Winter Wonderland Wonder! Script

Introduction (1 minute)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on a magical journey into a Winter Wonderland! We're going to use our imaginations and our bodies to explore the wonders of winter and the fun of the holidays. Get ready to move, create, and tell stories without words!"

Warm-Up: Frosty Freeze Dance (5 minutes)

"Let's get our bodies ready with a Frosty Freeze Dance! When the music plays, I want you to move around the room like you're playing in the snow. Maybe you're a snowflake gently falling, or a brisk wind blowing, or even a happy little penguin waddling! But here's the frosty part: when the music stops, you need to freeze in a winter pose! Maybe you're a snowman, an ice skater gliding, or someone shivering in the cold. Ready? Let's go!"

(Play winter-themed music. Observe students and encourage creative movement. Stop music and prompt them to freeze. Repeat 2-3 times.)

"Fantastic poses, everyone! You're already becoming amazing winter characters."

Story Time: The Snowy Day (10 minutes)

"Now, let's gather around. I have a wonderful story to share called 'The Snowy Day' by Ezra Jack Keats. It's about a little boy named Peter and his adventures after a big snowfall. As I read, I want you to close your eyes sometimes, or just imagine very carefully: What do you see? What do you hear? What might Peter be feeling?"

(Read the book expressively, pausing occasionally to ask questions like:)

"How do you think Peter felt when he woke up and saw all that snow?"
"What kind of sound would your boots make walking in deep snow like that?"
"Can you imagine sliding down a hill? What does that feel like?"
"When Peter put the snowball in his pocket, what do you think he was hoping for?"

Creative Movement: Peter's Journey (15 minutes)

"That was a lovely story, wasn't it? Now, let's become Peter and experience his snowy day with our own bodies! I'll describe some of Peter's actions, and I want you to show me with your movement. Remember, no talking, just showing!"

"First, Peter walked through the deep, deep snow. Can you show me how you would walk if the snow was up to your knees? Really heavy, slow steps! Show me your face. Is it focused? Excited?"

"Next, Peter made a long, long track in the snow. Can you glide and trace a path with your body?"

"Then, he saw a big, high hill and went sliding all the way down! Show me your speedy slide! Whoosh!"

"Peter made a snow angel. How would you carefully fall into the snow and move your arms and legs? Be gentle and graceful."

"And remember the snowball he saved? He put it in his pocket, hoping it would stay. But when he looked later... it was gone! How would Peter show he was surprised or a little bit sad that his snowball melted? Show me with your face and body."

"Excellent work, everyone! You truly brought Peter's story to life."

Activity: Snow Day Adventure! (10 minutes)

"Now it's your turn to create your own snow day adventures! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will get a few simple props like scarves or hats. Your challenge is to create a short, silent scene showing a different winter holiday or snow day activity. You could be:

• Building a giant snowman!
• Having a playful snowball fight!
• Finding a lost little animal in the snow!
• Decorating a tree for the holidays!

"Remember to use your bodies and faces to tell your story. Work together, listen to each other's ideas, and be creative! You have about 7 minutes to plan and practice, and then we'll share quickly. Go to your groups!"

(Circulate among groups, offering guidance and encouragement. Remind them to be silent and focus on movement and expression.)

"Time to share! Let's see your wonderful snow day adventures!"

(Have each group quickly present their tableau or movement sequence.)

"Amazing storytelling without words! You all did such a great job collaborating and expressing yourselves."

Cool-Down: Winter Reflection (5 minutes)

"Let's bring it back together now. Find a comfortable spot to sit quietly. Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable."

"Think about all the different ways we moved and imagined today. What was your favorite part of our 'Snow Day Adventure'?


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"How did you use your body or your face to show what your character was feeling or doing?


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"Now, let's do a quiet cool-down stretch. Imagine you are a snowflake, slowly, gently floating down to the ground. Stretch your arms up, then slowly lower them, letting all your energy float down. Feel calm and still, just like a quiet snowy landscape."

(Guide them through a few gentle stretches, encouraging slow, mindful movement.)

"Thank you for being such wonderfully imaginative and expressive actors today! You made our Winter Wonderland truly special!"

Frosty Freeze Dance!

Objective: To energize students and activate creative movement skills while connecting to a winter theme.

Instructions:

1. Music On, Move Around!

   • When the music starts, move your body around the room like you are playing in a winter wonderland!
   • You could be a snowflake, a brisk wind, or even a happy little penguin.
   • Use your whole body to show different winter movements!

2. Music Off, Freeze!

   • When the music stops, FREEZE in a fun winter pose!
   • Think about a character or object from winter:
     • A snowman standing still and tall.
     • An ice skater gracefully balanced.
     • Someone shivering in the cold.
     • A tree covered in snow.

3. Repeat!

   • We will play several rounds. Try a different freeze pose each time!

Teacher Notes:

• Play upbeat, winter-themed instrumental music.
• Encourage students to use a variety of movements and expressions.
• Praise creative and detailed freeze poses.

Snow Day Adventure! Group Activity

Objective: Students will collaboratively create a short, silent dramatic scene using movement and expression to depict a winter holiday or snow day adventure.

Materials: Simple props like scarves, hats, soft balls (for pretend snowballs) (optional).

Instructions:

1. Form Your Teams!

   • Get into small groups (3-4 students per group).

2. Choose Your Adventure!

   • As a group, decide on one winter holiday or snow day adventure to act out. Here are some ideas:
     • Building a giant snowman!
     • Having a playful snowball fight!
     • Finding a lost little animal in the snow!
     • Decorating a tree for the holidays!
     • Opening presents on a holiday morning!

3. Plan Your Scene (Silent Planning!)

   • Work together without talking (use gestures and whispers if needed for very quiet planning) to decide:
     • Who will be which character (if any).
     • What actions will happen.
     • How you will use your bodies and faces to tell the story.
   • Remember to use what we learned from Peter's journey!

4. Practice Time!

   • Practice your short scene. Make sure everyone in your group has a role and knows what to do.
   • Focus on clear movements and expressive faces, since you won't be using words!

5. Share Your Adventure!

   • When it's time, your group will silently present your snow day adventure to the class. Let your movements and expressions tell the story!

Winter Reflection: Cool Down

Objective: To help students reflect on their learning and creative experiences during the lesson and transition to a calm state.

Instructions:

1. Find Your Quiet Space:

   • Gently find a comfortable spot to sit quietly on the floor. Take a few deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2. Think and Reflect:

   • Close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or simply look down at your hands.

   • Think about our drama lesson today. What was your favorite part of our 'Snow Day Adventure' activity?
     
     
     
     
     
     

   • How did you use your body or your face to show what your character was feeling or doing without using any words?
     
     
     
     
     
     

   • What is one new thing you learned about using drama to tell a story?
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Snowflake Stretch:

   • Imagine you are a tiny snowflake at the very top of the sky. Slowly, gently, stretch your arms up towards the ceiling, reaching as high as you can.
   • Now, slowly, slowly, begin to float down to the ground. Let your arms fall gently, your body relax, until you are completely still, like a quiet blanket of snow.

Teacher Notes:

• Encourage quiet contemplation during the reflection questions.
• Remind students there are no right or wrong answers, just personal thoughts.
• Lead the snowflake stretch with slow, calming movements.