Education3501

PeterVooys
CurriculumOverview:Drama
PHILOSOPHY:

According to the Program of Studies, Drama is both an art form

and a means of learning and teaching. Drama develops the whole
person - emotionally, physically, intellectually, imaginatively,
aesthetically and socially. This growth is encouraged in a noncompetitive, cooperative, supportive, joyful, yet challenging
atmosphere. Drama fosters positive self-concept in students,
imaginative exploration and reflection on the consequences of their
actions. This reflection provides the knowledge for self-development in
the individual as a creator, performer, historian, critic, and patron.

Thereare3GLOsintheProgramofStudies:

1.Toacquireknowledgeofselfandothersthroughparticipationinandreflectionon
dramaticexperience.

ElementaryThestudentwillgrowinselfunderstandingandselfconfidence,
fosteredbysuccessandacceptance.Theywilldevelopsensoryawareness,
observationalskills,imaginativethought,andemotionalcontrol.Abstract
conceptsarerealized,aswellasrespectforothers.

MiddleSchool/HighSchoolThestudentwilldevelopselfdiscipline,
concentration,vocalandphysicalabilities,thoughtandemotionalcontrol,
commitmenttodecisionsandtheirconsequences,responsibility,initiative,group
work,respectforothers,andhowtoofferandacceptcritique.

2.Todevelopcompetencyincommunicationskillsthroughparticipationinand
explorationofvariousdramaticdisciplines.

ElementaryThestudentwilldevelopanawarenessofthebodyandvoicefor
communication,anabilitytodiscussexperiences,usedramaticsymbols,and
committoroles.

MiddleSchool/HighSchoolThestudentwillexploretechniquesrequiredby
variousdramaticforms,becomefamiliarwithdramaticterminology,scripts,and
disciplineswhichenhancedramaticprocesses,andgainawarenessofhowthe
integrationofdisciplinesenrichesthedramaticarts.

3.Todevelopanappreciationofdramaandtheatreasaprocessandartform.

ElementaryThestudentwillrespectthepotentialinthemselvesandothers,
analyze,evaluate,andsynthesizeideasandexperiences,anddevelopan
appreciationforthevariousformsofdramaticexpression.

MiddleSchool/HighSchoolThestudentwilldevelopanawarenessofdramatic
conventionsthroughviewingagreatvarietyoftheatricalpresentations,theability
toanalyzeandassesstheprocessandtheart,andrecognizeandrespectdramatic
excellence.

CONTENT:
The Elementary Program of Studies gives the option for drama to be a separate class,
or integrated with other subjects. All grade levels contain the same SLOs, centered on
the disciplines Focus on Moving, Focus on Speaking, and Focus on Moving and
Speaking at the same time. The Program of Studies in Middle School and High School
delineates Drama as a separate optional class. Middle School and High School Drama
include 4 disciplines that communicate, and 4 disciplines that enhance communication.

The 4 disciplines that communicate are Movement, Speech, Improvisation and

Acting
The 4 disciplines that enhance communication are Theatre Studies, Technical
Theatre/Design, Directing, and Playwriting
Disciplines may either be integrated as appropriate, or treated as separate units of
study.

The Middle School Drama Program includes Movement, Speech,

Improvisation/Acting, Theatre Studies, and Technical Theatre. These disciplines are

incorporated at each grade level. The High School Drama Program incorporates these
disciplines, as well as Playwriting in Drama 20 and Directing in Drama 30.
There are many SLOs in the Program of Studies:
There are a variety of SLOs for each discipline, here is a brief sampling.

Elementary Drama, Storytelling: sample SLO- Communicate the meaning of a piece of

literature

Middle School Drama, Improvisation/Acting: Level III, SLO 27- Identify and
create a believable emotional build
Drama 20, Improvisation: SLO 31- Demonstrate the ability to focus on, and
achieve, the objective of a scene.

To conclude, Drama is a subject that will build capacities for artistic and performative
skills such as performing a role, designing a set, textual analysis, and directing a play.
The practice of Drama also includes the development of myriad hard and soft skills,
which are easily transferable to the world of work, and other contexts. These skills
include public speaking, improvisation, co-operation, problem solving, creative thinking,
critical thinking, and memorization.