Create suspense, atmosphere and theatrical tension with this complete six-lesson Drama scheme for students aged 12–14.
Suitable for UK Key Stage 3 and lower-secondary Drama programmes internationally, the scheme introduces students to the performance and technical choices used to create ghost stories on stage.
Students explore suspense, the three-time rule, climax and anti-climax, Foley sound, props, costume and lighting before devising an original three-scene Ghost Play.
The unit culminates in a 5–8 minute group performance in which students create believable characters, establish a clear mystery and use sound, silence, staging and technical choices to shape the audience’s response.
What is included
Six editable PowerPoint lesson presentations
60 presentation slides
An 11-page Teacher Pack with lesson guidance, learning objectives, preparation notes, safety guidance and differentiation
Teacher guidance for the modelled suspense activity in Lesson 1
Printable haunted letters for Lesson 2
A student-facing Creative Devising Project Brief
An eight-page Student Planning Pack
Six pages of dramatic stimuli for the final devising project
Structured evaluation and feedback activities
Students will explore
The conventions of ghost plays and horror
Suspense, tension and atmosphere
The three-time rule
Climax and anti-climax
Vocal and physical characterisation
Rhythm, pace and tempo
Live Foley sound
Props, costume and lighting
Planning, rehearsing and refining an original performance
Flexible classroom use
The scheme is planned as six lessons of approximately 60 minutes. Teachers can adapt the activities for different timetables, performance spaces, class sizes and levels of prior Drama experience.
The presentations are fully editable, allowing teachers to adjust terminology, timings and instructions for their own school context.
Recommended age range: 12–14 Curriculum level: Lower secondary / UK Key Stage 3 Suggested UK year group: Year 8/9 or equivalent Suitable for: UK and international schools teaching Drama in English Format: Editable PowerPoint presentations and printable PDF resources
