An End of the Year Drama Circle Activity

Drama circles! They bring out the risk taking, creativity in all kids and everyone has so much fun! These printable cards are just one of my drama circle activities that I use to practice the trans- disciplinary skills of cooperation, social and communication to name a few. One card begins the round and each child has to act out the instructions on their card, following on from the previous card. It is great for literacy centres activities as well as cooperative group work.
This drama was designed for my 3rd graders as a fun review of the speaking and listening strands. Thus also compatible with the CCSS ELA. There are numbered cards to help keep the younger kids on track and there are cards without numbers which I have used with my 5th graders to add rigour to the activity. The theme is around the end of the school year and has a lot of reflection as well as humour included.
Simply gather the children into a seated circle, shuffle the cards and distribute a card to each child. The start card leads the way and the children have to read their own instructions on their card and then listen and look for actions and words from the acting of each person so that they know when to take their turn.
This is developing listening and observational skills as well as communication, presentation and thinking skills. Not every card requires speaking; some ask only for miming. The cards marked with a star are less wordy and better to use with struggling readers or ELL kids. I usually review the card with those kids prior to the circle.
There are 32 cards within this packet and an instruction card. The drama cards can be used with 3rd-6th grade and used within a whole class scenario or smaller groups, where the children are given several cards to read and act from.
The concept of drama circles is a great ice breaker or a fun review of the IB skills and attitudes.
You can find more ideas and inquiry based activities on my blog at www.coolteachingtools.blogspot.com.
Enjoy!
~ Susan Powers