Planning, programming and assessing creative arts K–6
In the creative arts K–6, students engage in learning experiences in visual arts, music, drama and dance. Linking within these artforms and connecting to other key learning areas assists in working towards outcomes in one or more artforms.
How to develop effective scope and sequences
- A scope and sequence is a summary of what is to be taught, the sequence in which it will be taught and the syllabus outcomes that may be addressed in the intended learning. Learn how to develop effective scope and sequence which includes sample scope and sequences.
- A range of examples of how schools can create a K-6 creative arts scope and sequence and the elements that could be included.
NSW Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus
The NSW Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus involves the four art forms of dance, drama, music and visual arts. All four art forms have their own learning experiences and outcomes for each stage from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3.
Each artform involves unique practices for students to develop subject-specific knowledge, skills and understanding.
Learning in the arts is underpinned by the belief that all students can develop skills, knowledge and understanding from the content and outcomes of the syllabus. Teaching programs should allow students to build on previous experiences, practise skills and apply knowledge in different contexts.
Chatting creative arts podcast
Listen to our chatting creative arts podcasts and learn about important issues in the arts. We speak with leading educators and industry professionals.
Units of work
Vocal Ease resources, templates for planning units of work, sample lesson ideas, resources and elearning are available for music.
Visual arts contains sample unit starters and resources such as Waste as art.
The sound of art – written in collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO). It explores the relationship between music and visual arts through a variety of artworks and compositions.
Aboriginal perspectives, practices and traditions
Stages 2 and 3
Aboriginal perspectives, practices and traditions in the arts (DOCX 1.4 MB) are rich and plentiful. This resource assists teachers to explore this understanding with their students through rich and engaging content.
Tuning in – arts and wellbeing
‘Tuning In’ is a free online excursion developed through a collaboration between the NSW Department of Education, Musica Viva In Schools, Studio A, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Theatre Company.
Each session is presented by a professional from each of these organisations and is aimed at developing K-6 student skills in creative arts and wellbeing through collaborative projects that can be completed after the event.
The sessions include:
- Yarning Circles – an Acknowledgement of Country and Yarning through creative arts.
- Drama and resilience – building skills in resilience and in drama through an engaging text.
- Music and adaptability – guidance and ideas to adapt materials to create musical instruments and organise sound.
- Visual arts and perseverance – inspiration and guided techniques for building perseverance when creating a school mural.
- Dance to build relationships – using our surroundings to build relationships for dance inspirations.
- Teacher Webinar – industry professionals and arts educators answer questions connected to this program and the creative arts.
Each event includes a downloadable guide of resources for future reference.
Free registration at Tuning in – creative arts and wellbeing.
National Music Teacher Mentoring Program
The National Music Teacher Mentoring Program (NMTMP) is a unique in-school professional learning program open to all K-6 NSW Department of Education schools. Experienced primary music teachers are paired with K-6 classroom teachers to mentor and build teachers’ capacity to teach classroom music.
Professional learning opportunities
Creative arts professional learning opportunities are available on our primary curriculum professional learning webpage.