This 6 lesson scheme of work focuses on different well known fairy tales and ways of telling stories, and is an ideal introduction to Drama for KS2 or KS3 learners or to work with a lower ability KS3 group. The detailed lessons use Must, Should, Could learning objectives and would be useful to a non-specialist teacher. The scheme aims to develop pupils understanding of a variety of drama techniques as well as allow lots of opportunity to develop confidence in creating and performing. There are lessons on genre, writing in role, using freeze-frames, hot-seating and becoming news reporters live at the scene where a meteor has landed. I’ve included lots of resources for you including some that are differentiated.

This 8 lesson scheme of work explores the story and characters of Oliver Twist. Highly detailed lesson plans and resources will develop pupils understanding of a variety of drama techniques focusing on characterisation skills, as well as allow lots of opportunities to develop confidence in creating, performing and evaluating. This has been used with a year 7 group but would work with any KS3 group. There are lessons that allow pupils to use scripts, write their own scripts, improve and creating a sequence of freeze-frames to show off their non-verbal communication skills. I’ve included lots of resources for you including some that are differentiated for your learners to use so you can just enjoy teaching the lessons.

Students will explore a range of performance styles from around the globe, developing confidence performing as well as building their skill set for the subject. Areas covered are: Greek Theatre Chinese Theatre African Theatre French Theatre (mime) There are eight lessons in the scheme which can be extended to more depending on the time given for the assessment task. Links are given to all teaching materials or they are provided in the downloadable pack (stories, instruction cards etc). Students will enjoy looking at theatrical traditions and devices from other theatrical cultures and will be able to incorporate some of them in their own future work.Their assessment piece will be to choose an area they have enjoyed or want to extend their understanding by creating a performance using these skills and style, bringing to life a story that we will supply. Students will complete an extended piece of homework – a ‘Theatre Around the World Scrapbook’ that should be a creative and decorative piece that details their learning – there will be challenge tasks within this to stretch pupils. These will be used for display as appropriate. Please adapt this – and any other contents of this scheme - to whatever format is useful for your school.

A detailed powerpoint that will introduce KS4 or KS5 pupils to the work and ideas of Stanislavski. There are opportunities for practical activities within the powerpoint.

This scheme consists of 10 lessons that explore the text and themes of the well known play ‘Blood Brothers’. Pupils will develop their dramatic techniques and characterisation skills through these detailed and comprehensive plans. Activities include whole class/large group performance pieces, intense non-verbal communication exercises and the chance for your pupils to enjoy playing as seven year olds again. This scheme would be suitable for upper KS3 pupils or KS4 learners starting their GCSE course.

This 12 lesson scheme of work introduces pupils to the text ‘That Face’ by Polly Stenham . Developed with the old AS Edexcel unit 1 in mind each lesson focuses on skills e.g use of language, vocal awareness, non-verbal communication, as well as a design focus and deatiled practitioner (Stanislavski) lessons. Learners will be able to engage with the play and explore the context practically before beginning work on the new A Level work specification. Included are detailed lesson plans, resources and powerpoints to challenge and stretch your KS5 pupils.

The scheme of work explores the play text ‘Ruckus in the Garden’ by David Farr. ** "Ruckus in the Garden is a very funny look at the pressures of being a teenager in school today. The play is accompanied by teaching materials containing fantastic ideas for drama work, as well as other activities designed to answer English Framework and NC objectives. When Riverdale Comprehensive and St Nectan’s Grant Maintained find themselves in the garden of Cecil Fortescue on a school trip, a ruckus is inevitable. It’s customary that when these two schools meet , violence ensues; and many of the pupils are relishing the opportunity of a scrap. However magic and mystery wait amongst the topiary in the form of Cupid who brings about transformations and confusions, both romantic and hilarious. With a modern and accessible nod towards A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this play is a fast-paced, thoughtful and very entertaining look at the trials of being fifteen." This scheme is ideal for year 9 Drama students or as a introduction to GCSE as it explores character development and Stanislavskian techniques, staging types, genre and style with a focus on Frantic Assembly as well as a lesson on audience and intention. This scheme has 9 full detailed lesson plans (the assessment activity can be extended if needed), resources and ppts, all you need is the text. I’ve also included a home learning brief which develops pupils understanding of theatre design elements, again very useful prep for GCSE students. My students have loved the characters, themes and comedy of ‘Ruckus in the Garden’ and I’ve seen then make great progress as Drama students regarding their understanding of the different theatre makers, not just as performers. (The edition I refer to in my plans is from the National Connection 2007 book of plays.)

This 5 lesson scheme is complete with detailed lesson plans, power-points and resources to use. The scheme uses the characters and story of The Wind in the Willows and focuses on the role of the narrator with differentiated challenges for learners. There is also a script writing lesson that introduces pupils to the format needed for script writing. Various character development activities are included as well as a design element. It is suitable as an introduction to year 7 Drama and might also compliment any English lessons that use Wind in the Willows as a text to study. I have also taught it to ear 5/6 primary students as part of their Drama learning. I used the Alan Bennett adapted play text in a lesson, this resource is not included.

This six lesson scheme (complete with detailed plans, powerpoints and resources) is suitable for upper KS3 pupils. It introduces the genre of Melodrama incorporating the history, traditions and links to silent movies. Lessons include vocal and physical and skill development, script work as well as devising based on the genre conventions.

This KS3 resource is detailed document with nine tasks that can be delivered remotely, either online or in a classroom with desks if no Drama space is available. The aim of the scheme is to explore War Horse the play text, compare with the film, complete writing in role tasks, as well explore different theatre makers through design tasks. These tasks vary in the time needed to complete, and many will take more than one lesson, depending on your learners and the length of your lessons. The tasks include peer assessment and have sentence starters and questions to answer that develop subject vocabulary. The design tasks will develop students undertanding of a range of theatre makers as they design costumes, set and masks. A copy of the play text by Nick Stafford, and access to the Spielberg film are needed to complete tasks within this scheme of learning.

This detailed scheme of work is for KS4 Drama students starting their GCSE course - it aims that students will have an appreciation of the different purposes and intentions that theatre can be used for, and some experience of how they can go about achieving those intentions. It is a great scheme to start developing their devising skills. Students will be introduced to didactic theatre and how messages can be misread in order to identify effective ways in which to engage an audience. They will understand that the course requires that more than one type of audience be considered in both the study of a script and in the preparation and devising of drama. The primary focus will be on documentary theatre and will use the Titanic as a stimulus for a devised piece in this style shaping it to meet their intention and have the required impact on their audience. I have included a Titanic research booklet that my pupils completed prior to working on these lessons. There is also a home and class learning booklet for pupils to use as they work on this unit. The lessons are detailed with learning objectives, challenges and planning for progress aims. Powerpoints and resources are included.