Drama 7–10 (2023)
Resources to support teaching of the Drama 7–10 Syllabus (2023) including units and scope and sequences.
Go to Planning, programming and assessing Drama 7–10 (2003) for resources related to the 2003 syllabus.
Syllabus
The Drama 7–10 Syllabus (2023) is to be implemented from 2026.
- 2024 and 2025 – Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
- 2026 – Start teaching new syllabus
About our resources
These resources:
- can be used by drama classroom teachers and, or school leaders to support teachers with effective syllabus implementation
- have been developed to assist teachers to create learning that is contextualised to their classroom
- can be used as a basis for the teacher’s own programs, assessment, or scope and sequences
- may be adjusted by teachers to meet the strengths and needs of their students.
Scope and sequences
Sample scope and sequences provide an example of how to structure teaching and learning programs for drama in stages 4 and 5. Knowledge, understanding and skills are built through engagement with the 3 focus areas of making, performing, and appreciating.
All NSW public schools need to plan curriculum and develop teaching programs consistent with the Education Act 1990 (NSW) and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabuses and credentialing requirements.
Scope and sequences form part of the ongoing documentation or evidence schools maintain to comply with the department’s policy, policy standards and registration requirements.
Developing a robust scope and sequence has many benefits and may help teachers and schools to:
- promote high expectations for student learning
- identify opportunities for explicit teaching
- create opportunities for students to receive feedback on their learning
- systematically plan for and undertake assessment
- collect and use data to monitor achievements and identify gaps in learning
- differentiate curriculum delivery to meet the needs of students at different levels of achievement
- collaborate with other teachers to plan for quality teaching and learning.
Units and teaching resources
In the sample unit, ‘From me to we – exploring collaboration through devising’, students explore the dramatic elements through collaborative and devising processes, as they use Greek chorus to create a short group-devised performance.
In the sample unit, ‘Crafting character – performing scripted works’, students develop characterisation and performance skills through exploration of scripted excerpts and practitioner approaches.
In the sample unit, ‘Screen play – group-devising through short film’, students enact the roles of a film crew to collaboratively devise and produce a short film and showcase. The unit is accompanied by a sample assessment task and student-facing slide deck resource.
In the sample unit, ‘Nothing is neutral – designing for theatre’, students explore the elements of drama and production as they develop a design concept for a scripted excerpt.
In the sample unit, ‘Creating innovative theatre – group-devised performance’, students will initially learn about the devising processes of contemporary Australian theatre companies and then allow these innovative approaches to inform their own creative process for devising a performance.
- Sample unit, part 1 of 2 – Creating innovative theatre – Contemporary Australian theatre companies (DOCX 456 KB)
- Sample unit, part 2 of 2 – Creating innovative theatre – Student group devised theatre companies (DOCX 2.4 MB)
- Sample assessment task – Creating innovative theatre (DOCX 1.8 MB)
- Slide deck – Creating innovative theatre (PPTX 8.3 MB)
Four short plays to accompany the upcoming unit, ‘Finding voice – crafting a play’.
Drama video resources
These video resources support teaching elements of performance.
Drama posters and infographics
These can be printed and displayed in classrooms.
Dramatic elements
These resources can be used as a guide for teaching and learning related to the elements of drama.
Dramatic processes
These resources can be used as a guide for teaching and learning related to dramatic processes.
Dramatic contexts
These resources can be used as a guide for teaching and learning related to dramatic contexts.
Documenting drama
These resources can be used as a guide for teaching and learning related to documenting dramatic ideas, processes and performance skills.
Poster – Documenting drama (PDF 567 KB)
Learning map – Working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander content
This resource can be used as a guide for teaching and learning related to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander content.
Contact us
Stay connected with the Creative Arts curriculum team by:
- Subscribing to the Creative Arts curriculum network.
- Joining the Creative Arts statewide staffroom
- Email creativearts7-12@det.nsw.edu.au