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The Arts · Year 2

Active learning ideas

Becoming Someone Else

Active role-play helps students move beyond abstract ideas of character to lived experience. When they physically and vocally embody traits like shyness or bravery, the learning sticks. Costumes and props can wait; body and voice come first in building believable people.

ACARA Content DescriptionsAC9ADR2E01AC9ADR2D01
15–25 minPairs → Whole Class3 activities

Activity 01

Simulation Game20 min · Whole Class

Simulation Game: The Character Wardrobe

Students are given a single accessory (a scarf, a cane, a crown). They must move around the room and interact with others, showing how that one item changes their walk and their voice.

Explain how changing your voice changes how the audience sees your character.

Facilitation TipDuring The Character Wardrobe, limit props to one scarf or hat so students focus on how posture and gesture change with minimal support.

What to look forAsk students to stand in a neutral pose. Then, instruct them to adopt a posture that shows they are hiding a secret. Observe and note which students effectively use their bodies to communicate this idea.

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Activity 02

Think-Pair-Share15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Voice Swap

Students are given a simple sentence like 'It is raining.' They practice saying it to a partner as a grumpy giant, a tiny mouse, and a brave explorer, discussing how the meaning changes.

Analyze what a character's posture can tell us about their secrets.

Facilitation TipIn Voice Swap, model both the neutral voice and the transformed voice yourself before students pair up.

What to look forPresent students with a simple scenario, like 'a character who is very excited but trying to be quiet.' Ask: 'How would you change your voice? How would you change your body? What costume piece might help?' Facilitate a class discussion on their ideas.

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Activity 03

Role Play25 min · Whole Class

Role Play: Hot Seating

One student sits in the 'hot seat' as a character from a known story. The rest of the class asks them questions about their life, and the student must answer in character using their chosen voice and posture.

Design how we show an audience who we are without using any words.

Facilitation TipFor Hot Seating, prepare three quick questions that probe the character’s feelings, fears, and secrets to push depth in responses.

What to look forGive each student a card with a character trait (e.g., shy, brave, grumpy). Ask them to draw a simple picture showing a posture that represents this trait and write one sentence explaining why they chose it.

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A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with neutral exercises so students feel safe experimenting before an audience forms. Use mirrors or phone cameras for instant self-feedback. Research shows children learn best when they see themselves change in real time, so keep mirrors close during early rehearsals.

Students should show they can adjust posture, facial expression, and vocal tone to create distinct characters. They should also listen actively during role play and give feedback that refers to specific performance choices rather than general opinions.


Watch Out for These Misconceptions

  • During The Character Wardrobe, watch for students who pick large or colorful props to carry the scene.

    Swap props for a plain scarf and ask students to use only body and voice to show age, mood, and status in a no-prop role play.

  • During Voice Swap, children often mimic cartoon voices or loud voices to be funny.

    After the peer feedback round, ask students to try a voice that matches the character’s circumstances, not the joke, using a quiet, serious, or tired tone as options.


Methods used in this brief