Learning Drama Teaching Drama is organised around three straightforward ideas:   

What to teach – what the curriculum says is important learning   

How to teach – strategies to teach the content

Why teach – reasons why this is important learning. 

In 2022 ACARA, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, published a revised Arts Curriculum. 

The first section focuses on the key concepts in current Australian Arts curriculum – in particular the Australian Curriculum: The Arts (ACARA, 2022) and the Western Australian Arts Curriculum (SCSA). 

Concepts are explained in bitesize chunks – enough to get you started on understanding what the curriculum expects. For example, Learning Drama Teaching Drama looks at the curriculum organisers, the Elements of Drama, the role of Drama in our lives. Drama forms in the curriculum are explained.

The strategies section outlines important tools for bringing the required curriculum content to action in classrooms. For example, distinctive pedagogies of Drama are outlined; planning and age and developmentally sound approaches explored; shaping Drama lessons; approaches to teaching skills and concepts; and assessing drama.

Snapshots of classroom practice are included throughout to help teachers see the concepts and strategies in action in classrooms. The book will be supported by further more detailed examples provided on the StagePage website www.stagepage.com.au.