Soundscapes
What the children do in this experience is create sounds with voices or body percussion to depict a place or a scene. Places are the easiest and can simply involve students improvising sounds that they feel might be encountered in that particular place. To add a game element, send a student from the room, decide what place the class will try to depict, invite the student back, perform the soundscape, and see if they can guess where they are. Or divide the class into groups and have them develop soundscapes to perform for each other and see if other groups can guess. Soundscapes can also be refined and more deliberate. Brainstorm ideas on the board as a group and try out different sounds. Sequence the sounds accordingly. For recreating a scene from a story or event, the element of time becomes more important and sounds can be more carefully sequenced. Record the soundscapes and play them back. Discuss and revise accordingly. Multiple connections can be made to history, geography, science, and literature.
The following three websites have examples and additional descriptions of soundscapes:
Drama-Based Instruction: https://dbp.theatredance.utexas.edu/content/soundscapes
Drama in Classrooms: https://sites.google.com/site/dramainclassrooms/implementing-drama/change-the-banner/soundscapes
Drama Resource: https://dramaresource.com/soundscape/
The following three websites have examples and additional descriptions of soundscapes:
Drama-Based Instruction: https://dbp.theatredance.utexas.edu/content/soundscapes
Drama in Classrooms: https://sites.google.com/site/dramainclassrooms/implementing-drama/change-the-banner/soundscapes
Drama Resource: https://dramaresource.com/soundscape/