Performing Arts
Semester Two Performing Arts Highlights
This semester in Performing Arts has been a whirlwind of music, drama, dance and media! Students from foundation to grade six have been exploring rhythms, instruments, movement, and creative expression. It’s been fantastic to see their confidence and creativity shine as they worked on so many fun projects.
Foundation: Singing, Playing, and Composing
Foundation students had a great time exploring music this semester. They learned songs like “A Sailor Went to Sea” and “Aiken Drum”, using tambourines, triangles, chime bars and boomwhackers to bring their music to life. Through stories like “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” and “Pete the Cat”, they learned about rhythms and how to read ta, ti-ti, and rests. A favorite activity was the “Feed the Monster” game, where they had to perform rhythms to “feed” the monster. They also worked on listening to different songs and even composed their own class songs!
Grades One and Two: Dance, Drama, and Music
In term three, grades one and two dived into a combined dance and drama unit. They practiced warming up, creating shapes with their bodies, and working together to make a moving mural. They also learned about reading rhythms like ta, ti-ti, and rests and composed their own rhythms. They made stick puppets and created plays to perform to their delighted classmates!
In term four, the focus shifted to music:
- Grade one sang “Apples and Bananas” while exploring instruments like maracas, drums, and chime bars. They listened to “Peter and the Wolf”, discovering how instruments can be used to tell stories. They also used group chants and instruments to explore various musical elements.
- Grade two enjoyed learning the “Peg Leg Pirate Band” rap with shakers and listened to music by The Beatles and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. They also worked on group chants to explore musical elements and lead the rest of the class.
Grades Three and Four: Drama and Music
In term three, grades three and four focused on drama with a unit inspired by “Too Many Cheeky Dogs”, a book by Aboriginal illustrator Dion Beasley. They practiced drama techniques such as creating energy circles, miming, tableaus, and object transformations. Using performance carousels they explored settings, brought stories to life and had a lot of giggles exploring drama.
In term four, they shifted to music:
- Grade three learned the “Tideo” song, which involved partner clapping and using untuned and tuned percussion like xylophones and glockenspiels. They also spent time listening to and responding to music.
- Grade four worked on the “Bim Bom” song, tackling tricky body percussion and using both tuned and untuned percussion. They focused on dynamics, experimenting with how changes in volume and intensity can add emotion to music.
Grades Five and Six: Puppets, Ukuleles, and Composing
In Term three, grades five and six embraced their creative side with the “Designosaurs” project. They researched, designed, and made puppets, then brought them to life using puppeting techniques. They also watched scenes from musicals and discussed how music and drama elements were used.
In term four, they focused on music:
- They learned to play the ukulele, practicing open strings and simple chords like Am7 and C7. They also prepared a body percussion performance of “Believer”, focusing on timing and rhythm.
- Grade five used Soundtrap to create original songs that conveyed different emotions.
- Grade six worked on creating soundtracks on Soundtrap to match videos.
Thanks for an amazing year!
Yesterday we ended our year by putting on a small showcase for the school community, with songs performed by each year level. Everyone did such a wonderful job in the heat and I was so impressed with each and every student who got up and performed their hearts out!
From the youngest learners exploring rhythm to the older students composing songs and performing, everyone had the chance to shine this year. It’s been amazing to see their creativity, teamwork, and love of performing arts grow.
Ms Ingles