BLUE SKY PUPPET THEATRE

"PHASESHIFTERS"

PRE SHOW INFORMATION AND POST SHOW LESSON PLAN

"An educational theatre presentation on avoiding tobacco use as well as alcohol and other drugs"

OBJECTIVES:

To expose children to a creative dramatics presentation centering around the dangers of tobacco as well as alcohol and drug abuse.

To introduce the concept that we have better things to do with our time than use tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

To illustrate how damaging tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse can be to our endeavors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: No preparation is necessary before seeing this show. We prefer that the students see the show without any preconceived ideas about the nature of the story.

TEACHER INFORMATION: The story is about two brothers and their sister as they deal with the problems of tobacco use as well as alcohol and drug use in their own family. Other characters include the basketball coach, who represents an authority figure, and Bouncer, a neighborhood friend.

POST SHOW DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Below is a list of discussion questions for the teacher to use and expand upon in order to involve the students in meaningful dialogue and in an educational experience about the dangers of tobacco, as well as alcohol and drug abuse.

  1. What are Honey, Funny, and Sunny working towards for the weekend?
  2. Why are they practicing so hard?
  3. How does Honey get the boys to start practicing their song?
  4. What was the title of the song?
  5. What are some of the choices that you have made lately?
  6. What does the coach expect from his players?
  7. What does it mean to get the right rest and the right food?
  8. What does it mean to get the right attitude? How do you get it?
  9. Who is Bouncer? Do you know anyone like Bouncer?
  10. What is Honey secretly building?
  11. Why doesn't she want anyone to see it?
  12. What is a phaseshifter? Why was the show called "Phaseshifters?"
  13. In what way are tobacco, drugs and alcohol phaseshifters?
  14. What are the dangers of experimenting with tobacco products?
  15. Alcohol is a drug. What are other drugs? Are they prescription or non-prescription drugs?
  16. When do we need drugs?
  17. How can drugs harm you?
  18. Who should determine whether or not we use them?
  19. How did Funny say "No" to Bouncer?
  20. Why didn't Sunny say "No"?
  21. Who was Sunny hurting when he experimented with Bouncer?
  22. Did the alcohol affect his performance on the court? With the band? With his team?
  23. Why did Sunny drink again the next day?
  24. Has anyone ever asked you to do something you knew was wrong or that you didn't want to do? What did you do?
  25. What are some ways to say "No"?
  26. Why do you think Bouncer kept trying to talk Sunny into drinking and smoking cigarettes?
  27. How did the alcohol affect Sunny's taking of the go-cart? How did it affect his ability to drive?
  28. Some people think it's all right to drink and drive. What do you think? What can happen when people drink and drive?
  29. What can you do if you see someone drinking excessively and attempting to drive?
  30. What can you do if you know someone who used drugs and alcohol?
  31. Do you think Honey had a right to be so angry?
  32. Can you love someone but not like their behavior? Has that ever happened to you?
  33. What was the coach's advice to Sunny?
  34. How does Sunny take the coach's advice and turn it into a song?
  35. What are some of the things you can do with your time that are fun and not damaging to your physical or mental health?
  36. What would be the most exciting thing you could do when you are older? Would drugs hurt your chances to be able to do that?

POST SHOW ACTIVITIES:
  1. Write your own list of things you enjoy.
  2. Write your own list of your goals.
  3. Write plans, blueprint for success, to achieve your goals.
  4. Discuss the increased use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs among elementary and middle school students.
  5. Write stories about the possible consequences of tobacco and substance abuse.
  6. Write letters to local law enforcement officers and invite them to come and talk to the class about substance abuse.
  7. Have students participate in role playing situations, asking others to try drugs. Every student should get a chance to say "No".
  8. Draw scenes from the puppet show to use in an art display.
  9. Develop puppet skits about various aspects of tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse.
  10. Check the school library for books and brochures regarding tobacco and substance abuse.
  11. Write letters to the puppeteers telling them what you thought about the program.

TEACHERS: Thank you for your help! We invite and need your input (criticism, evaluation, suggestions) on the show. We know you're overworked, but if you have ideas for improvement, please drop us a line.

7/09

Blue Sky Puppet Theatre    4301 Van Buren Street    University Park, MD  20782    301-927-5599