Unit Guide

Storytelling that Develops Change Makers

Jamett L Garlick

This first grade unit has been created to blend Social Studies, the Arts and Common Core State Standards into what is known as the “Third Space” of learning. The unit will engage students in collaborative learning experiences that will enable them to develop theatre art skills, while delving into civics and economic social studies content. Students will be guided to awaken their artistic preferences as a means to express their understanding of content material. The unit is focused on exposing students to the theatre arts; more specifically, using drama as a means to retell and tell stories that address an overarching social justice issue. Using literature that focuses on the social studies content and social justice issues, students will create drama stories using a variety of techniques including, pantomime, movement, and puppetry to express their understanding. As a culminating activity, students will examine a school-wide community service project being sponsored, identify one of their own, and create drama stories of their own design and choice to explain the purpose and significance or impact of the service project being sponsored.