Creative Performance Skills

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Overview

This Term-Long Scheme of Work (12 lessons, 360 minutes total) is designed for Year 7 Drama students, focused on foundational acting, improvisation, script work, and performance skills. It fully aligns with the National Curriculum for England (Key Stage 3) requirements, specifically aiming to develop students’ ability to create, perform, and critically evaluate drama.

This plan incorporates practical, experiential learning with structured reflection, fostering confidence, collaboration, and creativity within drama. It is differentiated for a class of 30 students and balances individual, paired, and group work.

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Curriculum Links

• National Curriculum: Drama (Years 7-9)
  • Pupils should be taught to:
    • Use voice, movement, and language to create and sustain roleplay, improvisation, and scripted performance.
    • Develop understanding of how drama can communicate ideas and intentions.
    • Work creatively and imaginatively both individually and collaboratively.
    • Reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others.
• Key Stage 3 Programmes of Study
  • Performing: Experiment with and take on roles in devised and scripted drama.
  • Creating: Devise and script drama individually and collaboratively.
  • Evaluating: Analyse and evaluate drama and performance.

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Term Structure Summary (12 Lessons / 360 minutes)

Lesson No.	Topic	Duration (mins)	Learning Objectives	Key Activities	Assessment Method
1	Introduction to Drama Skills	30	Identify elements of drama and basic techniques.	Ice-breakers, vocal & physical warm-ups, theatre games	Informal observation, self-assessment
2	Developing Character	30	Create and sustain simple characters using body and voice.	Character creation exercises, mirror work	Peer feedback on characterisation
3	Exploring Improvisation	30	Use improvisation to develop spontaneous response and teamwork.	Improvisation games, ‘Yes, and...’ exercises	Teacher observation and verbal feedback
4	Space and Movement	30	Understand physical awareness and respond to spatial relationships.	Movement in space tasks, group choreography	Group discussion and teacher notes
5	Voice and Expression	30	Demonstrate use of vocal techniques to communicate different emotions and intentions.	Vocal exercises, script reading	Record and playback for peer and self-assessment
6	Exploring Scripted Drama	30	Read, interpret, and perform short scripted extracts.	Script reading, character annotation	Written reflection on character choices
7	Developing a Scene	30	Collaborate to create a short scene based on a stimulus.	Group devising from a prompt	Teacher assessment of teamwork and creativity
8	Rehearsal Techniques	30	Apply rehearsal strategies to refine performance.	Rehearsals with peer and teacher feedback	Self and peer assessment forms
9	Physical Theatre & Non-Verbal	30	Use physical theatre techniques to tell a story without words.	Mask work, mime, tableau exercises	Peer assessment and video review
10	Performance Skills	30	Combine skills to prepare for performance, including focus, projection, and timing.	Full run-through with feedback	Performance evaluation rubric
11	Final Performance	45	Perform devised or scripted scenes to an audience.	Performance delivery	Summative teacher assessment, peer feedback
12	Reflection & Evaluation	45	Reflect on personal and peer performances, identify strengths and areas for improvement.	Group discussions, individual written evaluation	Written self-evaluation and peer review

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Detailed Sequence of Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Drama Skills (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Understand basic drama terminology (role, character, improvisation, freeze frames).
• Participate confidently in drama warm-ups.

Activities:

• Ice-breaker name and movement game to build group cohesion.
• Vocal warm-up exercises focusing on projection and articulation.
• Physical warm-ups emphasising spatial awareness.
• Teacher explains key drama terms with interactive examples.

Assessment:

• Observation of participation and confidence in tasks.
• Self-assessment: "What I learnt about drama today."

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Lesson 2: Developing Character (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Create believable characters through posture, gesture, and vocal pitch.
• Sustain a character for short dramatic tasks.

Activities:

• Mirror exercises in pairs focusing on physicality.
• Create a character worksheet (name, age, job, personality traits).
• Students present their character to pairs in a simple monologue.

Assessment:

• Peer feedback focussing on physical and vocal choices.

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Lesson 3: Exploring Improvisation (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Use improvisation techniques to react and adapt in role.
• Develop teamwork through collaborative storytelling.

Activities:

• ‘Yes, and…’ circle game to build dialogue collaboratively.
• Improvised scenarios based on everyday situations.
• Freeze-frame improvisation focusing on emotional reactions.

Assessment:

• Teacher notes on spontaneity and engagement.

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Lesson 4: Space and Movement (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate understanding of stage space and proxemics.
• Use movement to express relationships and status.

Activities:

• Explore levels (high, medium, low) and proxemics (distance between performers).
• Group choreography based on a word or theme prompt.
• Mark and maintain 'invisible boundaries' exercises.

Assessment:

• Observation of spatial awareness.

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Lesson 5: Voice and Expression (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Use pitch, pace, tone, and volume to portray different emotions.
• Maintain vocal health and clarity.

Activities:

• Vocal warm-ups including tongue twisters and pitch slides.
• Read scripted sentences applying different emotional tones.
• Record and playback for self-analysis.

Assessment:

• Peer and teacher feedback on vocal skills.

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Lesson 6: Exploring Scripted Drama (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Understand script notation and stage directions.
• Interpret character intentions within a script.

Activities:

• Teacher models script annotation.
• In small groups, read and annotate a short scripted extract (e.g., from a contemporary play suitable for Year 7).
• Discuss motivations and relationships between characters.

Assessment:

• Written annotation submission and group discussion.

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Lesson 7: Developing a Scene (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Collaborate to devise a short piece based on a stimulus.
• Apply narrative structure basics (beginning, middle, end).

Activities:

• Receive a stimulus (image, music, or text).
• Brainstorm ideas in groups, assign roles (director, actors, stage manager).
• Begin rehearsing devised scenes.

Assessment:

• Teacher checklist on contribution and creativity.

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Lesson 8: Rehearsal Techniques (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Use rehearsal strategies (blocking, line learning, constructive feedback).
• Reflect on improvements from rehearsal feedback.

Activities:

• Rehearse scenes with checkpoints for peer and teacher feedback.
• Introduce techniques for managing nerves and concentration.

Assessment:

• Peer and self-assessment forms filled after rehearsal.

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Lesson 9: Physical Theatre & Non-Verbal Communication (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Convey story and emotion through movement without dialogue.
• Use mask and mime techniques.

Activities:

• Warm-up for physical control and balance.
• Explore mask work to exaggerate physicality.
• Create a short physical story using mime.

Assessment:

• Group reflection and teacher notes on clarity of non-verbal storytelling.

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Lesson 10: Performance Skills (30 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate control of stage presence, focus, and timing.
• Integrate vocal and physical skills for performance.

Activities:

• Full run-through of scenes with teacher coaching.
• Practice entrance/exit etiquette and stage positioning.

Assessment:

• Detailed teacher feedback using a performance rubric.

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Lesson 11: Final Performance (45 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Perform a devised or scripted scene delivering clear intentions to an audience.
• Demonstrate confidence and teamwork.

Activities:

• Perform scenes to peers and possibly invited staff/audience.
• Record performance for later review (optional).

Assessment:

• Summative assessment based on performance rubric and peer feedback.

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Lesson 12: Reflection & Evaluation (45 mins)

Learning Objectives:

• Reflect critically on individual and group performances.
• Identify personal achievements and targets for future learning.

Activities:

• Written self-evaluation guided by reflection questions.
• Group discussion on challenges and successes.
• Teacher provides personalised target-setting.

Assessment:

• Completed written reflections and evidence of thoughtful evaluation.

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Resources Suggested

• Script extracts (age-appropriate, varied genres)
• Props and costume items for character work
• Audio-visual equipment for recording and playback
• Whiteboard or flip chart for notes and brainstorming
• Space for flexible staging arrangements

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Final Notes

• Differentiation: Tasks are designed with open-ended responses to accommodate varying confidence/ability levels.
• Social & Emotional Skills: Emphasis on collaboration, respect, and confidence-building.
• Cross-Curricular Links: Links to English (language skills), PSHE (teamwork, self-awareness).
• Assessment: Continuous informal assessment complemented by formal recorded reflections, peer feedback, and teacher summative judgements in line with National Curriculum expectations.

This framework equips students not only with vital dramatic skills but also nurtures creativity, communication, and critical thinking — essential for their broader educational journey.