Arts-infused lessons offer learners an in-depth understanding of the curriculum while sparking curiosity, building empathy, and developing communication and teamwork!
Artists in Residence
Professional Teaching Artists work with teachers and schools to create classroom specific arts-integrated lessons on for all types of curriculum. No subject is off limits. Email Teralyn at teralyn@storytreetheatre.org for free consultation. We always offer free 1-day theatre lessons throughout the area, so teachers can see us in action.
Completed Arts-Integrated Lessons
These engaging plans put learning and creating in the hands of the students. Each lesson plan includes daily activities that combine standards-based curriculum and theatre. Students will research and explore concepts and vocabulary while developing writing and storytelling skills. Each lesson ends with student generated plays and performances!
Revolutionary War
This lesson explores the cuases of the Revolutionary War and introduces the elements of storytelling and playwrighting. It culminates with student-written plays that incorporate vocabulary and historical characters from the Revolutionary War
Explore our Historical Performances for other completed arts-integrated lesson plans (also available for download)! They provide great videos of how to perform a monologue while also giving historic lessons on iconic figures in society.
Classroom Activities
- Each player picks a spot in the play area and assumes the samurai position (arms crossed in an X in front of them).
- When the instructor says go, each player attempts to touch their "sword" (forearm) to the other player's body, moving VERY VERY SLOWLY.
- If a player is touched anywhere but their swords, they must die a slow and painful death (the more theatrical the better).
- The last player standing is THE WINNER!
Notes: any player moving faster than "slow motion" is immediately disqualified, at your discretion. Players can block each other's swords with their own swords, but blocking must also be in SLOW MOTION. Although there can only be one samurai left standing, you should also give awards for BEST/SILLIEST DEATHS. This is theatre after all.
- Teacher calls out an object, animal, etc. and students become it.
- Students are only allowed to use BODY and IMAGINATION!
Notes: this is the perfect game for teaching about animals and plant life in regions of the planet – the Rainforest, Tundra, Antarctica, etc. For more advanced versions, see the full instructiors.
- Players brainstorm examples of Character, Setting, and Problem.
- Players find their "spotlights." They must stay in their spotlight for the rest of the game!
- Call out Characters, Settings, and Problems from the list.
Notes: for level two, you can invite two students to perform characters from the list at a time while the other students guess. For level three, give the two actors characters, a setting, and a problem.
Check back soon for more games! We'll also start posting lesson plans, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and/or mailing list.