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DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP

Year 8

Autumn Term

1

AUTUMN HALF TERM 1

Topic: Melodrama

Key knowledge:

Students will develop their understanding of the theatre genre Melodrama. They will learn about the social and historical context of Victorian melodrama and Silent Films. Through practical lessons students will develop confidence in movement and exaggeration in performance and create stock characters using stock melodramatic storylines.

Key skills:

To be able to perform in a highly stylised and exaggerated way.

To create stock characters and stock plot in performance.

To develop Melodramatic performances using a script.

Key specialist terminology:

Melodrama

Comedic effect

Stock Characters

Stock Plot

Aside

Direct Audience Address

Dramatic Tension

Dramatic Irony

How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama :

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete a practical assessment at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short, devised piece. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Making: Creating a performance in the genre of Melodrama. Creating clear characters with vocal and physical skills.

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AUTUMN HALF TERM 2

Topic: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

Key knowledge:

To use physical theatre from renowned theatre practitioners Frantic Assembly to learn story telling techniques.

Creating a world on stage that serves the intentions of the writer and which helps the audience to understand how Christopher sees and interprets the world around him

Analysing our own and others’ work and seeking to refine and improve its clarity.

Key skills:

To be able to work with a script focusing on proxemics

To consider staging a scene using proxemics

To be able to work with a script using abstract ensemble work

Key specialist terminology:

Physical Theatre

Ensemble

Frantic Assembly

Rhythm and tempo

Soundscape

Movement

Autistic spectrum

How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama :

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete a practical assessment at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short, devised piece. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Evaluating: Reflect on and evaluate own work and that of others using key terminology. Make judgements and feedback using key terminology.

Year 8

Autumn Term

2

DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP

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SPRING HALF TERM 1

Topic: Conflict: Noughts + Crosses and Romeo and Juliet

Key knowledge:

To explore the concept of conflict through script work. �To explore a variety of different characters.

To consider and reflect on why some conflict arises.

Key skills:

To be able to work with a script focusing on use of voice and diction.

To consider staging a scene using proxemics.

To be able to develop an understanding of how to lift the play from page to stage.

Key specialist terminology:

Staging

Conflict

Resolution

Voice

Diction

Rhythm

Stage directions

Evaluating

Reflecting

Beyond the Classroom:

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

https://www.malorieblackman.co.uk/noughts-and-crosses-2/

Students can watch Contemporary theatre to develop their knowledge and understanding of Theatre at:

https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/

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How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama :

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete a practical assessment at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short, devised piece. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Evaluating: Reflect on and evaluate own work and that of others using key terminology. Make judgements and feedback using key terminology.

Year 8

Spring Term

1

DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP

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SPRING HALF TERM 2

Topic: Missing Dan Nolan

Key knowledge:

Students will develop their knowledge on the style and structure of verbatim theatre. They will explore this genre through the play ‘Missing Dan Nolan’ by Mark Wheeler.

They will explore how characters are created using real-life scenario’s and words.

They will explore how to create tension using dramatic techniques leading to the creation of emotional drama and characters. 

Key skills:

To be able to develop performance skills with a focus on Verbatim scripts.

To be able to stay in role when performing.

To use realism and naturalism to create believable characters on stage.

To interpret and stage script.

Key specialist terminology:

Verbatim

Realism

Naturalism

Abstract techniques

Soundscape

Cross Cutting

Thought Tracking

Ensemble

How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama :

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete a practical assessment at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short, devised piece. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Knowledge: Style and form of Verbatim Theatre

Year 8

Spring Term

2

DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP

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SUMMER HALF TERM 1

Topic: The Tempest

Key knowledge:

To develop an understanding of how to stage a traditional text.

To consider set and costume and how to bring Shakespeare to life.

To use facial expression and body language to successfully create a character.

Key skills:

To be able to analyse the meaning of a traditional text.

To experiment with the language of Shakespeare.

To develop an understanding of the art of story telling.

To take on the role of director.

Key specialist terminology:

Shakespeare

Iambic pentameter

Comedy

Tragedy

Production concept

Style

Voice

Facial expression

Story telling

Mime

Beyond the Classroom:

https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/thetempest/

Students can watch Contemporary theatre to develop their knowledge and understanding of Theatre at:

https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/

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How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama :

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete a practical assessment at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short, devised piece. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Ideas:

Developing ideas of a production style and concept.

Year 8

Summer Term

1

DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP

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SUMMER HALF TERM 2

Topic: Live Theatre Evaluation

Key knowledge:

Evaluating current theatre and using its theories and ideas in practice.

Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of contemporary theatre and learn about modern productions and how they can use ideas from these in their own practical work

Students will responding to the work of others using key Drama terminology in analysis and evaluation.

Key skills:

Creativity: Using imagination to create exciting practical work influenced by the work of professional theatre makers

Evaluation: The ability to analyse meaning in theatre and how this is communicated through performance and production elements by professional theatre makers and how successful theatre makers are in communicating intentions to an audience, using key Drama terminology.

Key specialist terminology:

Analyse

Evaluate

Production Concept

Style and Form

Production elements: Set, Lights, Props, Costume, Staging

Performance elements: Vocal skills, Physical skills, physical theatre.

Genre

Context

Directorial Approach

Beyond the Classroom:

Students can continue to explore Contemporary theatre seen in class to develop their knowledge and understanding at: https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/

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Students can visit local or National Theatres to watch performances and develop their knowledge. Recommended Theatres:

The Rose, Kingston

The Young Vic, London (Waterloo)

The Royal Court, Sloane Square London

The National Theatre, Southbank, London

Battersea Arts Centre, Clapham, London

How will we assess the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in this topic?

Students are assessed against MIKE skills in Drama:

Making, Ideas, Knowledge and Evaluation

Students will complete an assessed discussion at the end of the scheme of work. They will work in groups to prepare a short presentation on Contemporary theatre. Students will be assessed on the following MIKE skills:

Knowledge: Understanding contemporary Theatre and learning about modern productions

Evaluating: Responding to the work of others using key Drama terminology

Year 8

Summer Term

2

DRAMA

CURRICULUM MAP