Drama in Year 7
In Year 7, you will study both dance and drama. You will have dance for one
half of the year and drama for the other half. The changeover will come after
the February half term break. Until September you will not know which subject
you will study first.
The units of study covered in Year 7 drama are as follows:
Unit
1
Drama technique/topic
C
P
E
2
C
P
Still Image – this technique teaches you how
to make ‘living pictures’ to communicate
ideas about a subject. You will use all of the
drama skills opposite.
Mime – this technique encourages you to
make good use of focus, gesture and facial
expression to communicate without words.
E
3
C
P
Silent Movies – this unit gives you the
opportunity to work in groups to produce a
Silent Movie to proper Silent Movie music!
The additional skills of exaggeration and
comedy are very important in this unit.
E
4
C
P
E
Pantomime (January) OR
‘Pyramus & Thisbe’ (June/July)
In either of these units you will work in
groups to create a piece of drama with a
simple script. You will be expected to learn
your lines and all stage directions you have
planned with your group.
You will also have access to simple costume
and props.
Key Drama skills
covered

Facial expression

Gesture

Body language

Space and levels

Focus

Facial expression

Gesture

Body language

Space and levels

Focus

Facial expression

Gesture

Body language

Space and levels

Focus

Exaggeration

Comedy









Facial expression
Gesture
Body language
Space and levels
Focus
Exaggeration
Comedy
Voice
Speech
We divide the work we do in drama lessons into 3 distinct phases:
C
Creating
You will be working in small groups/with other
people to develop your ideas and to create a
piece of drama.
P
Performing
You will be working in small groups/with other
people to perform/share the work you have
helped to develop and create. You will not be
asked to perform on your own.
E
Evaluating
You will sometimes work on your own, sometimes
in pairs, groups or as a class to provide
feedback/evaluation of other people’s work and
of your own. Sometimes this evaluation must be
written into your drama notebooks.
Assessment in drama:
You will be assessed in all three drama phases. Your teacher will assess you in
most lessons on your ability to work well with others to create a piece of
drama. You will be formally assessed on some performances you give (you will
always be told when this is going to happen) and other times you will share
your work without being assessed. You will also be assessed on your ability to
evaluate your own and others’ drama work.
You will be given guidance and keywords and terminology to help you to
succeed in drama. You will also be given homework – approximately 5 pieces
one of which will be learning lines. Most homework will be evaluating the work
we have done.
We hope you enjoy your drama course!