ARTS FIRST™ Toolkit K - 5 Ahupua'a - Pantomime - Grade 4 INTRODUCTION
This series of lessons on ahupua’a explores the different roles of ancient Hawaiians and how they are interdependent in their land system. The ahupua’a is the land division from the mountains to the ocean. Groups of people, within the ahupua’a, had different roles and responsibilities. Each class of people followed specific rules and laws, which reflected the values of that time.
Drama allows students to explore the characters of the common people living in the ahupua’a. In this first lesson, students create short scenes in pantomime to depict the work of the people. This activity allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of the different roles ancient Hawaiians held in the ahupua’a. Students deepen their understanding of the ancient Hawaiians and gain insight into the thoughts and emotions of the characters they portray.
In the second and third lessons, students continue to collaborate in their groups introducing the elements of dialogue and conflict into their scenes. This challenges them to further define the role of their characters as well as demonstrate their knowledge of the cultural values and rules of the ahupua’a system.
The fourth grade arts performance indicators addressed are:
4.1 - The student selects and combines elements, processes, materials, and technology to create a simple dance, scene, music composition, or visual artwork.
4.2 - The student focuses on his/her own role or contribution while performing in an ensemble or collaborating in visual arts.
These lessons link to social studies, specifically focusing on the fourth grade performance indicators in History with reference to Hawaiian culture:
Standard 2: HISTORY: Historical Empathy—Students learn to judge the past on its own terms and use that knowledge to understand present day issues, problems, and decision-making.
Benchmark: Explain how rules/laws and values of a society determine the behavior and attitudes of its members.
Performance Indicators:
1. Gives specific examples of the values and rules/laws such as kapu system or Splintered Paddle, rule of man.
2. Connects behaviors and attitudes of Hawaiians to their values and rules/laws.
For this series of lessons, students must work collaboratively. They should be familiar with such basic drama skills as standing in neutral, focus and concentration, silent transitions, and tableau. Students should also understand the different roles and responsibilities of the ancient Hawaiians in an ahupua’a, and the various settings in which the ancient Hawaiians worked.
The fourth grade arts performance indicators addressed are:
