Learning activities

On this page: Specific learning outcomes | Activity 1: Surround sound | Activity 2: Tried and true SFX | Activity 3: Sound symbols | Activity 4: Creating a soundscape

Specific learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes relate to the four drama strands 'developing practical knowledge in drama' (PK), 'developing ideas in drama' (DI), 'communicating and interpreting in drama' (CI), and 'understanding drama in context' (UC) from The Arts in the New Zealand Curriculum.

During this unit on Producing a radio drama students will:

• understand the role of the producer in a radio drama
• understand the process of producing a radio drama
• create sound effects and select music to enhance a radio drama.

Activity 1: Surround sound

This activity is designed to help you become aware of the layers of sound around you:

• Lie or sit with your eyes closed.
• For a period of 1 minute listen to the sounds around you in your classroom.
• At the end of a minute open your eyes and record five sounds in your journal.
• Close your eyes for a further minute and listen for sounds in the room that you have not recorded.
• Record any more sounds that you have noticed in your journal at the end of a minute. Repeat the exercise focussing on noises from the school grounds, and then noises from outside the school grounds.
• When you have finished the exercise, compare what you heard with another person, then another pair.

Activity 2: Tried and true SFX

Below is a list of tried and true sound effects that can be made to accompany radio plays.

Choose two and find the resources that you need to make them. Experiment with making the sound effects and recording them. Try to change the mood or tension of an imaginary scene by changing the way that you make the sound. Describe how you achieved this in your journal.

Here are some examples you can use:

• Horses hooves: Coconut shells rubbed and clapped together. Use keys for the sound of a jingling harness.
• Walking through long grass/jungle: Tape rustled in hands.
• Walking on snow: Squeeze and twist a roll of cotton wool.
• Fire: Rustle cellophane and break small sticks
• Pouring a drink: Pour water into a partly filled glass so that the pouring sound starts immediately.
• Marching troops: Fill a cardboard box with small gravel. Hold the box in two hands and shake rhythmically.
• Fist fight: A cabbage is punched.

Activity 3: Sound symbols

Download and print 'Sound symbols' (Word, 46KB)

There are recognisable sound symbols that are used in radio drama. In pairs discuss what each sound effect suggests and complete the chart. Compare your ideas to those of others in the class.

Activity 4: Creating a soundscape

A soundscape is a sound picture of a setting. It is used to develop atmosphere, to provide information about time and place. A soundscape can be created with voice, body and instrument but does not use words.

Work in groups of 3–4 to create a soundscape for one of the following settings. Brainstorm the sounds that you would expect to hear in the setting. You may need to research and plan the different sounds that you will create and how you will make them.

Script your soundscape on a large sheet of paper that shows cues and which sounds will be created at what time. Aim for contrast in your soundscape, and a clear beginning, middle, and ending. You may also use silence as part of your soundscape.

Settings:

• the inside of a church
• the docks of a busy port
• the bush at night
• a factory
• a shopping centre.