A collection of writing frames for GCSE drama AQA 8261 for section B and C for the written paper. Please feel free to adapt as necessary to your chosen texts as section B for me was Blood Brothers and section C was the Woman in Black.

A useful worksheet to plan your technical requirements for any production.

A one hour year six transition lesson to introduce students to the world of drama as they start their journey at secondary school. This lesson will introduce student to the department, behaviour expectations in the studio and practical team buildings exercises such as catch my name and getting to know you.

A great powerpoint which contains ten different drama games and warm ups that can be used in a range of different scenarios to hook your students as they enter or even leave the drama studio. Drama games and warm ups contained in this powerpoint include: Activity one: Stuck in the mud. Activity two: The floor is lava. Activity three: The ten objects. Activity four: The living museum. Activity five: Grandmother’s footsteps. Activity six: Wink murder. Activity seven: The chieftain’s table. Activity eight: Getting to know you. Activity nine: Chair train. Activity ten: Law and order. All of these games have clear visual instructions for the students and teacher to follow and most contain sound effects to build the environment needed to play them within.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Ancient Rome with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Rome through their culture, how they worshipped different Gods, how they structured their settlements and how important the Mediterranean sea was to their civilisation and we will also examine the story of Romulus and Remus. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Rome through another story called the myth of Jupiter and the Bee which is one of the most influential myths in Ancient Rome. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Rome through another story called the myth of Apollo and Cassandra which is one of the most influential myths around truth and prophecy. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Rome through another story called the myth of Pluto and the river styx which is one of the most influential myths around the underworld. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Rome through another story called the myth of Hercules and Cerberus which is one of the most influential myths around commitment and strength. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on selecting, rehearsing and performing their chosen story from ancient Rome based on the selection of myths from this module.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on ancient Egypt with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Egypt through their culture, how they worshipped different Gods, how they structured their settlements and how important the river Nile was to their civilisation and we will also examine the story of Ra and how he created the universe according to the ancient Egyptian’s. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Egypt through another story called Isis and Osiris which is one of the most influential myths in Ancient Egypt. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Egypt through another story called Horus and Set which continues the story of Isis and Osiris from last lesson as Horus seeks revenge for the treatment that Set has befallen on his father Osiris. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Egypt through another story called Anubis a death myth whereby Anubis is tasked with taking the dead souls to the underworld and overseeing the weighing of the heart. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to understand ancient Egypt through another story called the princess of Bekhten whereby a God saves a Princess from death. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on selecting, rehearsing and performing their chosen story from ancient Egypt based on the selection of myths from this module.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on introduction to comedy with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to understand what comedy is as a genre and the style of comedy known as deadpan. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand another style of comedy known as Commedia Dell’Arte from the 16th century. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to develop our knowledge and ability to convey the physicality of the main characters in Commedia Dell’Arte who are the merchants and the lovers when creating an improvisation inspired by the comedy art form. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to consider how to create successful physical comedy through the use of slapstick. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to consider how to create successful comedy through the use of improvisational or stand-up comedy. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on one style of comedy for their end of unit assessment for this module.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Exploring theatre practitioners with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to understand Brecht through his key styles and methodologies for producing performances such as Epic theatre. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to apply key styles and methodologies from Brecht through producing a performance based on Epic theatre and the fairy tale the Ugly Duckling. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to understand Berkoff through his key styles and methodologies for producing performances such as Total theatre. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to apply key styles and methodologies from Berkoff through producing a performance based on Total theatre and the play text the Trail. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to understand Frantic Assembly through their key styles and methodologies for producing performances through the Frantic Method. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on one of the theatre practitioners studied this half term either Bertolt Brecht, Steven Berkoff or Frantic Assembly for an end of unit assessment.

In these five documents you will receive a written version of each lesson that is taught practically through KS3 and KS4. As we all know sometimes plan A does not always work for every student; but plan B provides you with the space to continue with the original plan while keeping all of your students involved according to the core outcome of that day’s lesson. These five documents provide a written version for each of the modules listed; so I would advise purchasing the module they relate to in my store for example in year seven I start with introduction to drama skills and these documents provide me with a written version of my practical lesson if I need to use them. In the past I have used them for students who are in the SEND department when work is asked for, when a pupil needs to be removed due to behaviour or for when a student is struggling to assess the practical work of the lesson. They are a great back up!

A play in a day lesson plan that allows KS3 students to create an abridged version on A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare as a part of activities or enrichment week. Plus a play in a day lesson plan for KS4 on Hard to swallow or Too much punch for Judy by Mark Wheeller. Also included is promotion posters for students to sign up to one of these two activities in your department.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Exploring the First and Second World war with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to explore the theme of war by using different theatrical skills such as word association, tableaus and soundscapes to create an engaging and effective performance for the audience. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand trench warfare from the First World War, create a roll play called ‘Over the top!’ and incorporate the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est into a mime routine to identify the key emotions of a soldier during a gas attack. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to explore the First World War through letter writing and role play to give us an insight into how it must have been to serve as a First World War solider, use split staging to represent different locations on our stage and create a mimed routine that shows the power that letters had to bring joy or despair to families waiting at home. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to develop and explore what life was like for the evacuees during the Second World War through using theatrical skills such as roll on the walls, evacuee cards and role play to educate our audience about this period in history. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to create three scenes called the life of an evacuee, the family of a Second World War solider and life on the frontline through employing theatrical skills such as split staging, mime and slow motion to give our audience an insight into the story of those affected by the Second World War. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on their five combined scenes that represent Exploring the First and Second World war for an end of unit assessment on creating, performing and communicating skills.

An excellent KS4 resource for AQA drama 8261 specification on the devising log with a complete and ready to go five lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to five lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the five core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this five lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to develop and improve section one for the final time before the submission deadline. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to develop and improve section two for the final time before the submission deadline. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to develop and improve section three for the final time before the submission deadline. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to develop and improve section one, two and three for the final time before the submission deadline at the end of today’s lesson. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to ensure that all the necessary paperwork has been completed for the AQA examination board for the devising process.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Dragon’s over Liverppol with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to use given circumstances and hot seating to develop the story of the Dragon’s over Liverpool. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to use freeze frames, thought tracking and hot seating to create and develop the story of the Dragon over Liverpool. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to develop the story of Dragon’s over Liverpool through identifying moments of dramatic significance and use mime, freeze frames or slow motion to communicate this to the audience. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to develop the story of Dragon’s over Liverpool through using physical theatre to represent the creature and role play and hot seating to recruit a dragon slayer. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to develop the story of Dragon’s over Liverpool through using physical theatre. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on their story of Dragon’s over Liverpool through using physical theatre, soundscapes and thought tracking.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on television soap operas with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to introduce the genre of soap operas and their main stereotypical characters together with developing a piece of melodrama for performance at the end of the lesson. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand the stereotypical characters used within soap operas and how they would typical react to changing circumstances within a piece of drama. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to develop and improvise a highly charged scene within a soap opera using techniques such as dramatic pauses, interruptions and low volume menace. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to create and understand how monologues are used to develop the characters and plot in a typical soap opera environment. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to incorporate the poem ‘Only the day before’ as a backdrop for the development of a scene set after an incident of domestic violence in a soap opera. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on the poem ‘Only the day before’ which includes key soap opera elements such as heightened drama, split staging and an ending which includes a cliff hanger.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Superheroes with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to identify the key elements of the superhero genre and create our own superhero ready to be introduce to the world. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to create and develop our superheroes through freeze frames and role play that show them in scenarios of victory and defeat. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to create an alter-ego for our superhero and use thought tracking to reveal our characters feelings during a performance. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to create an arch-nemesis through a roll on the wall, split staging and marking the moment to reveal the origins of this character. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to create and develop our superhero sidekick through freeze frames and role play to reveal our characters feelings. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on a superhero mission.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to examine and understand Shakespearian theatre conventions in preparation for studying ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand the role of status in Shakespearian audiences through our physical and vocal skills and how do we demonstrate and explore the characters of the upper class in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn how to explore the characters of the fairies in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn how to explore the characters of the Rude Mechanicals in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn the different design roles in the theatre and how to apply these to a Shakespearean extract. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on the different design roles in the theatre and how these can be applied to a Shakespearean extract.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Our day out by Willy Russell with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to demonstrate the differences between the two teaching characters of Mr Briggs and Mrs Kay in the play ‘Our Day Out’. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to create and develop the sweet shop and the zoo scene in the play ‘Our Day Out’ to enable the action to be clear to an audience. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to create and explore the events at Conway castle and down at the beach in ‘Our Day Out’ to enable the action to be clear to an audience. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to demonstrate and explore the home and school life of the character of Carol from the play ‘Our Day Out’. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to devise and rehearse their own play based on a school trip inspired by the play ‘Our Day Out’. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on the play text ‘Our Day Out’ that examines their creating, performing and evaluating skills.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on Gothic fairy tales via Mr Fox with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn about the genre of English fairy tales by reading the story of Mr Fox creating tableaus, linking key props to characters, developing tapestries and role plays to summarise the play of Mr Fox. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to develop their knowledge and understanding of Mr Fox by using tableau’s, hot seating and role play to investigate why he wants to commit such horrendous crimes around kidnapping and dismembering young women in his local community. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to explore the horror that lies within the bloody chamber within Mr Fox’s mansion through tableau’s, role play and hot seating. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to create a contemporary version of the serious messages contained with the English fairy tale of Mr Fox and the danger signs to be aware of when meeting new people and strangers for the first time. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to breakdown the English fairy tale of Mr Fox into six scenes that they believe are the most important for the audience in preparation for their practical assessment next week. Lesson six: In this lesson students learn to rehearse, polish and assess their version of Mr Fox through our six scenes for their end of unit assessment on creating, performing and communicating skills.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on the troubles in Northern Ireland via the identication poem with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to develop their knowledge and understanding of the identification poem by Roger McGough and apply theatrical skills such as freeze frames, captions and role play to bring a poetry stimulus to life through educating the audience about this time period during the troubles in Northern Ireland. Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to use the fourth stanza in the identification poem by Roger McGough to think about the way an individual can be viewed differently by different people and how this can affect our performance of this poem. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to discover more about Stephen’s life and the possible reasons and outcomes of the explosion through freeze frames, hot seating and narration. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to use their imaginations to create a scenario that we believe led to Stephen’s death through creating six scenes that explore the day of the explosion. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to create a series of freeze frames that examine Stephen’s life, two flashbacks that look at the impact the bombing had on the local community and a piece of theatre in education that looks at the key messages around the troubles in Northern Ireland. Lesson six: In this lesson students complete a summative assessment on a piece of theatre in education that offers an alternative ending for the killing of Stephen in Omagh in Northern Ireland during the troubles for an end of unit assessment.

An excellent KS3 resource for drama on the Vikings with a complete and ready to go six lesson SOW which includes all additional worksheets. If you purchase this scheme of work, you get access to six lesson powerpoints with around 80 to 100 slides over the complete SOW that help students to access and succeed at the six core outcomes which are designed for this module. In this six lesson SOW students will learn about: Lesson one: In this lesson students learn to understand the history and origins of the Vikings in Britain and use theatrical skills such as tableau’s, physical theatre and role play to explore Viking characters Lesson two: In this lesson students learn to understand the Norse Myth of ‘Thor in Utgard’; through the use of freeze frames, physical theatre and flashbacks. Lesson three: In this lesson students learn to understand the Norse Myth of ‘Viking creation’ through the use of freeze frames, soundscapes and role play. Lesson four: In this lesson students learn to create and understand a Viking feast through freeze frames, spontaneous improvisation and role play. Lesson five: In this lesson students learn to create a dramatic performance based on a Viking battle and a dead soldier’s arrival at Valhalla through freeze frames, Richard Wagner’s ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ and role play. Lesson six: In this lesson students learn to create a documentary piece of drama, based on a discovery at an archaeological dig site near York, through the use of freeze frames, hot seating and flashbacks.