Introduction

 

The topic chosen to explore in Music, Dance and Drama is Cultures Across the Seven Continents. This topic allows a wide variety of  different performing art elements to be explored and integrates diversity and culture into the children's curriculum. These experiences are designed for Stage 1, Year 2.  This age group was chosen due to the depth of profound information being introduced into the curriculum, with their ability to attain a higher understanding of knowledge. 

 

To introduce all seven continents into only three areas of performing arts, being Music, Dance and Drama, a division of continents into the three learning areas with a rotation of activities will see maximum curriculum development. The continents are as follows:

• Africa,

• Antarctica,

• South America,

• North America,

• Europe

• Oceania, and

• Asia.

Within each continent, one country is chosen to represent a culture of either dance, drama or music, and through a series of hands on performing arts experiences the children will learn about each countries culture.

Experience one:

The three continents dedicated to the learning area of Music are; Europe with the country of Ireland, North America with the country of Mexico and Oceania with the country of New Zealand.  

Experience two:

The three continents dedicated to the learning area of Dance are; Asia with the country of India, Africa with the country of Malawi  and South America with the country of Argentina.

Experience three:

The remaining continent of Antarctica  will be connected to the performing arts learning area of Drama, and the children will learn about animal cultures as there is no human form of performing arts in Antractica. 

 

Through studying and engaging in the Arts, students will develop specific knowledge, skills and processes, and also create art works. Through learning to appraise and critique art works, artists and artistic practices, they will learn to value the uniqueness of each art form, and to understand that all art forms are interconnected. Students will come to understand the social, historical and cultural contexts of art forms. Students will learn that the Arts are central to creative communities and cultures. The Arts provide evidence of the creative and cultural life of a community (ACARA, n.d).

 

Each of the learning area topics do not consist of concrete lesson plans, rather holistic experiences for the children to explore different cultures across the seven continents. While the intent is for the children to learn, it will be through experiential play, exploration, experimentation, making and responding. Through these experiences the children will not only learn about performing arts in countries other than Australia, but they will also begin to unfold each learning area of Music, Dance and Drama. They will begin to acquire knowledge of musical elements, musical terms, components of dance, and the art of drama. Other curriculum domains are also being utilised throughout these experiences, such as history and geography, IT and English.