2019/20 SEASON NUTCRACKER SUITE
LESSON 1: TELLING A STORY WITH PANTOMIME LESSON AT A GLANCE LESSON OBJECTIVE: Students will listen to the story of “The Nutcracker” and participate in a collaborative small group pantomime in which they will physically and emotionally act out a story to understand how dance uses movement to tell a narrative. DURATION: 45 mins MATERIALS: Picture book of The Nutcracker, Handout 1: Scenes from The Nutcracker STANDARDS: CCCS, ELA/Literacy: Reading Standards for Literature, Grade 5: 5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. CCSS, ELA/Literacy: Speaking and Listening Standards, Grade 5: 5.1 Engage effectively in a range of discussions with diverse partners on Grade 5 topics and texts, building on other’s ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS ELA/Literacy: Speaking and Listening Standards, Grade 5: 5.2 Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. CA VAPA, Dance, Grade 5: 2.5 Convey a wide range of feelings and expression through gestures, posture and movement. CA VAPA, Dance, Grade 5: 2.6 Demonstrate cooperation, collaboration, and empathy in working with partners and in groups. CONCEPTS/VOCABULARY: Ballet: A classic Western dance form that originated in the Renaissance courts of Europe. By the time of Louis XIV in the mid-1600s, steps and body positions were classified. Character: A person who is part of a story or drama. Dramatize: To present something in a dramatic way. Gesture: A movement of a part of a body, especially a hand or head, to express an idea or meaning. Setting: Where and when a story takes place. Theme: An idea, belief, message or lesson of a story that the author wants the reader to understand. Pantomime: Using body movement, gestures, and facial expression to communicate or tell a story. GUIDING QUESTIONS: How would you briefly summarize this story in words? Why is movement effective in telling a story?
THE BROAD STAGE AT THE SANTA MONICA COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER THEBROADSTAGE.ORG/EDUCATION 1310 11TH ST., SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 / 310.434.3560
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