Students compare two characters and role-play how they would perform various actions.
Grades: K-3
Resource:
Two Gals
Suggested Uses:
- Drama: Role-play different characters.
- Dance: Use the opening activity with music as a movement exercise.
Teaching Concepts:
- Actors can show what characters are like through movements and actions.
Academic Content
- Drama: literary and performance elements
- Creative Dramatics: role-playing
- Drama: observing and creating characters
- Culture: Appalachian folktales
Lesson Idea
Open: Tell students that you will do something and they should do the opposite. For example, if you stretch out long, they should crouch in a ball. Here are a few things you might do: Fold your arms tight, spread your arms wide, reach for the ceiling, touch the floor, wiggle, and stand still.
View: “The Two Gals.”
Discuss: The differences between the two girls in the video. Think of opposite descriptions for them, such as lazy/hard-working, nice/mean, and greedy/generous.
Expand: Use descriptive words to role-play the two characters. Put different actions on slips of paper in a jar and have students draw an action to role-play as both a lazy and a hard-working person. Other students in the class guess the activity and character. Actions might include sweeping the floor, washing windows, and getting out of bed. For non-readers, whisper the activity and character description.
Author: Mary Henson