PROJECT

Curricular Areas: Language & Literacy, Art, Drama, Dance, Music, Careers and ICT.

Learning Opportunities & Skills: Reading, performing, interpreting, presenting, writing, collaboration, role-play, choreography, organising and leadership.

Description

Using stimuli from a range of genres, both classical and contemporary, learners are given the opportunity to develop a host of performance skills. As the title suggests, students will participate in activities inspired by a stage school curriculum. It is hoped that, by the end of the unit, students showing enthusiasm for one or more areas will be encouraged to establish and maintain an extra-curricular club that will give them the opportunity to develop their talents further. Having fun and discovering what it takes to be an actor, dancer, film producer etc. is also a fundamental aspect of this unit.

There are 6 activities but each activity may take several lessons (depending on students’ age and ability) to complete. Generally speaking, this unit is most suitable for students aged 14yrs or older. This is a cross-curricular approach to teaching the arts, so before you start you will need to co-ordinate the teaching across subject departments. This shouldn’t pose serious problems but you may have to make short-term adjustments to teachers’ timetables.

The unit ends with learners establishing extra-curricular clubs for different aspects of the arts. You will need support from colleagues to help learners establish and maintain these clubs so try and recruit colleagues that are willing to help before you start this unit.

So, without further ado… Lights! Cameras! … Action!

ACTIVITIES

Station 1: Pinterest Poem
Following a collaborative drama task, students use Pinterest to present their understanding of a literary text to the class.

Station 2: Audio Actors
Using audio recording and editing software (Audacity), students begin to experience the roles of researcher, technician, actor, writer, producer, director and manager by performing their very own radio play.

Station 3: Musical Monologues
By using humorous on line tools with voice recording capabilities (Blabberize), students (particularly shy individuals) are encouraged to sing to an audience.

Station 4: Documentary Divas
In pairs, learners prepare, film and present a short ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary using iMovie or Windows Movie Maker.

Station 5: Bustin’ Moves
Students use engaging on line tools (DancingPaul) and videos to create and record their own dance routines.

Station 6: All Stars!
Students create a digital presentation to publicise and promote a performing arts club that they wish to establish.

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