Drama · Talking
Hot-seat the fine horse
One person sits in the hot seat as a fine horse who was once a ragged young colt, and answers questions about growing up.
- 30 minutes
- Small group, Whole class
- Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- Classroom
- Printable: interview sheet
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: many a ragged colt made a fine horse. Talk about what it might mean for people.
- In pairs, read the questions on the sheet and add one question of your own at the bottom.
- A volunteer sits in the hot seat as the grown horse. They answer in character, using "I".
- The class asks questions from the sheet one at a time. The person in the seat can say "pass" to any question.
- Swap who sits in the hot seat every few questions.
- Step out of role. Talk about what the horse said and whether it is true of people too.
Questions to talk about
- Why might someone who starts out awkward or slow end up doing well?
- Is it fair to judge someone by how they are now?
- What would you say to someone who feels like the ragged colt today?
You will need
- A chair for the hot seat
- The printed question sheet
Make it fit
Simpler: An adult sits in the hot seat first to show how it works.
More of a stretch: Hot-seat an invented person instead of the horse: someone who struggled at school and later did well at something they love.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The interview sheet
Hot-seat the fine horse
Name
Ask the horse in the hot seat. Note what it says.
- What were you like when you were a young colt?
- Did anyone think you would not turn out well? How did that feel?
- Who helped you along the way?
- What changed as you grew up?
- What would you say to a young colt who feels ragged today?
The instructions card
How to run it · Drama · Talking
Hot-seat the fine horse
One person sits in the hot seat as a fine horse who was once a ragged young colt, and answers questions about growing up.
30 minutesSmall group, Whole classAges 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: many a ragged colt made a fine horse. Talk about what it might mean for people.
- In pairs, read the questions on the sheet and add one question of your own at the bottom.
- A volunteer sits in the hot seat as the grown horse. They answer in character, using "I".
- The class asks questions from the sheet one at a time. The person in the seat can say "pass" to any question.
- Swap who sits in the hot seat every few questions.
- Step out of role. Talk about what the horse said and whether it is true of people too.
You will need
- A chair for the hot seat
- The printed question sheet
Talk about
- Why might someone who starts out awkward or slow end up doing well?
- Is it fair to judge someone by how they are now?
- What would you say to someone who feels like the ragged colt today?
Make it fit
Simpler: An adult sits in the hot seat first to show how it works.
Stretch: Hot-seat an invented person instead of the horse: someone who struggled at school and later did well at something they love.
Goes with the printable interview sheet.