Sample work Drama Stage 5: Research collage
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students will construct a collage in their workbook which includes visual and written elements, summarising the research carried out on the theme - bullying. The collage should act as a reference document and stimulus for the development of the group-devised playbuilding. The research collage should:
- present material from a range of sources including internet, school library, community resources and media
- consider the format and layout of the material and possible categories for presenting the information
- show careful choice of written and visual elements indicating how the research might be used in the making and performing of the playbuilding project
- consider the dramatic intention and the impact the group wishes to create for an intended audience.
Context
Students will undertake a unit of playbuilding based on a theme: for example, bullying.
This activity is to assist students to understand the chosen theme and to encourage them to use research as a developmental tool to devise narrative structures, characters and transitions in their playbuilding. During making, students have undertaken research into the theme/topic (bullying) using a number of sources and the teacher will have given oral feedback regarding the quality of the research materials. Students then synthesise and evaluate the data, indicating suitable findings from which to develop and refine narrative structures for their playbuilt performances.
Outcomes
Making
A student:
- 5.1.2 contributes, selects, develops and structures ideas in improvisation and playbuilding
- 5.1.3 devises, interprets and enacts drama using scripted and unscripted material or text
- 5.1.4 explores, structures and refines ideas using dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques, theatrical conventions and technologies.
Performing
A student:
- 5.2.2 selects and uses performance spaces, theatre conventions and production elements appropriate to purpose and audience.
Appreciating
A student:
- 5.3.1 responds to, reflects on and evaluates elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques and theatrical conventions
- 5.3.2 analyses the contemporary and historical contexts of drama
- 5.3.3 analyses and evaluates the contribution of individuals and groups to processes and performances in drama using relevant drama concepts and terminology.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- collect and record data from a variety of sources and present visual and written research using appropriate drama terminology
- demonstrate understanding of the contemporary context of themes, such as bullying, in playbuilding, and ways to synthesise, categorise and communicate the research in a collage
- indicate how the research might be used in the making, performing and appreciating of the playbuilding project, with an awareness of the relationship between performer and audience.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Chris
Chris has made an informed selection of research material with consideration of design elements to clarify dramatic meaning for the intended audience. There is a clear directorial concept that demonstrates an understanding of the individual and collaborative nature of playbuilding, and a strong awareness of the actor/audience relationship.
Chris has demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the elements of drama and has used a variety of dramatic forms and techniques, eg dramatic monologue, chorus, narrator, placards, poems, creative movement and aspects of staging and set design. He/she has offered structured approaches to the making of drama and has shown careful development of ideas with reference to dramatic devices and performance techniques. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Lesley
Lesley has undertaken adequate research using a variety of sources such as internet, pamphlets and newspapers. He/she has provided some discussion of dramatic forms and structures; however, the collage has been presented more as a process of the group than a reference document or stimulus for a performance.
There is a stated dramatic intention that is supported throughout the detailed layout of ideas; however, the format of the materials does not clearly consider the categories for presenting the information as required by the activity. Lesley has demonstrated an understanding of collaborative approaches to making drama and a sound understanding of a range of dramatic techniques that might be used to create an impact for an intended audience such as movement, mime and narration.
Although Lesley has not clearly outlined the meaning of the piece, the collage shows a sound ability to manipulate the elements of drama. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.