Components of an Interactive Drama Activity – SHRUMP!*
*In no particular order other than an adorable acronym
S – Step-by-Step Instructions. Less words, more actions. Consider call-and-repeat or “Let’s all say that” as a means to share the steps. Break the activity down – or scaffold it up – into small bits. Check in to make sure the group understands what they are supposed to do.
Example from Magic Box: To begin, we open the Magic Box. Let’s all do that! Then we reach our hand in and pull out an imaginary object. Let’s all do that! Now we use the object without saying anything so the group can guess what it is...
H – Hook. What will excite and engage participants? How does it tie into the material you're working on? What is the story of this lesson? Does it engage their emotions?
Magic Box: Bear is terribly grumpy, and his neighbors want to cheer him up with presents. Have you ever been grumpy before? What worked to cheer you up? Do you think this will work to cheer Bear up?
R – Rules. Some rules may be determined by the facilitator; some may be determined by the group.
Magic Box: When you think you know what the object is, give the facilitator a thumbs up. Don’t yell out your answer. If we can’t tell what the object is, what should we do?
U – Use of Space. Consider safety and logistics. How can a game be modified to address challenges presented by space, energy and number of participants?
Magic Box: Every student has their own Magic Box so they don’t have to climb over each other. Or perhaps everyone sits in a circle and we pass the Magic Box from lap to lap.
M – Modeling. In combination with step-by-step instructions, the facilitator demonstrates the activity or asks for volunteers and slowly directs them through the process.
Magic Box: I’m going to pick the first object out of the box and show you how Bear might use this gift. When you think you know what it is, give me a thumbs up.
P – Participants’ Objectives. Why are participants participating and what do they want to accomplish/achieve? How will they know they’ve achieved it?
Magic Box: The objective of the game is to correctly identify the objects pulled out of the box. The literacy objective is to make inferences based on physical clues of pantomimed objects.