Performing Art
Performing Arts Overview
Prep
Transdisciplinary Theme:
How We Express Ourselves
Central Idea:
Senses help people express their ideas.
Prep students will explore how sound and listening help us express ideas, actions and feelings. Through playful music‑making, sound hunts, echo patterns and simple instrument exploration, students will use their sense of hearing to investigate how sounds can represent objects, movements and emotions. They will learn to listen carefully, follow cues, and work alongside others as they build confidence using sound to communicate. Performing Arts becomes a safe and joyful space where students discover that what we hear can help us share ideas with others.
What We Are Learning Next
- Explore everyday and instrument sounds using our sense of hearing
- Make sounds using different actions (shake, strike, scrape)
- Use loud/soft and fast/slow sounds to show ideas and actions
- Follow simple cues to start and stop together
- Work cooperatively during shared music‑making experiences
Performing Arts Overview
Year 1
Transdisciplinary Theme:
Where We Are in Place and Time
Central Idea: Journeys have evolved over time.
Year 1 students will use music to explore how sound can represent a journey. Through rhythmic patterns, changes in tempo and dynamic contrasts, students will create and perform sound stories that show movement, change and sequence. They will experiment with how sounds can travel, start, stop and change, just like a journey. Performing Arts supports students to think creatively, make decisions about sound, and reflect on how their musical choices help tell a story over time.
What We Are Learning Next
- Use sound to represent movement and travel
- Explore fast and slow sounds to show change over time
- Sequence sounds to create a beginning, middle and end
- Follow cues and timing as part of a group performance
- Reflect on how sound choices help tell a journey
Performing Arts Overview
Year 2
Transdisciplinary Theme:
Who We Are
Central Idea:
A balanced lifestyle is influenced by the choices people make.
Year 2 students will explore how making responsible choices supports positive group music‑making. Through rehearsing and performing sound stories, students will focus on listening, cooperation and self‑management. They will make thoughtful decisions about volume, timing and participation to support the wellbeing of the group. Performing Arts provides opportunities for students to express emotions through sound while developing balance, respect and collaboration in a shared creative space.
What We Are Learning Next
- Make sound choices that support group performance
- Control volume and timing to show responsibility
- Use music to express feelings and ideas
- Collaborate respectfully during rehearsals and performances
Reflect on how our choices affect others in the group
Performing Arts Overview
Year 4
Transdisciplinary Theme:
How We Organise Ourselves
Central Idea: Environments, geography, cultures and histories shape communities.
In Term 2, Year 4 students will begin learning the ukulele as a tool for understanding how music functions within communities. Students will explore how shared music‑making requires organisation, cooperation and responsible use of resources. Through learning basic ukulele techniques, chords and strumming patterns, students will work together as an ensemble, developing listening skills and a sense of connection. Performing Arts supports students to understand their role within a group and how music helps communities' express identity, culture and ideas.
What We Are Learning Next
- Learn how the ukulele works and how to care for shared instruments
- Play basic chords and simple strumming patterns
- Perform music together, following structure, rhythm and cues
- Explore how music connects people within communities
- Develop collaboration, responsibility and ensemble awareness
Performing Arts Overview
Year 5
Transdisciplinary Theme:
How the World Works
Central Idea: Changes to the Earth’s surface and natural environment can impact communities.
Year 5 students will use the ukulele to explore how music can reflect and respond to change. Through learning chord progressions, rhythm patterns and song structures, students will experiment with how musical elements create mood and meaning. They will work creatively and thoughtfully, considering how sound can represent natural events, environments and human experiences. Performing Arts encourages students to think deeply about cause and effect, and how music can communicate ideas about the world around us.
What We Are Learning Next
- Strengthen ukulele technique and chord transitions
- Explore how rhythm, tempo and dynamics affect musical meaning
- Perform songs that reflect mood, environment or change
- Apply critical and creative thinking to musical choices
- Rehearse and perform respectfully as part of a group
Performing Arts Overview
Year 6
Transdisciplinary Theme:
Where We Are in Place and Time
Central Idea: Present day cultures are influenced by cultures from the past.
In Term 2, Year 6 students will deepen their ukulele skills while exploring how music reflects cultural influence and historical change. Students will learn more complex chord progressions and performance techniques, analysing how music from the past shapes contemporary styles. Through ensemble performance, reflection and discussion, students will consider perspective, audience and purpose. Performing Arts becomes a space for students to express identity, reflect on cultural influence, and develop confidence as musicians and performers.
What We Are Learning Next
- Perform confidently using the ukulele with accuracy and expression
- Explore music from different times and cultural contexts
- Analyse how musical styles influence modern music
- Rehearse and present music for an audience
- Reflect on how music communicates cultural identity and meaning