Dancing Scarecrow Drama Lesson Plan Dancing Scarecrow Drama
3rd Grade • 60-Minute Session
Dramatic Play
At a Glance
Why This Lesson?
Dramatic play enhances comprehension, empathy, and creative expression. Creating puppets allows students to visualize characters and actively participate in storytelling.
Approach
Reading, discussion, and hands-on puppet crafting.
Objective
Identify key characters/plot points and demonstrate understanding through dramatic play and puppet construction (fine motor skills).
Materials
"The Dancing Scarecrow" book
Scarecrow Puppet Template
Construction paper/cardstock
Brass fasteners (4 per student)
Crayons/Markers
Lesson Slide Deck
Preparation
Gather Materials: Collect book, templates, fasteners, and coloring supplies.
Instructional Steps
5m
Introduction & Hook
Use Slide 1 to introduce the lesson. Ask students what they know about scarecrows and dancing using the provided prompts in the Script.
15m
Read Aloud
Read "The Dancing Scarecrow" aloud. Encourage students to listen for actions and emotions. Use expressive voices for characters.
10m
Discussion & Exploration
Facilitate a discussion using Slide 2. Focus on the scarecrow’s feelings and movements. Ask: "What makes a scarecrow dance?"
5m
Puppet Intro & Instructions
Show an example of an articulated puppet (Slide 3). Explain that arms and legs will move. Distribute templates.
20m
Creation Activity
Guide students through cutting, decorating, and assembling using the Activity Guide. Circulate to assist with brass fasteners.
5m
Dramatic Play & Wrap-Up
Play instrumental music. Invite students to make their scarecrows "dance" to the rhythm. Reflect on the activity.
Dancing Scarecrow Drama Slide Deck Dancing Scarecrow Drama!
What do you know about scarecrows?
What does it mean to dance?
The Dancing Scarecrow Story
1
Who is the main character ?
2
What happens in the story?
3
How does the scarecrow feel ?
4
What makes a scarecrow dance ?
Create Your Dancing Scarecrow Puppet!
Today, we're going to make our own dancing scarecrow puppets!
These puppets will have moving arms and legs , just like a dancing scarecrow.
Puppet Making Steps
1. Cut out all the pieces from your template.
2. Decorate your scarecrow with colors and designs.
3. Assemble using brass fasteners for arms and legs.
4. Dance! Make sure your scarecrow can move!
Showtime!
Let's see your dancing scarecrows!
How did creating your puppet help you understand the story better?
What did you enjoy most about making your scarecrow dance?
Dancing Scarecrow Drama Script Dancing Scarecrow Drama Script
Teacher Facilitation Guide
1
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
Slide 1
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure with a very special scarecrow. Take a look at our first slide!"
Teacher: "Before we dive into our story, I want you to think for a moment. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'scarecrow'? What do they do?"
Teacher: "And what about dancing? What does it mean to dance? What kinds of things can dance?"
"Great ideas! Scarecrows are usually still, standing in fields, right? But what if a scarecrow decided to dance? Our story today is all about a dancing scarecrow!"
2
Read Aloud: The Dancing Scarecrow (15 minutes)
"Now, I'm going to read you the book, 'The Dancing Scarecrow.' As I read, I want you to pay close attention to the scarecrow. How does he move? How does he feel? What happens to him? Listen carefully!"
Read the book aloud, using expressive voices for different characters and pausing at key moments to show illustrations.
3
Discussion & Character Exploration (10 minutes)
Slide 2
"Wow, what a wonderful story! Let's talk about it. Look at our slide again."
Teacher: "First, who was the main character in our story?" (Guide students to identify the scarecrow.)
Teacher: "What were some of the important things that happened? Can you remember any key events?" (Allow students to share plot points.)
Teacher: "How do you think the scarecrow felt throughout the story? Did his feelings change? When was he happy? When might he have been lonely?" (Encourage emotional exploration.)
Teacher: "What do you think makes a scarecrow dance? Not just in the story, but imagine if a real scarecrow started dancing! What might make that happen?"
Continued on next page
4
Puppet Intro & Instructions (5 minutes)
Slide 3 & 4
"You've done a fantastic job thinking about our dancing scarecrow! Now, it's your turn to bring a dancing scarecrow to life! Today, we're going to create our very own articulated scarecrow puppets. 'Articulated' means they'll have moving parts – arms and legs that can swing and sway, just like our dancing scarecrow!"
Show a quick example of an articulated puppet if available. Demonstrate with hands how the joints will move.
5
Scarecrow Puppet Creation (20 minutes)
Dancing Scarecrow Puppet Activity Guide Dancing Scarecrow Puppet
Activity Guide: Let's Build & Dance!
Things You Need:
Scarecrow Template
Scissors
Crayons or Markers
4 Brass Fasteners (Brads)
Artist Tip!
"Articulated" means your puppet has moving joints like real arms and legs!
1
Get Your Pieces Ready
Carefully cut out all the parts from your Scarecrow Puppet Template . You should have a body, a head, two arms, and two legs.
2
Decorate Your Scarecrow!
Use your crayons or markers. What colors should your scarecrow wear? Does it have patches on its clothes? A friendly face? A straw hat?
3
Punch the Holes
Look for the small circles on the body, arms, and legs. Use a pencil tip to carefully make a tiny hole in the center of each circle. Ask a teacher if you need help!
4
Assemble Arms and Legs
Line up the holes of an arm with a hole at the top of the body. Push a brass fastener through and open the prongs on the back. Do the same for the legs!
5
Make Your Scarecrow Dance!
Hold the body and move the arms and legs. Can it twirl? Can it jump? Listen to the music and let it dance!
Scarecrow Puppet Template Scarecrow Puppet Template
Instructions: 1. Carefully cut along the dashed lines . 2. Decorate your pieces. 3. Use a pencil to poke holes through the small black circles . 4. Connect arms and legs to the body using brass fasteners.
Head Piece
Arm Pieces (x2)
Body Piece
Leg Pieces (x2)
Standard Letter Size Template • Dancing Scarecrow Drama
Dancing Scarecrow Cool Down Worksheet My Dancing Scarecrow
Reflection & Cool Down Activity
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
1 Draw Your Dancing Scarecrow!
Draw a picture of your puppet in a fun dancing pose. What does it look like when it moves?
2 About My Dancing Scarecrow
What is one thing you like about your scarecrow puppet?
If your scarecrow could dance to any song, what kind of song would it be?
What did you learn about the story by making your puppet?
What was the most challenging part of making your puppet?
