Week 1: Introduction to Non-Verbal Communication

Objective: To introduce students to the concept of non-verbal communication and its importance in drama.

Activities: 1. Icebreaker: Play a game of “Charades” to get students comfortable with using non-verbal communication. 2. Discussion: Lead a class discussion on the different forms of non-verbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures. 3. Mime Workshop: Invite a professional mime artist to conduct a workshop on mime techniques and non-verbal storytelling. 4. Improvisation: Divide students into pairs and have them create short improvisations using only non-verbal communication.

Week 2: Body Language and Facial Expressions

Objective: To explore the use of body language and facial expressions in conveying emotions and messages.

Activities: 1. Warm-up: Lead a physical warm-up session focusing on body awareness and control. 2. Emotion Exploration: Assign each student an emotion and have them create a short solo performance using only body language and facial expressions to convey that emotion. 3. Group Tableau: Divide students into small groups and have them create tableaus depicting different scenarios or emotions. Other groups must guess the message being conveyed. 4. Silent Scene: In pairs, students create a silent scene using only body language and facial expressions. They must convey a clear beginning, middle, and end without using any words.

Week 3: Gestures and Sign Language

Objective: To explore the use of gestures and sign language in non-verbal communication.

Activities: 1. Gesture Exploration: Lead a class discussion on the different meanings and cultural interpretations of gestures. Have students create a list of gestures commonly used in their own culture. 2. Sign Language Workshop: Invite a sign language instructor to teach students basic sign language phrases and gestures. 3. Group Skit: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a scenario. They must create a short skit using gestures and sign language to communicate the story. 4. Silent Debate: Divide the class into two teams and assign them opposing viewpoints on a controversial topic. Each team must present their arguments using only gestures and sign language.

Week 4: Non-Verbal Storytelling

Objective: To apply the knowledge and skills learned throughout the unit to create a non-verbal storytelling performance.

Activities: 1. Storytelling Workshop: Invite a professional storyteller to conduct a workshop on non-verbal storytelling techniques. 2. Story Creation: In small groups, students create a short story that can be told entirely through non-verbal communication. 3. Rehearsals: Give students time to rehearse and refine their non-verbal storytelling performances. 4. Performance Showcase: Invite other classes or parents to a performance showcase where each group presents their non-verbal storytelling piece.

Assessment: - Participation in class discussions and activities - Performance in improvisations, solo performances, and group skits - Creativity and storytelling skills demonstrated in the final non-verbal storytelling performance.