Objective:
The student will be able to write and perform a short skit with a fish theme.
Materials Needed:
Activity:
Have students view a video of a performance of a children’s story (such as any video from the Faerie Tale Theatre series — probably available at the local library or could be rented from a video store). After a discussion about some of the basic elements to be found within a play, list these elements on the board so students can refer to them as they write their play. Some questions to ask are:
1. What makes a good play?
2. What did the characters do that made you believe the story?
3. Why do you think that costumes are important to a play?
4. How do you think someone starts to write a play?
5. What do you think would be a good plot for a play? (Let students brainstorm!)
Challenge students to create an original skit that has a fish theme. Students could work in small groups to come up with ideas that will be shared with the class. Some possibilities for plots include (but are certainly not limited to!):
The setting for the play could be inside an imaginary aquarium, with everyone dressed in fish costumes or fish hats. One of the fish could be a student who is having difficulty with a particular subject, and the other fish help the “student fish” get excited about that subject.
The students could read or watch a video of a famous fish story (such as The Little Mermaid, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or The Old Man and the Sea) and write their own creative drama of these stories. (Encourage any students who have special musical or dance talents to compose a song or choreograph a dance.)
If students have trouble with the structure of a play, encourage them to experiment with an “Improv” a style, where the format is much looser and even a little slapstick. Perhaps the main character could be kid trying to pick a new fish for his/her home aquarium at the local pet store. The other students in the skit are different species of fish who run in from offstage and plead with the kid to pick them instead of the others.
Result:
Students will have a very rewarding cultural arts experience when they write, produce and perform a skit, complete with simple props and costumes. Parents and other classes could be invited to observe the fish play.
