Plates of Plenty: Drama for a World Without Hunger
2. Zero Hunger
Drama
Grades 5-8
45-60 Minutes
Materials Needed
- • Open space for movement and acting
- • Whiteboard or large chart paper
- • Markers
- • Notebooks or Paper
- • Pens/Pencils
- • Character Cards
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
You can find an introduction to Goal 2, as well as the Targets & Indicators, Objectives, and Action Planning Resources on the Goal overview page.
See Goal 2 Overview
Welcome students to a fun drama lesson today, and let them know they will be using acting and storytelling to explore an important idea: Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
Explain that Global Goal 2 is a commitment to make sure everyone, everywhere, has enough healthy food to eat, all the time. It means kids can grow strong and learn well, and families have enough nutritious food every day. It's about fairness, health, and making sure no one goes hungry.
Talk to students about how actors are incredible storytellers. They can use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to show feelings, problems, and amazing solutions without even needing a big script.
Tell students that today, they will be actors, showing what a world with and without hunger looks like, and how we can all take steps to get closer to the reality of Global Goal 2.
1
Set Up Food Web
Have students stand in a large circle. Explain that the class will be creating a "Food Web Challenge." Think about how everyone and everything is connected when it comes to getting food, from the sun and rain to farmers, cooks, and people who eat. Each of us is a part of this web. Distribute simple roles (or have students choose). Examples: Nature Elements (Sun, rain, soil), Growers (Farmer, gardener), Processors/Transporters (Baker, truck driver, store manager), Preparers/Servers (Cook, parent, cafeteria worker), Eaters (Child, teen, adult).
2
Phase 1: Healthy Food Web (Flow)
First, let's show our healthy food web working smoothly. When I tap you on the shoulder, do a simple, silent action or sound that shows your role, and then touch the next person in the chain who depends on you.
Example Chain: Teacher taps "Sun" (shines brightly), → Sun taps "Rain" (gentle finger wiggles) → Rain taps "Soil" (slow settling movement) → Soil taps "Farmer" (digging motion) → Farmer taps "Truck Driver" (steering motion) → Truck Driver taps "Grocer" (stacking motion) → Grocer taps "Cook" (stirring motion) → Cook taps "Child" (eating motion).
Go around the circle a few times, letting the chain flow.
Example Chain: Teacher taps "Sun" (shines brightly), → Sun taps "Rain" (gentle finger wiggles) → Rain taps "Soil" (slow settling movement) → Soil taps "Farmer" (digging motion) → Farmer taps "Truck Driver" (steering motion) → Truck Driver taps "Grocer" (stacking motion) → Grocer taps "Cook" (stirring motion) → Cook taps "Child" (eating motion).
Go around the circle a few times, letting the chain flow.
3
Phase 2: The Challenge (Disruption)
Now, let's see what happens if there is a small challenge! We will introduce a hiccup, and the person whose role is affected will show it, then everyone else in the chain will react silently.
Examples: "The rain doesn't come for a long time" (Rain looks sad and withers), "The truck gets a flat tire" (Truck Driver acts frustrated), "The stove breaks" (Cook looks confused).
Examples: "The rain doesn't come for a long time" (Rain looks sad and withers), "The truck gets a flat tire" (Truck Driver acts frustrated), "The stove breaks" (Cook looks confused).
4
Phase 3: The Solution (Teamwork)
Now, let's see how our food web works together to solve it. A hiccup will again be introduced, but now when we arrive at that problem, everyone freeze. Then, the person who caused the problem, or someone else nearby, will show a solution, and the chain will flow happily again.
Examples: For "no rain" the "Farmer" might mime watering plants. For "flat tire" the "Grocer" might mime calling for help.
Lead the entire circle through this problem-and-solution chain a few times. Discuss how interconnected everyone is.
Examples: For "no rain" the "Farmer" might mime watering plants. For "flat tire" the "Grocer" might mime calling for help.
Lead the entire circle through this problem-and-solution chain a few times. Discuss how interconnected everyone is.
1
Draw Character and Action Cards
Tell the class they are now going to create short scenes. To get these ideas, they will pick some cards that give each student a "character" and an "action/feeling" word to spark their imagination. Have each student draw one "character card" and one "action/feeling card."
2
Think About Your Character
Give students 1-2 minutes to think silently: Who is your character? What is their action or feeling? How do these two words connect to Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger? How could their body and face show this?
3
Share Examples
Invite a few volunteers to briefly share their combination and a quick, silent pose or sound it inspires.
Examples:
• Character: Farmer, Action: Worried → Farmer looking at dry land, wringing hands
• Character: Child, Action: Celebrating → Child jumping with joy while holding an apple
• Character: Food Bank Volunteer, Action: Sharing → Volunteer holding out a box of food
• Character: Parent, Action: Searching → Parent looking through empty cupboard, a sad sigh
This activity will generate ideas that can be built upon for the next activity.
Examples:
• Character: Farmer, Action: Worried → Farmer looking at dry land, wringing hands
• Character: Child, Action: Celebrating → Child jumping with joy while holding an apple
• Character: Food Bank Volunteer, Action: Sharing → Volunteer holding out a box of food
• Character: Parent, Action: Searching → Parent looking through empty cupboard, a sad sigh
This activity will generate ideas that can be built upon for the next activity.
1
Set Up Group Scenes
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). Each group will draw one "challenge card" and one "solution card." Explain that each group will create a short, silent scene (like a mini-play without words) that lasts about 30 seconds to one minute.
2
Scene Requirements
Each scene needs to show:
The Challenge: Show the problem from the "challenge card" (e.g., not enough food in the cupboard).
The Solution: Show how people work together to solve that problem, using the idea from the "solution card" (e.g., friends bringing a meal).
The Challenge: Show the problem from the "challenge card" (e.g., not enough food in the cupboard).
The Solution: Show how people work together to solve that problem, using the idea from the "solution card" (e.g., friends bringing a meal).
3
Encourage Groups to Consider
Characters: Who are the people in the scene? How do they show what they're feeling?
Body Language and Facial Expressions: How can they use their bodies and faces to tell the story clearly without words?
Action: What simple actions can they use to show the challenge and the solution?
Teamwork: How does everyone in the group contribute to the scene?
Props (Optional): Can they use any simple classroom props?
Body Language and Facial Expressions: How can they use their bodies and faces to tell the story clearly without words?
Action: What simple actions can they use to show the challenge and the solution?
Teamwork: How does everyone in the group contribute to the scene?
Props (Optional): Can they use any simple classroom props?
4
Guiding Questions
Circulate among groups, offering guidance and encouragement. Ask questions like: What's happening in the beginning of your scene? How does that show the challenge? How are your characters moving to show they're trying to find a solution? What action or feeling shows the "solution" part of your scene best? How can you make the ending feel hopeful and happy? Are you thinking about how your characters interact with each other? What simple sound or gesture could add to your story without using words?
1
Perform Scenes
Have each group perform their short, silent scene for the class.
2
Facilitate Discussion
After each performance, facilitate a brief discussion:
• Ask the audience (classmates): What challenge did you see in the scene? What solution did the characters show?
• Invite the performing group to share: What was your challenge card and solution card? How did you try to show it?
• Discuss: How did this scene connect to Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger? What feelings did you see or experience?
Celebrate all the creative ideas and teamwork.
• Ask the audience (classmates): What challenge did you see in the scene? What solution did the characters show?
• Invite the performing group to share: What was your challenge card and solution card? How did you try to show it?
• Discuss: How did this scene connect to Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger? What feelings did you see or experience?
Celebrate all the creative ideas and teamwork.
1
Reflection Circle
Gather students in a circle. Explain that they will now reflect on what they've learned and created today. Pass around an imaginary "plate" (mime it). As each student receives the plate, they can share one thing: One thing they learned about Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger today. One way they can help make sure everyone has enough food (in their home, school, or community). One feeling they had during today's drama activities.
2
Symbolic Closing
Students can pass the plate if they prefer not to share, but encourage everyone to participate. After everyone has shared (or passed), have the whole class stand and mime placing their imaginary plates together in the center of the circle, symbolizing working together for a world with Zero Hunger.
Have students reflect on their learning experience through discussion or writing. Ask guiding questions like:
1
How did using drama and acting help you understand Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger in a new way?
2
What did you learn about the challenges people face when they don't have enough food, and how communities can work together to solve these problems?
3
Which scenes or character performances made you think or feel the most, and why?
4
How does the "Food Web Challenge" activity show us how connected we all are when it comes to food?
5
What's one small action you can take in your own life today to help work towards a world where everyone has enough healthy food?
- Consistent and enthusiastic involvement in all phases of the lesson, including the warm-up, card activities, group scene creation, performances, reflection circle, and class discussions.
- Understanding of the core concept of Global Goal 2 (Zero Hunger, ensuring everyone has enough healthy food), as demonstrated through scene content, character choices, and verbal contributions during discussions.
- Originality and effectiveness in using body language, facial expressions, and silent action to clearly convey both the challenges and solutions related to hunger. Look for clear storytelling and emotional expression without words.
- Ability to work effectively within small groups during the scene creation, contributing ideas, respecting diverse interpretations, collaborating cohesively, and ensuring all group members participate.
- Ability to articulate learning, personal connections, and potential actions during the reflection circle and summary discussion.
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