Lesson Focus and Goals:
- To discuss what it might feel like traveling to a new planet
- To discuss what it might feel like meeting aliens
- To create a story and perform for the class
Materials Needed:
- Sunrise Lamp
- Cut-out shadow puppets
- Other objects to use as puppets
Learning Objectives:
To discuss, understand and perform what it might feel like leaving a home & coming to a new land to live.
Structure / Activity:
- Class discussion about how they would feel leaving Earth to move to Mars – what emotions come up? What would they say to aliens? What do they think the aliens would say to them?
- Divide into small groups and create a short story. Try to create THREE interesting scenes to perform with shadow puppets
- Cut out the shadow puppets or design your own and attach to lollipop sticks. For extra props – look around the class room to see if anything else could be used to cast interesting shadows.
- Rehearse the story within the small groups and get ready to perform!
- Have one person as the narrater and the other students display the story by casting shadows onto the walls
- As an extra activity – encourage the audience to say what they liked about they story they have just seen and how it makes them feel
Assessment:
This task is to inspire creativity and story-telling. It is also designed to generate conversation around immigration and empathy.
Students should work in collaborative groups to create exciting stories while encouraging good presentation skills.
