Name of Project: Creating Scenery and Props for the play "Star Search."
Classroom, School: Clara Barton Open School in Minneapolis
Cooperating teacher: Jane Spicer
Grade Level: 1-2nd grade
Presenter's Name: Elisa McBrayer
Subject: Theater and Art
Curricular Link: Creative Writing and Mixed Media Collage
Topics: Creating theatrical scenery and props collaboratively, rehearsing lines and presenting in front of a crowd.
Visual Elements: Painting a set of backdrops and decorating costumes and props.
Skills development
Working collaboratively, stamping, painting, and performance skills.
Key Knowledge and Applications:/h2>
Paint application, memorizing lines, and role play.
Prior Knowledge
The plot of the play, and small familiarity with paint, brushes, and stamps.
Objectives
- Students will learn how to create a collaborative piece successfully.
- Students will learn how to refine stamping and other decorative techniques.
- Students will make their own play scenery, props, and costumes.
- Students will gain an understanding of how art plays a role in a theatrical production.
Materials
For a class size of 20-30 students
three black queen size sheets
tempera paint of assorted colors
a pack of fifty small paintbrushes
15 cardboard stars
tarps
yarn
rags
hole puncher
water buckets
homemade solar system stamps
Teacher vocabulary
(put on chalk board)
stamping, canvas, sponging, working in layers, legible writing, working collaboratively
Focussing Attention
"To have the best play possible, it is really important that we all work together."
Learning Activities
- Stamping quadrants of the backdrop with partners.
- Demos on application of paint and stamps.
- Working in painted layers for some props and costumes.
- Rehearsing lines, and performing them in front of a crowd.
Feedback activities
The actual presentation of the play to an audience.
