classroom activities including a game of bus stop.
