End the Week with a Win (by D. M. Larson, Freedrama.net) is a fantastic collection of short classroom plays and scenes. Since it’s written in mini-plays/skits, it works beautifully for a variety-show style performance where small groups each prepare their own scene, and the whole class comes together at the end.
Here’s a student-friendly 8-week drama plan to prepare End the Week with a Win for performance:
🎭 8-Week Drama Plan
Play: End the Week with a Win (collection of short plays for kids/teens)
Performance Date: Week 8
Week 1 – Introduction & Casting
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🎲 Icebreakers (Name & Gesture, Zip Zap Zop, Emotion Walk)
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📖 Read a selection of the short plays aloud (The Buzzy Bunch, Mind Over Muscle, This Is My Song, etc.).
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🎭 Casting: Split students into small groups, each assigned a short play/skit.
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🗂️ Hand out scripts and highlight roles.
Goal: Every student has a script and group assignment.
Week 2 – First Read-Throughs
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📖 Each group reads their short play with assigned roles.
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💡 Discuss characters: What makes them funny, unique, or exaggerated?
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🎤 Practice using loud voices and expressive delivery.
Goal: Students understand their characters and stories.
Week 3 – Blocking Part 1
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🎭 Groups block (stage) their skits — entrances, exits, where to stand/sit.
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🤸 Practice physical comedy and big gestures (these plays are funny and playful).
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🔁 Each group runs their skit once in front of just the teacher.
Goal: Students know where they move and how they interact.
Week 4 – Blocking Part 2
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🔁 Groups perform their skits for the class.
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👏 Peer feedback: What was funny, clear, or could be bigger?
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🎭 Add simple movements and stage pictures to make scenes more visual.
Goal: Students grow confident performing in front of each other.
Week 5 – Character & Comedy
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🚶 Character Walks – practice walking and moving like their character.
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😂 Comedy timing workshop – practice pauses, reactions, and exaggeration.
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🎭 Each group runs their skit again with added expression.
Goal: Build confidence in character voices, timing, and reactions.
Week 6 – Full Showcase Run-Throughs
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🎬 Run all skits in order as a variety show.
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📝 Teacher gives notes on volume, pacing, and clarity.
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🔁 Groups re-run their skits with adjustments.
Goal: Students see how the whole performance fits together.
Week 7 – Adding Props & Costumes
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🎒 Introduce simple props (school items, hats, scarves, etc.).
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👕 Add simple costumes or character accessories.
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🎭 Run the entire show with props/costumes.
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👏 Practice group bows and transitions between skits.
Goal: The show feels complete and performance-ready.
Week 8 – Showtime!
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🎭 Day 1: Dress Rehearsal (full costumes + props, run without stopping).
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🎬 Day 2: Final Run (treat it like a real show).
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🌟 Day 3: Performance Day – Share with families, other classes, or record it.
Goal: Students celebrate their work and “end the week with a win”!
✨ Why this plan works:
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The play’s structure (short skits) lets every group rehearse separately, then combine into one performance.
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It keeps rehearsals active—no student is ever sitting for long.
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It builds gradually: start with small group comfort, then expand to full class performance.
Student Rehearsal Calendar
Play: End the Week with a Win (by D. M. Larson)
Performance Date: Week 8
✅ Week 1 – Getting Started
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🎲 Play drama games to get to know each other
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📖 Read through the short plays together
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🎭 Get your group & role assigned
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✏️ Highlight your lines in your script
✅ Week 2 – Meet Your Character
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📖 Read your skit with your group
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🎤 Practice loud, clear voices
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🎭 Talk about your character’s personality (funny? serious? silly?)
✅ Week 3 – Blocking Part 1
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🚶 Learn where to stand, sit, and move in your skit
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🤸 Try out gestures and funny movements
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🎭 Run your skit once for the teacher
✅ Week 4 – Blocking Part 2
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🎭 Perform your skit for the class
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👏 Give kind feedback to other groups
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🔁 Try it again with bigger voices and actions
✅ Week 5 – Character & Comedy
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🚶 Walk and move like your character
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😂 Practice timing (pauses, reactions, silly faces)
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🎭 Run your skit with more expression
✅ Week 6 – Full Show Run
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🎬 Run all skits in performance order
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📝 Listen to notes about volume, pacing, and entrances
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🔁 Fix small things and run again
✅ Week 7 – Props & Costumes
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🎒 Bring simple props (school supplies, hats, fun items)
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👕 Add simple costumes or accessories
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🎭 Run the whole show with props/costumes
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👏 Practice group bows and smooth transitions
✅ Week 8 – Showtime!
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🎭 Day 1: Dress rehearsal (full run, no stopping)
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🎬 Day 2: Final run (pretend it’s the real show)
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🌟 Day 3: PERFORMANCE! Celebrate your hard work!
✨ Tips for Success
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Always bring your script.
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Highlight your lines.
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Practice at home 5–10 minutes.
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Be supportive—cheer for your classmates!
