Alphabet City

International School of Louisiana ISL WB
Kinder - 1st Grade Social Studies & Drama
Mr. Zeb & Ms. Elisa, Ms. Iris, Ms. Sulman, Ms. Alma, Ms. Susie, Ms. Mirna

Students in Kindergarten and 1st Grade have been learning about ‘My School, My Community, and I’m a Citizen’ during Social Studies. Students learned about rules, jobs, traditions/celebrations, and foundational map skills.

Students were led through a guided drama called 'Alphabet City’. The drama was episodic and continued week to week. Students learned about basic drama elements (character, and setting) during arts integrated lessons. They created individual nametags with yarn and index cards that transported them from the classroom to 'Alphabet City’.

While in 'Alphabet City’, students were in-role as 'Citizens’. They met Mr. Builder (Teaching Artist) who was looking for help to build a new city. Mr. Builder works for 'The Queen’ (classroom teacher). Students in-role as 'Citizens’ developed and enacted 'rules, traditions, and jobs’ for the new community and presented them to 'The Queen’.

Throughout the guided drama, the classroom teacher and teaching artist integrated core concepts from the unit 'My School, My Community, and I’m a Citizen’ to deepen students’ understanding of 'community and citizenship’. Students employed drama/theatre strategies pantomime, tableau, and improvisation.