S1 Course
All of our S1 units are situated within the Third Level. This will allow all pupils to feel challenged when in drama, whilst still providing an introduction to the subject and support for those who need it. The S1 course relies on games, improvisations and short performances for the pupils to build their skills. There is a heavy emphasis on transferable skills and in S1 these are teamwork, communication, interpretation and analysing skills. Holistically in drama, we aim that all pupils will be able to:
- Respond to stimuli
- Come up with original ideas, and build upon ideas from others
- Perform to the best of their ability
August – October: Mime Unit
An introduction to drama. They will be introduced to the concept of performing in the means of facial expressions, SPECS, and body language, which they will be assessed upon at the end of the unit as well as sustaining their role.
October – January: CSI Unit
Pupils will be expanding on their knowledge of mime and movement by introducing voice in this unit. They will be introduced to a variety of vocal concepts and how they can be used to enhance a performance. They will be assessed on the vocal concepts they learn and also sustaining a role.
February – April: Script Unit
Pupils will be expected to put their knowledge of voice and movement from their previous units together in this unit. Pupils will be working from a script, looking at themes and issues, as well as an introduction to Theatre Arts – lighting, sound, costume, set design, props, and hair and makeup.
May – June: Macbeth Unit
Pupils will be expected to use their knowledge of voice, movement and script from their previous units together in this unit. Pupils will be working from a script, decoding Shakespearian language and the themes and issues in the play. They will also be learning further about characterisation techniques with practical activities to support this learning.
S2 Course
At EHS, the S2 Drama course builds on the basic skills of Drama learnt in S1, and continues their learning through the Third Level. Our aim is, by the end of S2, pupils will have the skills necessary to take them into perhaps choosing Drama as an elective in S3, when they will begin working within the Fourth Level.
August – September: Improvisation Unit
Pupils will learn the basics of improvisation through improve games such as ‘Park Bench’. This will then move onto situation prompts which pupils will do in pairs to further their skills. These situation prompts will form the basis of a fully improvised performance.
September – December: Twisted Fairytales Unit
Pupils will learn about the history of fairytales, the stereotypes they use and how they situate in the world of drama. They will then explore form, genre and structure and how these can affect a drama before taking a classic fairytale and adding their own twist.
January – February: Soap Opera Unit
Pupils will further learn about genre and form through soap opera, learning about the history of a soap opera and the form of Melodrama. Pupils will also learn about the basics of filming a drama, with a filmed version of their soap opera episode forming their end of unit assessment.
February – April: Darkwood Manor Unit
Pupils will build on their characterisation techniques in this unit. They will also begin to look at tension and mood and atmosphere. They will also discuss how we can use theatre arts (lighting, sound, props, hair/makeup, costume, set design) to have an impact on the audience.
April – June: Life Skills Unit
Pupils will complete a CV and learn basic interview skills in this unit. This is to learn how drama can help build skills, like communication, that will be useful in many walks of life. They will also do both good and bad interviews, and discuss the difference between the two.
S3 Course
The S3 course is building upon the skills they have learnt in S1 and S2. The S3 course it situated within the Fourth Level, and is structured to be able to give challenge and support as necessary. This course is designed to have personalisation and choice for each pupil whilst also making sure they have all the skills necessary for success at National level if desired.
In S3, all pupils should be able to:
- Respond to a range of stimuli with original and well thought out ideas
- Are able to go in depth with ideas and characters in both the acting drama and in characterisation techniques
- Are able to answer National 4 ‘exam style’ questions with the theory learnt in class.
August – October: Friendship Unit
This is an introductory course to S3 drama. Pupils are asked to respond to stimuli based on friendship and perform a range of improvisations surrounding friendship using the skills brought with them from S1 and S2. Pupils will also be introduced to the concept on conventions.
October – February: Drama Skills
Pupils are introduced to more in-depth aspects of drama skills, including voice, movement, characterisation, form, genre, structure, tension and the social and cultural influences on drama. Pupils will be asked to respond to stimuli in each topic to create dramas using the skills taught.
February – May: Production Skills
Pupils are introduced to more in-depth aspects of production skills – or theatre arts – including lighting, sound, set design, costume, hair and makeup and props. They will then perform a scripted drama using the theatre arts to enhance their performance and create mood and atmosphere.