Year 8 Drama
READING TASKS
Private Peaceful
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful is a novel for older children by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 2003.
It is about a soldier called Thomas "Tommo" Peaceful, who is looking back on his life from the trenches of World War I in France.
His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
His Dark Materials is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman consisting of Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. It follows the coming of age of two children, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they wander through a series of parallel universes.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
A full nineteen years has passed since the climactic finale of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Voldemort is a shadow of the past; Harry Potter himself is now a burdened employee at the Ministry of Magic, the wizarding triumphs of his youth seemingly shelved for the demands of family life. Once again, the vaulting arches of Kings Cross become the gateway to wild adventure as young Albus Severus Potter – Harry’s now second son – boards a waiting Hogwarts Express, prepared to fulfil his own destinies.
WRITING TASKS
A Monologue
Write a monologue based on a character you have encountered so far this term in your drama lessons.
Be as creative as you can.
Don't forget to use your English skills.
How to Act
Create a 'How To Act' leaflet for someone that has never done drama before.
Write about GEMS, working in groups and performing.
The theatre and its purpose
Answer the question;
'What is the purpose of the theatre?'
Write a Scene
Write a scene that focuses on two lovers that cannot be together. This should be set in modern society.
Discuss - Shakespeare today
The work of Shakespeare is not relevant to the youth of today. Discuss.
Write your response to this in an essay or if you prefer display it in a mind map.
WATCHING TASKS
Theatre Trip
Watch a performance at a theatre and write a short review for a fictional magazine.
- What did you like?
- Who stood out in the performance? Why?
- What star rating would you give the show?
Romeo & Juliet
Watch 'Romeo and Juliet' directed by Baz Luhrmann and evaluate the performance of the actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.
How believable is his acting? Why?
CREATIVE TASKS
News Show
Get together in a group and create a news show style performance linking to a story in the news this month.
How will you work together to show the key facts of the story?
Create a sequence
Create a repeated patterns style movement sequence in a group of at least three people.
Take inspiration from the ones you worked on in the scheme of learning at the start of the year.
STUDENT LED TASKS
Theatre Genres
Use the website DialectsArchive to research a genre of theatre.
Use the genre in a drama lesson performance.
Romeo & Juliet
Perform a scene from Romeo & Juliet that you have not already looked at in class.
Which scene will you chose?
How can you show the relationship between the lovers?
Perform a Monologue
Perform a monologue as either Romeo or Juliet.
Explain how you feel about not being able to be with your true love.
How does this make you feel?
What do you plan to do?
