Exploring St Patrick’s Day through movement
Long ago, a boy named Patrick was taken from his home by pirates. He became a shepherd and prayed a lot during this tough time. After six years, he escaped and went home. But then, he dreamed that the people of Ireland needed him, so he went back to Ireland to teach and help them. He used a little plant called a shamrock to explain his teachings and did many great things, like driving snakes away. People also tell stories about magical creatures called leprechauns who hide their gold and can grant wishes if caught. Every year on March 17th, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to remember Patrick’s kindness and the fun stories of Ireland.
Drama Workshop Plan: St. Patrick’s Adventure
Objective: To explore the story of St. Patrick and Irish myths through drama, promoting teamwork, creativity, and storytelling skills.
Materials Needed: Props (shamrocks, ropes for snakes, gold coins, etc.), Costume pieces (green hats, fairy costumes, etc.), Music and sound effects for creating ambiance.
Workshop Structure:
Warm-Up: Shamrock Shake (5 minutes)
- Activity: Everyone moves around the room, and when the music stops, they freeze in a pose inspired by shamrocks or leprechauns.
- Purpose: To get energized and introduce the Irish theme in a playful way.
Improvisation – Leprechaun Gold Hunt
Objective: To engage children in a creative and spontaneous adventure, enhancing their improvisational skills and encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.
Duration: 15 minutes
Materials: Props such as ropes or blue fabric for rivers, pillows or cushions for mountains, and small gold coins or painted rocks for leprechaun gold.
Optional: Costume pieces like hats or vests to represent leprechauns or adventurers.
Activity Breakdown: Setting the Scene: Begin by setting the stage for the children, explaining that they are about to embark on a magical journey through the enchanted lands of Ireland in search of the elusive leprechaun gold. The gold is rumored to bring good luck to whoever finds it but is guarded by clever leprechauns who have hidden it well and set up challenges to test the worthy.
Forming Teams: Divide the children into small groups or teams. Each team is on a quest to find leprechaun gold. Explain that they’ll need to work together to overcome any challenges they encounter.
Introducing Obstacles: Present the first obstacle, a wide, rushing river that needs to be crossed. The teams must figure out how to cross without getting “wet.” They might decide to mime building a bridge, using stepping stones, or flying over with magical powers.
Example: For the river, use blue fabric on the floor. Children can pretend to construct a bridge using imaginary logs or stones, or they could perform an elaborate dance to appease the river spirits, asking for safe passage.
Mime – Banishing the Snakes
Objective: To enhance children’s understanding of non-verbal communication and storytelling, using mime to recreate the legendary tale of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.
Duration: 10 minutes
Materials Needed: None, but you may choose to use simple props like green fabric to symbolize snakes if desired.
Activity Breakdown: Introduction to Mime: Briefly explain what mime is – the art of expressing a story or an idea through body movements and facial expressions, without using words. Highlight the importance of exaggerated gestures and expressions to convey meaning.
Setting the Scene: Share the legend of St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland, emphasizing the dramatic moments and the emotions involved. Explain that they will be reenacting this story through mime.
Demonstrating Key Actions: Demonstrate a few key actions to help them get started, such as: St. Patrick’s Determination: Show a determined face and marching posture as St. Patrick decides to rid Ireland of snakes. Encountering Snakes: React with surprise and caution upon “seeing” snakes. Use hands to show the snakes’ movements and your movements to dodge or confront them. Driving the Snakes Away: Use sweeping arm movements to symbolize gathering and guiding the snakes away, and facial expressions to show effort and resolve.
Practicing Mime Techniques: Encourage the children to practice these actions, focusing on making their body movements and facial expressions clear and expressive. Provide feedback and suggestions to help them improve.
Performing the Story: Divide the children into small groups or have them perform individually, depending on the number of participants and their comfort levels. Each child or group takes turns performing their mime version of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.
Example Performances:
A child mimics walking through Ireland, looking around curiously. Suddenly, they spot a “snake” (imaginary), showing fear and surprise. They then gather courage, stand tall, and mime driving the snakes away with determined gestures.
A group works together, with one child acting as St. Patrick and the others as snakes. St. Patrick moves boldly towards the snakes, guiding them away with wide, sweeping motions, while the snakes slither and react, eventually being led offstage.
Reflection and Discussion: After the performances, discuss what each group did well and what emotions or parts of the story were most clearly conveyed through their mime. Encourage the children to reflect on how they used their bodies and faces to tell the story without words.
Additional Mime Scenarios and Actions
St. Patrick’s Journey Begins:
Example Action: Mime packing a bag with essential items for the journey, looking around with determination, and then stepping boldly forward, showcasing the start of an important mission.
Emotions to Express: Excitement, determination, a bit of apprehension.
Discovering the Snakes:
Example Action: Walking cautiously, then stopping abruptly upon “seeing” snakes. Use facial expressions to show shock and fear, then curiosity as you lean closer to inspect without touching.
Emotions to Express: Surprise, fear, curiosity.
Confronting the Snakes:
Example Action: Show initial fear turning into resolve. Stand tall, and with authoritative gestures, “speak” to the snakes, commanding them to leave. Use sweeping motions with arms to direct them away.
Emotions to Express: Bravery, authority, determination.
The Snakes’ Response:
Example Action: As the snakes, slither in place, then react to St. Patrick’s commands by showing hesitation and then retreating. Mimic looking back at St. Patrick and then slithering away faster.
Emotions to Express: Reluctance, defeat.
Celebrating the Victory:
Example Action: After successfully driving the snakes away, mime cheering and jumping for joy. Perhaps mime ringing a bell to gather the townspeople and share the good news.
Emotions to Express: Joy, relief, triumph.
The Community’s Gratitude:
Example Action: Other children mime the role of the Irish people coming to thank St. Patrick. They can show gratitude by miming actions like shaking hands, giving hugs, or presenting gifts.
Emotions to Express: Gratitude, happiness, community spirit.
Reflective Moment of Success:
Example Action: St. Patrick, standing on a hill looking over the peaceful land. Place hands on hips, look around with a satisfied nod, and then look up to the sky with a thankful gesture.
Emotions to Express: Satisfaction, gratitude, peace.
Soundscapes – The Magic of Ireland
Objective: To enhance children’s auditory skills and creativity by using vocal sounds and body percussion to mimic the environment and atmosphere of Ireland as depicted in St. Patrick’s story.
Duration: 10 minutes
Materials Needed: None. The activity relies on the children’s voices and their ability to create sounds using their bodies.
Activity Breakdown: Introduction to Soundscapes: Briefly explain what a soundscape is – a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. Mention how soundscapes can tell a story or set a scene without visual aids, using only sound.
Exploring Sound Examples: Demonstrate a few simple sounds that can be made using the body and voice. For instance, clapping hands to mimic rain, snapping fingers for a crackling fire, or using shushing sounds to emulate the wind. Encourage the children to experiment with making these sounds themselves.
Creating the Irish Village Soundscape:
Scenario: Imagine a lively village during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Sounds to Include: The murmur of people chatting, laughter, the clinking of dishes or mugs, footsteps of dancers, and perhaps a distant melody of Irish music.
Example Activity: Divide the children into groups, each responsible for a different sound in the village. Combine their sounds to create the bustling atmosphere of the celebration.
Crafting the Mysterious Forest Soundscape:
Scenario: The enchanted forest where St. Patrick might have encountered magical creatures or began his quest to drive away the snakes.
Sounds to Include: Rustling leaves, whispering wind, the call of distant animals, or the soft, eerie sound of magic at work.
Example Activity: Have the children close their eyes to fully immerse themselves in creating and experiencing the forest soundscape. One group can be the wind, another the rustling leaves, and so on, working together to build the mystical environment.
Recreating the Snake Banishment Soundscape:
Scenario: The dramatic moment when St. Patrick banishes the snakes from Ireland.
Sounds to Include: The hissing of snakes, the determined footsteps of St. Patrick, the dramatic wave of a staff (could be a whooshing sound), and the final silence to signify the snakes’ departure.
Example Activity: This can be a more coordinated effort, where the actions and sounds are synchronized to tell the story of banishment. Start with a crescendo of snake sounds, followed by the commanding presence of St. Patrick, and culminate in a triumphant silence.
Reflection and Sharing: After creating each soundscape, discuss with the children how each sound contributed to the atmosphere. Ask them how the sounds made them feel and what images came to mind while listening.
Closure: Movement: Irish Celebration Dance (10 minutes)
Activity: Teach a simple Irish dance step to celebrate the end of the workshop.
Purpose: To experience Irish culture through dance and conclude the workshop on a joyful note.
