Silent Movies Scheme of Work

6 Drama Lesson Plans for Year 7 (Ages 11-12yrs)

This scheme of work explores the genre of silent movies. It enables the students to develop their key drama forms, in particular mime, body language, facial expressions and the need to exaggerate them to help create physical or slapstick comedy. It is supported with a number of entertaining musical clips as well as a classic film extract. For assessment students devise their own silent movie scene using the techniques and skills learned.

Each lesson plan has clearly stated objectives and learning outcomes. They are structured to include introductory warm up, development and plenary sessions. A homework task is also included.

A desk-based cover lesson is included in the package based on a 2 page handout. The aim is to provide thematic continuity in the event of drama teacher absence.

Silent Movies Tooltip

This scheme of work contains 6 drama lesson plans.

Lesson 1: Silent Comedy

This introductory lesson shows students how exaggeration and mime were used in a humorous way. Group work includes performance of a comedy routine and the class activity ‘Magnetic Chair’.
Lesson 2: Music and Captions

Students learn how silent movie music is used to convey atmosphere and character’s emotions. From a piece of music they devise and perform a short scene complete with a caption.
Lesson 3: The Eviction Blues

In this lesson the students create and sustain a character from a silent movie synopsis using mime and exaggeration. Groups devise a rescue scene using stock characters.
Lesson 4: Charlie Chaplin

The class discus an extract of ‘The Kid’ and its use of comedic techniques. Pairs use the two characters to make a new scenario both funny and sad.
Lesson 5: Mini-Movie

Students develop an assessment piece based on a piece of silent movie music, creating a short movie using the techniques and devices learned in the module.
Lesson 6: Assessment

Performance of mini movies, with sequences filmed and played back.

Supporting materials include

4 Pieces of Silent Movie Music
Text - The Eviction Blues
Video Extract from 'The Kid'

Additional resources are included in the appendices

Basic Drama Skills Sheet
End Of Unit Self-Assessment Form

The scheme of work is supplied as a ZIP file. It contains the scheme of work (PDF, readable on most computers) along with 4 music files (MP3 format) and 1 video file (MP4 format).