Drama

Length of Course : This is the second year of the three year Key Stage 3 Drama course.

Course description and aims

To develop students’ understanding of theatre and drama, themselves and the world they live in.

To build their knowledge of a variety of forms of drama and gain satisfaction from working within it.

To build confidence and communication and other life skills.

To develop drama skills and knowledge and how to apply them to create theatre.

To stimulate creativity and problem solving.

To build on the skills and knowledge gained in Year 7.

To develop the use of technology as a useful resource and learning tool

Main concepts and topics covered

Students will develop their knowledge and application of the conventions of theatre and performance.

Students will gain a knowledge different forms of theatre

Students develop their skills and knowledge of drama strategies and elements of drama and how these are used to create performance.

Students will gain an understanding of theatre practitioners and their ideas and how these are reflected through their work and texts.

Student will develop their knowledge of contemporary theatre and theatre-making.

Contents

Elizabethan Theatre and Shakespeare.

Melodrama and its application to modern film making.

Naturalism and Stanislavsky with a focus on how to create character.

Devising/Physical Theatre-using movement as a stimulus and to tell a story

Course outcomes

Students will:

Perform a variety of extracts from Realist plays

Perform in a variety of Shakespearian extracts

Create and perform their own mini-Melodrama

Complete research about Elizabethan Theatre, Melodrama and Physical Theatre and present it to others

Create and perform their own piece of theatre, working from a stimulus

Types of assessment

Students will have both practical and written assessment throughout the year.

During lessons, students will be continuously assessed through observation and be given verbal and written feedback, which will be formalised and used to set individual targets.

Continuous assessment will take the form of teacher, peer or self-assessment.

Written work will be set as required, usually for homework, and marked and recorded formally once a half term.

A summative practical assessment will be completed at the end of every unit.

Online testing of key terminology

Methodology

All lessons are practical lessons.

Written work in undertaken to support practical work and to develop an understanding of why something is being done; this creates practical work that is meaningful for both performer and audience.

Text and materials

A selection of Shakespearian extracts

A selection of extracts from Realist plays

A selection of short Melodrama scripts

Relevant videos and images

Grading policy

Students will be assessed using Key Performance Indicators and awarded a level between 1-7

Additional expectations

It is really important that students are exposed to Theatre as much as possible so they can develop and apply their skills and talents. Going to the theatre and being involved in school productions will give them another experience of theatre and allow them to develop as a performer and a student of Drama.