This series of 11 drama lessons outlines an extended improvisation project for 8th grade students. The project aims to reintroduce students to drama conventions, develop characters and plotlines through improvisational exercises prompted by a stimulus, and culminate in assessed group performances of improvised scenes. Early lessons focus on warm-up games and discussion of improv techniques, while later lessons emphasize character development, rehearsal, and exploration of plot structures in preparation for the final performances.

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Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson 1
Aims: To re-introduce conventions and expectations of Drama lessons
To introduce project
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Re-introduce class to Drama dept.
 As this is yr 9, and many students will not be considering
Drama as a GCSE option, take the opportunity to go through
the reasons for continuing to study Drama – compile a class
list – “Why Study Drama?” on board. Students should record
this in notebooks.
 Go through rules & regulations.
40
mins
 As a way to re-introduce class to Drama, play a selection of
Drama games and impro activities. Suggestions:
 Fruit Salad
 Who Began
 Whizz, Whoosh, Bang
 Wink Murder
 Make a…
 Machines
10
mins
 Discuss the impro project with class – find out what sort of
improvisation work they have already done and what they
know about how impro works.

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Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson 2
Aims: To begin improvisation project
To encourage class to develop ideas based on given stimulus
Resources: Preferred main stimulus for project.
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Explain aims of project again
 Make sure class understands that lessons will lead to one
assessed performance, which will be more substantial than
performances they have attempted in Drama lessons before.
40
mins
 Introduce class to stimulus.
 Related activities
10
mins
 Discussion & feedback
H/W Keep record of ideas so far. Expand upon thought from lesson.
Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson
3
Aims: To continue improvisation project
To develop ideas and characters
Resources: A3 paper
Felt pens
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Re-cap of last week
 Introduce/stress importance of characters
40
mins
 Work on characters/characterisation
 Related activities
10
mins
 Discussion & feedback
H/W Keep record of ideas so far. Expand upon thought from lesson.

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Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson 4,
Aims: To continue improvisation project
To develop ideas, characters and plot
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Re-cap of last week
 Explain focus for lesson
40
mins
 Main focus: To introduce Rehearsals and how to create a
rehearsal schedule.
 Related activities
10
mins
 Discussion & feedback
H/W Keep record of ideas so far. Expand upon thought from lesson.
Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson
5,6
Aims: To continue improvisation project
To introduce Rehearsals
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Re-cap of last week
 Explain focus for lesson
40
mins
 Main focus:
 Related activities
10
mins
 Discussion & feedback
H/W Keep record of ideas so far. Expand upon thought from lesson.

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Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson
7,8,9
Aims: To continue improvisation project
To develop ideas, characters and plot
To rehearse for assessed performance
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
10
mins
 Re-cap of last week
 Explain focus for lesson: Plot structure
40
mins
 Main focus: explain plot structures and why we should have
various structures and for what reasons.
 Rehearse the improvised ideas and plots
 Related activities
10
mins
 Discussion & feedback
H/W Keep record of ideas so far. Expand upon thought from lesson.
Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson
9-11
Aims: To perform project pieces
To assess performances
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
5 mins  Final preparations
50
mins
 Each group to perform piece.
 Assess according to N.C Levels
5 mins  Discussion & feedback. Encourage self-assessment

5. Copyright © 2005 www.englishteaching.co.uk + www.english-teaching.co.uk
Grade 8 – Extended Improvisation: Lesson
Aims: To perform project pieces
To assess performances
Resources:
Time Activity Notes
5 mins  Final preparations
50
mins
 Each group to perform piece.
 Assess according to N.C Levels
5 mins  Discussion & feedback. Encourage self-assessment