IVY HAWN ELEMENTARY DRAMA
RACHEL TERHUNE
about Mrs. Terhune
Previous to Ivy Hawn, I had been running a small dance/theatre company on the side. My company had owned a small studio where we provided classes and produced community theatre performances. My personal education and degrees are in theatre. I graduated from Florida School of the Arts with an AA in Acting and the University of Central Florida with a BA in General Theatre.
I love teaching! My curriculum is full of variety as I have the pleasure to teach K-5. The range of student ages and their approaches to theatre is fascinating. I love being able to provide them with their first glimpse of this art form and see their eyes light up. My approach has been basically a walk through history, starting with the Greeks, moving through Shakespeare, and a few other time periods before reaching contemporary drama and musicals. I personally have researched a variety of teaching methods and I gravitate toward a Montessori style of providing the class with the ability to be independent and curious at all times.
4th/5th Grade Drama Units/Lesson Plans
August
- Classroom Procedures and Intro to Elementary Drama
- Parts of the Stage (9 locations)
- Mime history and skillset (mirroring, partner work, etc.)
September
- Mime scenes, partner work
- Greek theatre history (mask work and creation)
- Showcase choices/casting
October
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Shakespeare history and script reading
- Showcase rehearsals
November
- Character Study (creation and documentation; costume design included)
- Showcase rehearsals
December
- Showcase rehearsals
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Review of fall semester topics
January
- Showcase performances
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Tableaus
- Radio Dramas
February
- African American Theatre (history and script reading)
- Scene building (character work, ensemble acting, etc.)
March
- Beginning of Monologue unit (character voice, fundamentals of playwrighting, etc.)
- Game Play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Improv discussion (history and game play)
April
- Finalization of Monologues (performance, critique, etc.)
- 4 person rapid-fire scene writing, Set design
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
May
- Stage Makeup (complete with in-class demonstration)
- Intro to Musicals (review of Broadway pieces and discussion)
- Review of Spring semester lessons, primary focus on theatrical vocabulary
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
2nd/3rd Grade Drama Units/Lesson Plans
August
- Classroom Procedures and Intro to Elementary Drama
- Parts of the Stage (9 locations, group test)
- Mime history and skillset (Pass the Face, Guess the Activity, etc.)
September
- Puppet work
- Greek theatre history (mask work and creation)
- Group Character Study (creation and documentation; costume design included)
October
- Script work (reading scenes and whole class plays)
- Shakespeare history and London's Globe tour
- - Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
November
- Personal history accounts and stage practice (Story of Name, Star Student, etc.)
- Conflict Resolution using puppetry (improv skills and problem solving)
- Showcase Casting
December
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Set Design
- Review of fall semester topics
January
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Intro to Musicals (review of Broadway pieces and discussions)
- Radio Drama (history and activities, Mick Munter & Dr. Floyd)
February
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Scene work and history (either Latin Theatre or Native American Theatre)
- Story creation
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
March
- Showcase Performances
- Script reading
- Stage Makeup with in-class demonstration
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
April
- 2-person scene creation (story building, script writing, rehearsals and production)
- Tech Jobs in theatre (outside performance)
- Environment work
May
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- 2-person scene performances
- Script reading
- Review fundamentals
1st Grade/Kindergarten Drama Units/Lesson Plans
August
- Classroom Procedures and Intro to Elementary Drama
- Parts of the Stage (9 locations, group test)
- Mime history and skillset (Pass the Face, Guess the Activity, etc.)
September
- Puppet work
- Greek theatre history (mask work and creation)
- Group Character Study (creation and documentation; costume design included)
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
October
- Script work (reading scenes and whole class plays)
- Shakespeare history and London's Globe tour
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
November
- Personal history accounts and stage practice (Story of Name, Star Student, etc.)
- Conflict Resolution using puppetry (improv skills and problem-solving)
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
December
- Showcase Casting
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
- Set Design
- Review of fall semester topics
January
- How to Build a Story
- Fairy Tale Unit (create our own fairy tale, turn into script, performance)
- Radio Drama (history and activities; Story Pirates)
- Showcase Rehearsals
February
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Energy
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
March
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Kabuki (history and activities)
- Stage Makeup (kabuki oriented)
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
April
- Showcase Rehearsals
- Free imagination play (centers based on costumes, props, and design)
- Puppet Work
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
May
- Showcase Performances
- Character Voice Work
- Environment Tableaus
- Character Creation (costume design and character study)
- Game play (variety of improv, concentration, focus, and character games)
Feel free to contact me about any Elementary Drama class happenings at terhuner@ivyhawnschool.org or on the Remind app @ihedrama
Extracurricular Drama Activities
Please find all information pertaining to after-school theatre activities here.
TSquad
Mainastage Productions
Our Spring Mainstage Show will be...
Spongebob Squarepants Jr
Audition Forms
Tickets will be available soon!
Showcases Performances
4th/5th Grade Showcase Details Here
Battle of the Bands!