Winter Drama Adventures: Teacher Script

Introduction (10 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, aspiring actors and actresses! Welcome to our Winter Wonder-Land Wishes drama session! Today, we're going on an exciting journey to explore all the magic of winter holidays through movement, sounds, and imagination."

"Has anyone here ever pretended to be something or someone else? That's what drama is all about – using our bodies, voices, and imaginations to tell stories!"

"To get our bodies and minds warmed up, we're going to play a super fun game called Warm Up: Snowman Says!. Do you know how to play 'Simon Says'? This is just like it, but instead of Simon, our friendly Snowman will be giving the commands! If Snowman Says, you do it. If Snowman doesn't say, you freeze! Let's try it!"

(Lead the Warm Up: Snowman Says! game for about 5 minutes, ensuring everyone is moving and laughing.)

"Fantastic job, everyone! You are all excellent listeners and movers! Now, let's think about winter. What are some things you see, feel, or do during winter? What makes this season special?" (Pause for student responses, encouraging diverse ideas and mentioning different holidays as they come up naturally, e.g., 'Yes, snow! Building snowmen! Some people celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or just enjoy the cozy winter days!')

Story Time: The Snowy Day (10 minutes)

"What a wonderful variety of winter ideas! Now, I have a very special book to share with you, it's called Reading: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. It's a classic story about a little boy named Peter and his adventures on a very snowy day. Let's listen closely and imagine we are right there with him."

(Read Reading: The Snowy Day aloud with expression. After reading, facilitate a brief discussion.)

"Wow, what a lovely story! What did Peter do in the snow? What was your favorite part of his snowy day? How do you think Peter felt waking up to all that snow? What winter activities do you enjoy doing, just like Peter?"

Activity: Holiday Charades & Story Creation (20 minutes)

"Now it's our turn to be creative storytellers, just like Peter and Ezra Jack Keats! We're going to play a game called Activity: Holiday Charades & Story Creation. Does anyone know what charades is? That's right! It's acting something out without speaking, and others guess what you're doing!"

"I'm going to give you some winter holiday actions or objects, and you'll act them out. Think about how your body can show what you're doing or being. Let's try a few together first!"

(Lead a few whole-class charades, e.g., 'making a snow angel,' 'drinking hot cocoa,' 'decorating a tree.')

"Excellent! You're all natural performers! Now, here's the exciting part. We're going to use some of these ideas to create our own very short, simple dramatic scenes. We can work in small groups or as one big storytelling circle, depending on how you feel."

(Guide students to choose a winter holiday theme or a charade idea. Encourage them to think about a beginning, middle, and end, even if it's just 3 simple actions. Circulate and provide support and prompts. For younger students, keep it very simple, focusing on movement and sounds. For older students, encourage a simple plot and character.)

"Who would like to share their winter holiday scene with us? Remember, there's no right or wrong way to be creative!"

Cool Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

"Wonderful job, everyone! We saw so many creative ideas and fantastic acting today. To finish our drama adventure, let's take a moment to reflect."

"Can everyone think of one thing they really enjoyed or one new thing they tried during our drama session today? Share it with a partner next to you, or if you feel brave, share it with the whole class."

(Allow time for sharing.)

"Thank you all for being such enthusiastic and imaginative participants! Keep using your creativity and imagination every day. Happy winter holidays, everyone!"

Warm Up: Snowman Says!

Objective: Get students moving, listening, and following directions while introducing the winter theme.

Instructions:

1. Explain the game: It's like "Simon Says," but with a winter twist! The teacher will give commands starting with "Snowman Says." Students should only follow commands that begin with "Snowman Says." If the command doesn't start with "Snowman Says," students should freeze.
2. Encourage students to use big, expressive movements.
3. Start with simple actions and gradually increase complexity.

Examples of "Snowman Says" Commands:

• Snowman Says, touch your nose!
• Snowman Says, shiver like you're cold!
• Snowman Says, make a big snowflake with your arms!
• Snowman Says, stomp your feet like you're walking in deep snow!
• Snowman Says, hug yourself to stay warm!
• Snowman Says, slide like you're on ice!
• Snowman Says, build a pretend snowman!
• Snowman Says, blow on your hands to warm them up!
• Snowman Says, jump up and down with excitement for the holidays!

Non-"Snowman Says" Commands (for students to freeze):

• Wiggle your fingers!
• Pat your head!
• Spin around!
• Clap your hands! (Students should freeze if this is said without "Snowman Says")

Differentiation:

• For Younger Students (K-1): Keep commands very simple and clear. Focus on basic movements. Repeat commands if needed.
• For Older Students (2-5): Introduce more complex actions and faster pacing. Encourage more elaborate dramatic movements for the actions.

The Snowy Day

Based on the beloved book by Ezra Jack Keats

This reading provides a summary of the classic children's book. For the full experience, it is highly recommended to use the actual book.

One winter morning, Peter wakes up to find that snow has fallen during the night. The world outside is completely covered in a blanket of fresh, white snow!

Peter puts on his snowsuit and goes outside. He is the first one out! He makes a footprint in the snow, then drags his feet to make a long trail. He discovers how to make snow angels by lying down and moving his arms and legs. He even finds a big stick and uses it to knock snow off a tree, making it fall right on his head!

Peter makes a 'smushy' snowball, which he hides in his pocket to save for tomorrow. He slides down a snowy hill, pretending to be a mountain-climber, and then makes a big, happy snowman.

He wants to join some bigger boys having a snowball fight, but he knows he's too little. So, he continues his own adventures, making more footprints and trails.

When he comes home, he feels sad because the snowball in his pocket has melted. But after a warm bath, he looks out his window to see that the snow is still there. He drifts off to sleep, dreaming that the sun has melted all the snow. But when he wakes up, the snow is still outside! And more is falling!

Peter calls his friend to come out and play with him in the fresh, new snow.

Activity: Holiday Charades & Story Creation

Objective: Students will creatively act out winter holiday actions/objects and collaborate to create short, simple dramatic scenes.

Part 1: Winter Holiday Charades (10 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Explain charades: One person acts out a word or phrase without speaking, and others guess what it is.
2. Provide a list of winter holiday themed words/phrases. You can write these on individual slips of paper for students to pick, or simply call them out.
3. Encourage students to use their whole body and facial expressions to convey the idea.
4. Start with whole-class guessing, then for older students, you can divide them into two teams.

Suggested Charades:

• Building a snowman
• Drinking hot cocoa
• Decorating a Christmas tree
• Lighting a menorah (mimic candles)
• Opening a present
• Ice skating
• Sledding down a hill
• Baking cookies
• Singing carols
• Wrapping a gift
• Shoveling snow
• Making a snow angel
• Wearing a warm hat and scarf
• Drinking apple cider

Part 2: Winter Scene Story Creation (10 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Explain that students will now work together to create a very short, simple dramatic scene (a mini-play) based on a winter holiday theme or one of the charade ideas.
2. Option A (Whole Class - for K-2):
   • Choose a simple theme (e.g., "A Snowy Day Adventure," "Getting Ready for a Holiday Party").
   • As a class, decide on a beginning, middle, and end (e.g., Begin: Waking up and seeing snow, Middle: Playing in the snow, End: Going inside for hot cocoa).
   • Assign different actions or characters to various students or have everyone participate in each part as a group.
   • Perform the scene together, focusing on movement and sounds.
3. Option B (Small Groups - for 3-5):
   • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
   • Each group chooses a winter holiday charade idea or a simple theme.
   • Guide them to create a very short scene (2-3 minutes) with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
   • Emphasize teamwork and creative use of space and body.
   • Allow groups a few minutes to rehearse.
   • Have each group perform their scene for the class.

Key Points for Teachers:

• Emphasize that there are no wrong answers in creative play. Encourage all efforts.
• Provide positive feedback on creativity, teamwork, and expressive movements.
• Keep it light and fun! The goal is participation and imagination.