Matt Sparks

Title:

Acting Out Historical Events

Introduction:

It is somewhat difficult to remember all

the happenings of certain events from throughout history, but

it can be made much easier if you act out what you have learned

about some of them.

Grade Level(s):

4

^th

and 5

^th

Length:

1 ½ hrs.- more if possible

Performance Expectations:

The student will take part in research, with three to four other

students, on a given historical event including the people, places,

and cultures that were involved in it, and prepare a short skit

to perform in front of the rest of the class.

Materials:

Library access for research, script writing materials, any costumes

and props that the students chose to use

Procedures:

Introduction:

Group students randomly in groups of four or five and give each

one a historical event to research. "Today you will find

information on the topic that I gave your group. By Friday you

will have written a script for a short skit and performed it for

us.

Development:

Allow students 30 to 40 minutes of library time to get enough

material on their topics to write a 3 to 5 minute skit. Give them

time during class to get together in their groups and work on

writing their scripts. It may also be beneficial to give each

group an example of a script for them to follow. Help the students

with ideas to use for costumes and props if they want to use them.

When they are finished writing their scripts, have each group

make a final copy of it to turn in when they perform their skit.

On the last day or two days of the week, allow each group 3 to

5 minutes to perform their skit in front of the rest of the class.

It is not necessary to grade them on their ability to portray

certain characters from history, instead look to see if they portray

the event correctly according to histories standards.

Closure:

Record each group’s skit on video tape, if possible, and show

them back to the class to allow them to see their own performances.

Have each group critique the others on an evaluation sheet that

you use yourself to grade them with.

Assessment:

After all the skits have been performed, create a question sheet

based on the material that all the groups covered and see how

well the class as a whole performs on it. The teacher should

also be sure to develop a checklist of criteria to look for in

each skit, and make it a point to let the groups know that they

will have to include certain information.

Adaptations/Extensions:

Allow extra help or time for any group that has difficulty due

to having an event that may be difficult to portray in such a

short skit. Make sure you have all coed groups and that each

group involves women characters in their skit.

References:

3

^rd

grade teacher Mrs. Parker, Ridgeview Elementary,

Warrensburg, MO

High School German teacher Frau Hyde, Kamiakin High School, Kennewick,

WA