Abby White
Creative Dramatics
Prof. Strode
Lesson Plan
March 1st, 2007

Creative Dramatics Lesson Plan
“Human Knot”

Step One: Preplanning, selection of topic, etc. 
•	Specific activity or technique:
“Human Knot”: Have put children into groups of 5-8 and then cross arms and hold hands. The children must be holding two different people’s hands.  Then children have to work in groups to be able to untangle themselves with out letting go of hands and then form a circle at the end. 
•	Theme: 
Working in groups. 
•	Source: 
Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1990/2/90.02.01.x.html#b
•	Drama/Learning Goals: 
For children to be able to work in groups through communication and cooperation. 
•	Skill Levels:
Skill Level One: Cooperation: “Members of the group should be able to work well together”
Skill Level Two: Concentration: “Members of the group should be able to focus or concentrate on individual and group activities.”

Step Two: Presentation of materials
•	Strategies for introducing the activity and establishing mood:
Today we are going to play a game called the human knot. Who knows what a knot is? (Have a child tell about a knot). 
•	Relationship to current unit?
Relates to chapter three: Working in Groups
•	Preparation and set-up materials:
No materials are needed. Have the play area be cleared of desks and chairs. 

Step Three: Discussion
•	Strategies for involvement:
Now to be able to play this game you guys need to all be quite and communicate with each other. Make sure that you are listening to your classmate when they are speaking. 
•	Instructions for preparation:
Have a few children clean off the play area if needed.

•	Instructions for playing:
*teacher assign children into groups of 5-7*
-Now with your groups, form a circle. Now put your hands out into this circle. Now you need to grab two different people’s hands. Ok now when I tell you to go, you are going to try to form yourselves back into a circle by holding the hands of the people that you are still holding right now. You can not ever let go of each others hands. If you guys let go of hands you must start over again. 
•	Check for understanding and clarity:
Ask for questions. You may have to repeat instructions. 

Step Four: Playing the material
•	Instructions: 
Remind of directions and/or give helpful suggestions during the activity. 
•	Side coaching ideas:
Suggestions or comments on the children’s play through key words such as “perhaps”.  
•	Your Participation:
You are side coaching all through out this game. Help groups of children when ever they look like they are getting stuck. But make sure that you do not tell them what to do. 

Step Five: Evaluation and Reflection:
•	Questions to generate discussion and reflection:
* What did you think was hardest part about this game?
* What do you think that you as a player could have done differently while playing?
* What could I as your teacher of done differently? 

* Indiana State Standards:
Standard 7
LISTENING AND SPEAKING: Skills, Strategies, and Applications
2.7.4	Give and follow three- and four-step oral directions
		2.7.6	Speak clearly and at an appropriate pace for the type of communication (such as an informal discussion or a report to class).