The Monkey King Scheme of Work
(ages 11-12)
Overview
This six-week drama scheme explores the legend of The Monkey King using varied practical forms. The unit emphasises movement, choreography and character work — including Shaolin-inspired exercises, mime and role-play — to build ensemble pieces and devised scenes. Musical pieces are suggested to provide atmosphere and lessons progress towards a practical performance assessment. Suitable for teachers seeking a practical, movement-led sequence that foregrounds physical storytelling and staged ensemble work.
What Students Will Learn
Students will develop physical storytelling skills: choreographing movement sequences (including Shaolin 5-animal exercises and the 'Horse Position'), using mime and role-play to interpret myth, devising character-based scenes, and rehearsing whole-class ensemble pieces. The unit culminates in a practical performance assessment and includes filmed movement work to music, supporting students to present choreographed and characterised interpretations of the Monkey King legend.
Week 1: Birth of the Monkey King
Introduces the origin of The Monkey King through dramatised storytelling. Students mime and role-play along to the story 'Legend of the Monkey King' to explore the character's birth and early traits.
Resources IncludeResourcesThe Legend of the Monkey King - Part 1Week 2: Martial Arts and Immortality
Teaches movement foundations linked to martial arts motifs and immortality themes. Students choreograph movement using the Shaolin 5 animals and practise the warm-up exercise 'The Horse Position'.
Resources IncludeResourcesThe Legend of the Monkey King – Part 2MusicHimalayan AtmosphereWeek 3: Chaos of the Monkey King
Explores the Monkey King's chaotic nature through a class movement piece. The whole class performs a movement sequence which is filmed to music to capture ensemble dynamics and atmosphere.
Resources IncludeResourcesThe Legend of the Monkey King – Part 3MusicCartoon BattleIshikari LoreTemple of the ManesWeek 4: The Monk’s Journey (Pt 1)
Begins a multi-part unit portraying a physical and spiritual journey. Lessons use multiple drama techniques to develop staged movement and scene work for the monk's journey.
Week 5: The Monk’s Journey (Part 2)
Continues the monk's journey with a focus on character scenes from the Pig King episode. Students devise and perform character-based scenes drawn from the story.
Resources IncludeResourcesThe Pig KingWeek 6: The Monkey King Assessment
Summative practical assessment based on the legend of The Monkey King. Students perform in a practical assessment that reviews choreography, character work and ensemble presentation.
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