Year 9 Dance-Drama
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss N. Brink.
YEAR 9 DANCE-DRAMA
In Year 9 Dance-Drama students will be introduced to Dance and Drama elements, conventions and techniques that will enable them to move, think and interact so they can create and perform short Dance and Drama works. Students do not need to have previous experience in Dance or Drama to join this course. You just need to be keen to learn and willing to participate in all activities.
By the end of the semester you will have learned how to work as a team and performed Drama and Dance live. You will have had fun, and you will know if you want to choose these subjects as an option for Year 10. You may find you are more interested in one of these subjects, and not both. That's OK. During the course you will need to participate in both, but you can work at your own level and bring your main interest and skills to each of the learning activities.
This course has a practical focus and emphasizes these essential skill areas:
1. Developing personal creativity through creating and devising your own work. You will be stepped through a framework for learning that will ensure success.
2. Developing foundational skills and knowledge in use of the elements and conventions of Dance and Drama. You will interpret motivational stimuli, be supported to make work, and be challenged to participate in different forms of dance and drama.
3. Building self-confidence and self-esteem. You grow through increased exposure to informal performance situations in the safety of the classroom.
4. Developing important social and relational skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and tolerantly with others, and learning how to negotiate and compromise. These are essential skills for life.
This course promotes learning through active participation and creative risk-taking. Part of the joy of Dance and Drama is that you don’t just learn : you actively engage and create. Through individual and collaborative activities, students discover how to link imagination, thoughts, and feelings. You will learn to interpret and communicate ideas, practice problem solving, and will extend your creative thinking skills.
Course Overview
Term 1
Semester A - Term 1
Students will complete 2 assessments this term:
1. Devise and perform a drama based on a Pūrakau (story / myth) in groups
2. Create and perform a group sāsā dance
Term 2
Semester A - Term 2
Students will complete 2 assessments this term:
1. Choreograph a group dance using the five elements of dance
2. Learn and perform a scripted drama in groups
Term 3
Semester B - Term 3
Students will complete 2 assessments this term:
1. Devise and perform a drama based on a Pūrakau (story / myth) in groups
2. Create and perform a group sāsā dance
Term 4
Semester B - Term 4
Students will complete 2 assessments this term:
1. Choreograph a group dance using the five elements of dance
2. Learn and perform a scripted drama in groups
Recommended Prior Learning
You do not need any prior Dance or Drama experience for this course, but you need to come ready to learn and be willing to participate. If you have been learning Dance or have dance and movement skills from your own culture, you will be able to bring that knowledge to the class and use it in your learning.
You might be more interested in either Dance or Drama, and not both. That's OK. You will need to participate in both aspects of the course, but you can do so at your own level and major on your main interest and skills as the course progresses.
Pathway
Year 9 Dance-Drama leads to half and full year courses in Dance or Drama in Year 10 . Students can then continue on and study Dance and / or Drama as full year courses at all senior levels. Dance and Drama are wonderful courses to build many essential capabilities, such as confidence, communication, collaboration and creative thinking.