Making a Drama out of Grammar (2)

Word sculptors

Take a single word and sculpt a range of meaningful messages!

This simple drama and creativity idea is targeted at UKS2 learners to encourage them to manipulate simple present tense sentence structure.(You could use this in KS3 as a transferable learning tool to engage pupils in work with different tenses , more complex sentences and unfamiliar language that they have to put into a new context).

In KS2 the new DfE POS expects young learners to..... 

 "understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including(where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English."

These ideas below are all part of the same lesson and children working in groups of four will explore how a single word can be used in a variety of contexts and using different sentence structure to convey different meanings. The children need to create interesting structures and performances so just like sculptors they create meaningful and creative spoken sculptures.Below is a chart I have created to explain the four elements of each group's language and drama activities. Each group should be given the same noun on which to base their language work. At the end of the group work , when groups share their work,part of the discovery will be to see how the different groups have used the same noun with different language and in different contexts and performances.  

 How do you achieve this?

1. Each group should be given the same familiar or unfamiliar noun.Allow the groups access to a bilingual dictionary if necessary.       
2. Ask each group to discuss and write the following:

• A sentence using the noun
• A question and answer using the noun
• A simple description with adjectives in a full sentence or sentences using the noun.
• Three  command statements using the noun

3.  They must then become the "creative sculptors". Each group must divide themselves in to two pairs and each pair is responsible for two parts of the sculpture

• A spoken sentence portrayed by different emotions several times , so the meaning changes slightly
• A question and answer that is animated and delivered by two children in character
• A simple spoken description that has added colour using actions,movements and percussion backing music.
• A three line command rap   

4. Allow the groups  time to refine their performances and to memorise their spoken language. Ask the groups to create a visual display of the language contained in their four performances. They must all freeze frame (in character) whilst one pair performs part of their word sculpture… each group must be in a freeze frame related to their performances.
5. Now they must perform  for the class. How many different performances using the same noun have the class created?