The Perfect First Week Activity Every Theatre Teacher Should Know : PerformerStuff More Good Stuff

The Perfect First Week Activity Every Theatre Teacher Should Know

Written by Tiffany Wilkie

August 15, 2017

Hello, teachers.

Tiffany from Performer Stuff here, I wanted to share my favorite first week of school activity, “The Three Object Speech”, with you. From beginning to advanced, I used this activity in all of my classes.

Once I learned about this activity, I used it every year, and by the time the kids got to their senior year, they would share so much. It’s an excellent bonding experience and helps the teacher learn a lot about their students. Below are the basic elements of the lesson plan, but if you’d like the printable PDF, click here to access it for free on the Google Drive platform.

Element 1: The Five Rules

Objects brought in must not belong to any of the following rules:

1. The Elephant Rule: nothing too large to comfortably carry around all day at school.
2. The Grand Theft Prop Rule: nothing too valuable to risk losing.
3. The Jail Rule: nothing that breaks school rules (weapons, etc.).
4. The Biology Rule: nothing alive (pets, best friends, etc.).
5. The Cheese Rule: don’t forget your items and try to fake it by showing us things that you happen to have in your pockets!

When presenting the activity to the class, don’t share what the Five Rules’ meanings are, have the students guess instead. On presentation day, when the student is done speaking, tell the class, “Raise your hand if you feel connected to _______ (name of the student who just presented).” Then, call on a few students to explain why they feel connected and move on to the next student presenter.

Element 2: Speech Format

“The Three Object Speech” has a very simple format. Students can create their own outlines to help if they suffer from stage fright, like below:

Introduction: “Hi, my name is ___________________ and I’ve brought three objects which I’d like to use to introduce myself.

Showcase: “My first object is __________________. (hold the object up so they can see it; if it’s not obvious as to what this object is, briefly explain) I chose to bring this object because ___________________. My second object is __________________. I chose to bring this object because ______________. My third object is ___________________. I chose to bring this object because ______________.”

Conclusion: “And those are three objects which tell you something about me you wouldn’t be able to know otherwise. Thank you.”

Element 3: The Teacher’s Introduction

This is how you’ll present the activity. Word for word isn’t necessary, but hit the important points.

“We’ll sit in a circle to share our three object speeches, and you are welcome to either stand up and share your items or remain seated, whichever is more comfortable for you. Overall, the assignment should be no more threatening than ‘Show and Tell’ in elementary school! Please list your three items below, make sure your name, today’s date, and your class hour are written on the assignment form, and turn the entire form in to your class mailbox after you’ve given your speech.”