Curriculum – Level 6

The following are suggestions of ways “Don’t Move Puppet Theatre” could fit into the AusVELS Level 6.

These are just a few suggestions, there would certainly be many more. Excerpts are taken directly from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website here.

[See the other levels here: Foundation Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5]

Fluffy button

Both my show and workshop incursions fit easily into THE ARTS curriculum. Students are shown behind the scenes of my puppet theatre and learn a great deal about performance. The workshops also develop a hands on approach to creativity and art. Even my handouts after each visit encourage the children to be creative in making their own mini theatres from a ‘colouring-in’ poster.

“As students work towards the achievement of Level 6 standards in the Arts, they investigate a range of traditional and contemporary arts forms, styles, media, materials, equipment and technologies in the arts disciplines of Dance, Drama, Media, Music and Visual Arts, individually and in combination. They learn about ways to design, improvise, represent, interpret, make and present arts works that communicate feelings and their interests and understanding of themselves, their relationships and other people. For example, in Drama, students role-play situations and events, sustaining role/character throughout their group or solo performance. Students research, improvise, practise and rehearse skills, techniques and processes, using a range of media, materials, equipment and technologies.  Students learn to evaluate their own and other people’s arts works showing some understanding of selected arts forms and their particular techniques and processes as well as an emerging understanding of the qualities of arts elements, principles and/or conventions. At Level 6, students independently and collaboratively experiment with and apply a range of skills, techniques and processes using a range of media, materials, equipment and technologies to plan, develop, refine, make and present arts works. They investigate a range of sources to generate ideas and manipulate arts elements, principles and/or conventions in a range of arts disciplines and forms as they explore the potential of ideas. In their arts works, they communicate ideas and understandings about themselves and others, incorporating influences from their own and other cultures and times. They evaluate the effectiveness of their arts works and make changes to realise intended aims.”

Punch button

In CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP confidence in your own abilities and public speaking are developed. Drama has a large influence on this area of development. After seeing my show or making a puppets, students can be encouraged to perform their own works, including writing simple scripts or performing infron of their peers.

Grandad button

COMMUNICATION is important in all aspects of life. At the beginning of my show sessions I discuss how to be a good audience member, how to listen well and join in when appropriate. Much of this is covered in the communication topic as per below.

“Students use their understanding of communication conventions to communicate effectively with peers and to respond appropriately when they are part of an audience; for example, by waiting for the communication of others to be completed before responding. They practise listening attentively to identify and communicate main points to others. They reflect on the implicit messages received through body language and begin to understand that verbal and non-verbal messages do not always correspond. They practise sending consistent messages during their interactions. Students experience a variety of aural, written and visual communication forms in both formal and informal settings; for example electronic communication, performance and oral presentations. With support, they interpret these forms and begin to understand that their interpretation may be influenced by their own knowledge, values and beliefs, by persuasive devices such as emotive language, and by the opinions of others. At Level 6, students ask clarifying questions about ideas and information they listen to and view. They develop interpretations of the content and provide reasons for them.”

Mr Bull button

My puppet making workshops easily fit into the DESIGN, CREATIVITY & TECHNOLOGY topic . Children learn to use different materials in new ways at the same time as being creative and letting their imaginations grow. My workshops are constantly used for this technology based topic to great result. Many of my workshop materials are recycled.

“Students contribute to the development of design briefs that include some limitations and specifications by posing questions about and identifying situations, problems, needs and opportunities for the creation of useful products and simple systems. They explore ideas and concepts about design, materials and systems, and consider how these can be combined in innovative ways to create solutions. Students learn to develop step-by-step plans for production and use a variety of production techniques, tools, materials and systems components to make products safely. Taking into account feedback from peers and teachers, students consider how the product or system they have made, and the processes they have used, could be improved. They also reflect on the impact that products and systems and the uses of materials have on people and the environment. Students use their production plan and select and work safely with a variety of materials and systems components to produce functional products and/or systems. They use a range of measuring, marking, joining/combining techniques to alter materials and finishing/presentation methods, and operate tools and equipment competently, showing consideration of safety and hygiene, and record their progress.”

Billy button

My performances and their relevance to developing stories and scripts in ENGLISH are obvious. After seeing a show and behind the scenes, students are always inspired to go away and create their own shows for each other. I suggest how students can make their own theatres and I have seen this happen immediately when I return to the same school the following day.

“The English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Teaching and learning programs should balance and integrate all three strands. Students listen to, read, view, interpret and evaluate spoken, written and multimodal texts in which the primary purpose is aesthetic, as well as texts designed to inform and persuade. These include various types of media texts including newspapers, film and digital texts, junior and early adolescent novels, poetry, non-fiction, and dramatic performances. They describe how events, characters and settings in texts are depicted and explain their own responses to them.”

Jason button

My shows and workshops can encourage talk of the HISTORY of puppetry. The obvious benefits of drama can also help students be more confident in sharing their work on history through different forms of communication including oral, graphic, written and role play.

Judy button

Many of my shows touch on aspects of INTERPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. In particular, “The Wizard’s Tale”, “Three Animal Stories” and “Punch & Judy” partially deal with friendship, getting along and bullying being unacceptable. Other shows too have strong morals written within them without necessarily being the theme or learning focus of the shows. Theatre and drama in general also has avery positive effect on children’s confidence and personal character.

“Through discussion and activities such as role-play, they reflect on inclusion, belonging and tolerance. They consider how it feels to be excluded from a group. They identify examples of bullying in a range of contexts. They explore the impact of bullying on people’s sense of self-worth and are assisted to identify, discuss and use different strategies to reduce, avoid and resolve bullying.”

William button

MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE are also involved in a hands on way during my workshops. I discuss three dimensional shapes as the students endeavour to cut out a spherical head for their puppet from a cube shaped piece of foam. Even watching the clock to wait three minutes for glue to dry can be a valuable learning experience.