Author: Katherine Zachest

Katherine has extensive experience in drama education in early childhood and lectures in drama at Deakin University. Katherine is the author of Drama for Early Childhood and is currently studying her Ph.D. entitled Children Drama and Planetary Wellbeing.
Year Level
Early Years
Primary F-2
EYLF Outcomes
Identity
Community
Wellbeing
Learning
Communication
Learning Areas
Drama
English
Science
Geography
Sustainability areas
Ecosystems
Human impact
Rubbish and littering
Workshop description
This workshop is designed for educators in Early Years and Primary to provide an opportunity for children to understand the complexities of a frog habitat through Drama pedagogy. The workshop draws on drama strategies such as whole class role-play and Teacher in Role (TiR) to raise awareness, deepen understanding, share ideas and identify solutions to save an ecosystem. Children are invited to play roles of non-human elements within the environment to explore the point of view of other living things. This workshop gives children an opportunity to develop empathy and understanding of the interdependence of ecosystems and to seek ways to reduce the impact caused by humans.
Timeframe
Early Years: 30-45 min
Primary: 60-90 min (can be further extended)
Resources
- Large piece of blue/green fabric to represent the river or pond
- Small squares of fabric (approx. 60cm square in different colours or patterns; one for each child)
- A vest or hat for the teacher
- Relaxing forest music (eg Inner Light by Diva Baakso Apple Music|Spotify)
- Plastic bag full of rubbish/recycled materials (washed and clean)