Lesson One
Get all students to relax on the
floor, take as long over this as lesson
time allows.
Using imagination let them create their bedrooms around
them in their
minds eye. Question them on simple things like, type
of covers, carpet
colour, view from window etc.
This helps to improve concentration and helps them
focus.
Each pupil then is told to imagine that they are woken
by their radio
alarm with the following message (given by teacher
in role):
“The metreological office have
just informed us that a huge tidal wave/hurricane/earthquake is about to
hit the town/state/island of _____________and the world as we know it will
be no more. Would all
local inhabitants pack one small suitcase and go to
the airport where a specially designed shuttle will take you to a safe
planet, recently
discovered by our top scientists."
In mime each pupil packs the case and gets ready to
leave time out for discussion of what is in case and why teacher in role
then becomes
person in charge at airport the shuttle made from
chairs should be ready prepared with one to few seats for number in class
students asked to
board in orderly fashion only to discover one too
few seats -time out for discussion on how to solve the problem, rules I
insist on are that no one
can sit on anyone else’s lap, some groups ditch luggage,
some choose to
ditch people!
End lesson by telling everyone to come to next lesson
with clear outline of their character and why they should be allowed to
go.
Lesson Two
Start with recap of last week.
In groups of about six they reveal
their characters and why they should
be allowed to go.
Groups choose 4 of six that would be most useful to
New World.
Remaining few then try to justify a place on the shuttle.
Eventually all are allowed to go! If there is time
left the group should be taken on journey by relaxing on the floor as before
and imagining what
they find when the shuttle lands -time out to discuss
what the planet
looks like.
Lesson Three
Students will need pencil and paper.
Start with relaxation on floor and a recap about the
planet. Tell all
students to imagine that they are exploring the island
on their own, as
you take them around it stop and ask what they can
see. Suddenly they
meet an alien, they can see the alien but he can’t
see them, what is
he/she doing, what is he/she wearing, what does he/she
look like, are
they alone? Last thing the alien does is to look around
and look directly
at you so that face is clear. Run. Back in group circle
students will explain what their alien looked like, you might ask why they
ran away.
Everyone draws the alien and this can be used as a
base for masks if time
and facilities allow.
Lesson Four
Meeting an alien, it is realised
that the only way to live here is to get to know the aliens.
How do they greet each other, examine the ways humans
do, handshakes, kisses, hugs etc. In pairs explore how many ways you can
think of to greet each other that we don’t usually use. Choosing two favourites
each pair demonstrates, group as a whole chooses favourite to be alien
greeting. Everyone practices this. Language is the next problem – in pairs
choose
two sounds each and using only those sounds improvise
short scene about one of the following – a car accident, someone is lost,
buying a hat.
Watch these – how easy were they to understand?
If some were easier than others were, why? (body language,
facial
expression etc.) Choose a few sounds to make up alien
language
With partner improvise the first meeting – it may
go well
but it doesn’t have to.
Lesson Five
Sometime later – improvisation
in groups of four or five showing
how two groups now are living together – discuss options
for this.
They may get on well, humans may have taught aliens
English,
two sides may live together but apart etc. Watch improvisations
and
discuss realism of situations. This can be followed
up by reading the play Scapegoats which leads in nicely to work
on racial prejudice.
This fabulous plan was generously donated by Rose Farish.
You can reach Rose at: gollom@globalnet.co.uk
