Session 5: The reality

PDF file: Drama lesson ideas

Session outline:

• Recap of previous lesson.
• The teacher has two options for teaching this lesson.
• (The teacher chooses which option depending on the confidence of the class and teacher to handle the briefing after the Tunnel exercise. In classes where children may have real day-to-day experience of overt sectarianism Option 1 might be a touch too close to the bone. Some children might understand the true nature of being on the receiving end of sectarian bullying therefore sensitivity is required in the choice of options.)

Option 1 - The reality

• Children are asked to walk around the space and sit down. The children are asked to adopt a role with a certain prejudice from the work covered so far. They are then asked to close their eyes and think of one sentence 'in-role' that would be upsetting to another person of a different group.
• Once they have a sentence they are asked to stand up at the count of three and say their sentence with emotion (pupils may be upset by this so take time to prepare them at the beginning that this is a lesson about harsh issues).
• Next, the children are asked to mime their sentences, in order to emphasise the subtleties of the issue (associated body language, facial expressions).
• The children are then asked to form a 'tunnel of abuse' - they stand in a straight line, with another line facing them. The remaining children are then asked to walk through the tunnel whilst the children in the lines speak out their sentences. The children then change places and repeat the exercise.

Option 2 - The concept.

• The teacher asks the children to sit down, close their eyes and think about what they have studied so far in the previous lessons.
• Think about the effects of sectarianism.
• Focus on the language that is used.
• Focus on the body language and the actions taken.
• You are a passer-by and witness to an incident. What role do you honestly play?
• Children discuss and jot down their ideas, views etc.
• After this, ask for feedback and provide a debriefing. This is a tough subject and you respect that children may have found the lesson difficult - but this is a daily reality for some people!
• Children split into groups to work on their projects.

Learning 0utcomes - by the end of the session children will (lesson 5):

• Develop reading skills, research note-taking (newspaper articles).
• M & M - movement appropriately in space.
• Investigating - use language in movement, space and other resources in new and invented ways.
• Using language - show awareness of audience.

Extension activity

• Children jot down what they have done in their journal.

HEALTH WARNING!

• Be aware of language and class dynamics.
• Be aware of time on each activity.
• Be free to move around the classroom after the exercise to create harmony.
• Make sure there is a proper de-briefing after the 'tunnel' exercise.