| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Drama |
| What topic | Character creation - create a zombie character profile |
| What length (min) | 50 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 8 |
| Class size | 25 |
| What curriculum | Western Australian Curriculum Year 8 Drama Syllabus |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Character Creation: Create a Zombie Character Profile
Year 8
Drama
25
This lesson conforms to the Western Australian Curriculum Year 8 Drama Syllabus, focusing on the creation of characters and the exploration of physicality in performance.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Character Creation | 10 | Discuss elements of character creation. Introduce the idea of creating a zombie character. Use examples from film and literature. |
| 2 | Character Profile Development | 15 | Distribute character profile templates. Guide students as they fill out details about their zombie character (name, backstory, personality traits, etc.). |
| 3 | Physical Movement Break | 10 | Engage students in a physical activity that mimics zombie movements, such as shuffling or falling. Use music to enhance the atmosphere. |
| 4 | Character Profile Completion | 10 | Allow students time to finalize their character profiles post-activity. Encourage them to think about how their character would move or speak. |
| 5 | Sharing Character Profiles | 5 | In pairs, students share their character profiles. Encourage them not to perform but to describe their character to their partner. |
| 6 | Wrap-Up and Homework Assignment | 5 | Review key concepts discussed in class. For homework, students will create a monologue or short scene featuring their zombie character to be submitted in writing by next class. |
Students will write a monologue or short scene that features their zombie character, and submit it in writing by the next class session. This will be assessed without presentations to facilitate individual creativity and ease of expression.
This structured approach fosters both the theoretical understanding of character creation while also allowing ample space for creative physical expression, adhering to the curriculum standards set forth for Year 8 Drama in Western Australia.
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re going to dive into the exciting world of character creation by creating our very own zombie characters! Who here has watched a zombie movie or read a book featuring zombies? (Pause for responses.)
"Zombies are fascinating, aren't they? They come with unique personality traits, backstories, and appearances. As we explore this today, think about some famous zombies from movies or literature. What makes them memorable? (Encourage responses and guide the discussion toward elements like their looks, movements, and stories.)
"Let’s start by discussing the essential elements of character creation. We’ll think about:
"Keep these elements in mind as we move on to our next activity!"
"Now, I will distribute character profile templates for you to begin filling out. (Hand out templates.)
"Take the next 15 minutes to create your zombie character by providing details in each section of the profile. Remember to give your zombie a captivating name and think about their backstory and personality traits.
"I’ll be walking around to help if you have any questions or need some inspiration. Let your imaginations run wild! Ready? Go!"
"Okay, everyone! Great job on your character profiles! Now, let’s shift gears and bring our zombie characters to life—physically!
"We're going to engage in a fun movement activity that imitates how zombies move. Think about the way they shuffle, stagger, and fall.
"So, please stand up and spread out a bit. I will play some zombie-themed music (play music) and I want you to move around the space like a zombie. Shuffle, reach out your arms, create that eerie vibe!
"(After 10 minutes) Let's stop there! Wasn't that fun? Remember how your zombie moves can influence how you write and share your character.
"Let’s sit down again and finalize those profiles. Remember to think about how your zombie would walk and speak!"
"Now that we've had our fun with movement, it’s time to put those finishing touches on our character profiles. You have another 10 minutes to finalize them.
"Ensure you think about your zombie’s movements and personality traits while you finish up. Consider what it would sound like if your zombie could speak, what their growl might be like, or how they would interact with humans!
"Once you're done, make sure to keep your profile close, as we will share them shortly!"
"Alright, time to share our creations! Find a partner nearby and take turns describing your zombie character using your profiles. Remember, you’re not performing today; just describe your character's backstory, personality traits, and how they look.
"You’ll have about 5 minutes, so make sure to listen to each other! Ready? Go!"
"Welcome back, everyone! It was fantastic to hear about all your creative zombie characters. How did it feel to share your ideas with your partner? (Pause for responses.)
"To wrap up today’s lesson, let’s review what we’ve learned about character creation. We explored names, backstories, personalities, and movements. Each of these elements makes a character more vivid and interesting.
"For homework, I’d like you to write a monologue or a short scene featuring your zombie character. This should highlight their personality and perhaps include a snippet of their story or their zombie perspective on the world.
"Make sure to submit this in writing by our next class. Remember to enjoy the process of bringing your zombie to life on the page!
"Thanks for your hard work today, everyone. I can’t wait to read your creations!"
| Slide number | Image | Slide content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A spooky zombie illustration} | - Introduction to character creation |
| - Overview of unique zombie traits | ||
| - Discussion prompts on memorable zombies | ||
| 2 | {Image: Character profile template} | - Character profile development |
| - Essential elements: | ||
| - Name | ||
| - Backstory | ||
| - Personality | ||
| - Appearance | ||
| 3 | {Image: Group of people moving like zombies} | - Physical movement break |
| - Engage in zombie movements: | ||
| - Shuffle, stagger, and fall | ||
| - Importance of physicality in character creation | ||
| 4 | {Image: Students finalising character profiles} | - Completing character profiles |
| - Final touches: | ||
| - Consider movements and personality traits | ||
| - Think about sounds and interactions | ||
| 5 | {Image: Students sharing ideas} | - Sharing character profiles |
| - Partner sharing activity | ||
| - Key focus areas: | ||
| - Backstory | ||
| - Personality traits | ||
| - Physical appearance |
If your zombie could talk, what would their catchphrase be, and why would they say it?
Imagine your zombie had a favourite food before they turned. What was it, and how does it influence their behaviour now?
If your zombie could interact with one human character from a movie or book, who would it be, and what kind of conversation would they have?
Create a unique ritual or habit your zombie has. How did that develop from their life as a human?
If you had to design a special ability for your zombie that sets them apart from others, what would it be, and how would it affect their interactions?
## Zombie Movement Exercises
1. **Shuffle Forward** - Drag your feet like a zombie, stepping one foot in front of the other.
2. **Zombie Arms** - Stretch your arms forward as you shuffle; sway them side to side for dramatic effect.
3. **Staggering Walk** - Pretend you're losing your balance; lean to one side and then the other as you move.
4. **Reach and Groan** - Lift your arms high as you shuffle and let out a low groan like a zombie.
5. **Backwards Shuffle** - Turn around and shuffle backwards, keeping your arms out in front.
6. **Slow Turn** - Rotate your body slowly as if you're turning to spot something interesting.
7. **Drop and Roll** - Pretend to trip and fall; roll over dramatically before getting back to your feet.
8. **Zombie Dance** - When the music plays, let your body sway to the rhythm while maintaining your zombie posture.
9. **Group Shuffle** - Move as a group, trying to stay close together while mimicking a horde of zombies.
10. **Freeze Pose** - When the music stops, freeze in your best zombie pose until it starts again!
Now let's get moving like zombies!