Rotation.org Writing Team

Psalm 8: "When I look at your heavens"

A "Look Up " Drama Workshop

using one of three possible techniques:
Blacklight Drama, "Reader's Theater," or Shadow Puppets 

Summary of Activities

Students will prepare and participate in "Look Up," an inspiring Psalm 8 drama they will help create. The drama encourages them and others to "look up" to see God's message to them, an embracing message of worth and purpose, instead of "looking down on" themselves, others.

View the attached script and see the three presentation options described below.

Scripture for the Lesson

Psalm 8

O Lord, Our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives. Many of the images and metaphors taught in this lesson are explained in the Bible Background.

Preparation and Materials

• Read the Bible Background and scripture.
• Print copies of the script for students to complete.
• Print the copy of the teacher's script.
• Choose your presentation option and set up your "stage" as much as possible in advance so that class time can focus on presenting. See "staging" notes throughout the lesson.
• If using the "blacklight drama technique" consult the manual here at rotation.org.

Lesson Plan

Choosing your drama option. All three use the same script. Reader's Theater takes the least amount of rehearsal and set up. Older students will like acting in the Blacklight more. See the "age adaptation notes" at the end of this lesson. Have someone videotape your presentation.

Reader's Theater:  Students complete the script and present it seated on a "stage" to an audience. They dramatize with their words and keep their motions to a minimum. This type of presentation takes less time, and you can have several different groups prepare the script and present it. As seen on the script document, the lines of Psalm 8 are separated, but not assigned. Divide them among your readers as needed.

Create a "nighttime" scene for the Reader's Theater presentation. Turn off the overhead lights and turn on a footlight or backlight. Hang some shiny stars and tape up some blue and gold streamers.

Blacklight Theater Option:  You can read the script with as few as one, though several voices will be more interesting. Students prepare the script, but also discuss and record "actions" they will perform in the blacklight during the reading. A column in the script has been provided to record which actions are to be performed and when.

This particular blacklight drama has been simplified to encourage first time "black-lighters" It has only two props:  (1) White gloves for the kids to making hand motions that will glow under the blacklight. (2) Fluorescent streamers attached to the back of each performer which will be stretched out to provide the "light" and "glory" in the script at the appointed time. See the special "Blacklight script for teachers" attached to this lesson.

Shadow Puppet Option: As with the other two options, students prepare then perform the script. Shadow puppets are puppets (or persons) standing behind a white screen with a bright light behind them in an otherwise dark room. In addition to moving the puppets and any props you want to use for the Psalm 8 script, shine flashlights to create special effects. In this version of the shadow technique, you would ideally use a blue spotlight bulb to simulate the nighttime sky. This will also make the white light of the flashlights stand out.  The "actions" column in the script is used to record what the students decide the puppets and flashlights are doing during the reading of any particular line in the Psalm script they have completed. Because you're using puppet shadows to show the action, the actual look of the puppets you use is not important. They can even be live actors posing in the scenes. Practice "looking up" and "looking in awe" behind the shadow puppet screen so that students can see how things will appear. Practice using flashlights to shine on and highlight the stars and moon props (on sticks - you've made in advance). 

Open

Welcome your students and ask them what their favorite "space" movie is.

Ask them about the last time they saw a full moon or a meteor. Remind them that God made it all to send a message about himself and about us, and that today's lesson is going to explore what that message was.

Prepare the Script

If your students are unfamiliar with the Psalm, read it from the Bible first. The script is based on the scripture, but draws heavily on the insights and "word studies" found in other lessons in this set and in the Bible Background. Preparing and performing the script is the Bible study. Dramatizing Psalm 8 will help them remember the majesty of its images and meaning.

As you begin to fill-in the script, make sure they understand the connection between what the Psalmist is describing, and what it's like to stand under the nighttime sky. The Psalmist is making a comparison between how the heavens surround and cover us, and how God surrounds and covers us. Between how light shines, and God's glory shines. etc. 

As seen in the script, there are a number of things your students need to fill-in. Feel free to pre-fill any items to speed up this step if you're short on time. The same goes with filling in some of the actions. Ideally, however, it is your students who will make the script their own.

Note: The Blacklight "Teacher's Script" has been completed as an example of the kinds of ideas and words you might want to suggest. Check it out!

Assign speaking roles and write their names next to their lines on the script. Working in small groups or as a class, complete the script. (Reminder: This is a key time to teach!  Don't rush.)

Rehearse

Block out the seating and action with the lights turned on, then rehearse with the "dramatic" lighting appropriate for your presentation style. 

Remind the readers to TAKE THEIR TIME. Discuss "ways" to say certain words and phrases to make their meaning stand out.

Perform

Turn off the lights, turn up the footlights, blacklight, or puppet BACKlight, and cue the readers and actors. Do it twice, changing parts if you have time. 

Adaptations

For Younger Students:  We suggest you use either the Shadow Puppet or Blacklight method. Read the script to them, pausing to ask the questions found in the script and filling in their answers so that what they hear will be what they came up with, not what you came up with.

For blacklight drama, sit in a circle so they can see each other's white gloves illuminated as you walk them through a series of hand motions for them to "copy" ...as someone else slowly reads the script.

For the shadow puppets, practice moving the puppets with the lights on while helpers read the script. Practice moving the "stars, moon, streaming glory" flashlights.  You might also bring in some stuffed "animals" to be the shadow puppets at the end of the Psalm (to be literal, where the script is rather figurative for older children).  Take turns presenting the shadow puppet drama so students see the drama from the audience, and not just from behind the screen.

The Blacklight Drama Option

Why Blacklight? Because it makes white gloves and fluorescent colors GLOW like the nighttime sky!  The partial darkness on the stage also encourages self-conscious students to participate more eagerly.  Blacklight illuminates and rewards MOTION —which in the educational world is known as "kinesthetic" learning and memory. 

Blacklight fixtures are easy to set up and look cool to your kids, especially your OLDER kids. Inexpensive blacklight tubes or bulbs are found in most home improvement stores and fit into standard inexpensive fixtures. As part of your "drama kit" you'll use them again and again. 

The "teacher's copy" of the Drama script for Blacklight has suggested hand and streamer motions. We've also completely filled in the script to give teachers an idea of how the script can be completed by students.

Making the Blacklight streamers:    Use strips of white cloth. These can be painted with stars and streaks using fluorescent paint if you like. You can also purchase fluorescent tape or ribbon that will glow under the blacklight. 

Written by Neil MacQueen, Luanne Payne
and the Rotation.org Writing Team

Copyright 2017, Rotation.org Inc.