Here is a chance to share a chapter of Carlo Collodi’s original story and at the same time get a little creative drama going with your students! Included below is a famous scene from the book (and the Disney movie) when Pinocchio visits the Marionette theatre.
Procedure
- Read the chapter aloud once.
- Discuss who the characters are, where the story takes place and what the central problem of the chapter is.
- Explain to your students that they are going to create frozen images or statues of the
characters and the action of the story!
Drama Exploration
- Guide students to find their own place in the room or to stand close to their own desks. On your cue (‘Freeze!’), guide students to shape their bodies like each of the characters. As they create, encourage them to use more of their body to express something unique about each character.
- ‘Pinocchio. 3, 2, 1, Freeze!’
- ‘The Marionettes. 3, 2, 1, Freeze!’
- And, so on.
Story Drama
- Guide students to pair up.
- Tell them that you will read it again, pausing to have them create frozen pictures of important moments in the chapter.
- As you read, pause at any moment you feel has strong drama in it.
- Give the student pairs 15-20 seconds to talk about their idea.
- ‘Show that moment. 3, 2, 1. Freeze!’
- If desired, have students share their frozen images.