Reading and performing a script based on 'Charlotte's Web'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read and respond to a play script based on 'Charlotte's Web' and perform it in front of an audience.
Key learning points
- A play is a written text that is acted out by actors in a live performance.
- Actors, directors and a stage crew work together to prepare and rehearse a play ready for performance.
- Play script conventions help the actors and the director bring the dialogue and action to life.
- Performance techniques that help actors connect with the audience can be learnt, practised and developed.
Keywords
Play - a written text intended to be performed in front of an audience that is divided into scenes of dialogue and action
Play script conventions - rules that are followed by playwrights to write play scripts that are clear and easy to follow
Performance techniques - the ways an actor uses their body, voice and facial expressions to bring a character to life in a play
Common misconception
Pupils may think that they are either 'good' or 'bad' at acting.
Ensure that pupils know that **performance techniques** can be learnt, practised and developed and that 'real' actors work hard on their craft.
Teacher tip
Use acting lessons like these in conjunction with developing pupils' awareness of **growth mindset** - the idea that we all, children and adults, can get better at certain things by practising and adopting a positive attitude.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the gap. 'Plays are most often performed in ...'
Q2.Match each stage of preparing a play with why we do it.
to understand the story and learn our lines
to practise where we'll stand, how we'll move and how we'll speak
to entertain an audience
Q3.What does a director do?
Q4.Fill in the blank. 'Putting on a play involves a lot of ...'
Q5.True or false? 'If something is live, it is happening right now.'
Q6.Which is the correct spelling?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which three of these would always be involved in getting a play ready to perform to an audience?
Q2.Match the play script convention to its function.
the name of the play
a section or chunk of a play
the name of a section or chunk of a play
Q3.Match these play script conventions to their functions.
the words a character says, both to themselves and to other characters
what the actor reads to know when they should speak as their character
an instruction to an actor for how to speak or move in character
Q4.Fill in the gaps. '__________ __________ are the way actors learn, practise and develop their voice, their body and their movements.'
Q5.True or false? 'Performance techniques cannot be practised. You are either good at using your voice and body, or you are not.'
Q6.Fill in the gap. 'The main job of a director is to give actors helpful __________ for how they can improve their performance.'
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Reading and performing a script based on 'Charlotte's Web', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Reading and performing a script based on 'Charlotte's Web', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Reading and performing scripts unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.