The Arts/ Craft

Stage 2 (Years 3–4): Students explore dramatic storytelling by designing and performing with shadow puppets, using movement, voice, and staging to express meaning in imagined situations (DRA2.1, DRA2.2). They investigate how light and materials interact to create visual effects, linking science with creative arts (ST2-9PW, VAS2.2). Through group collaboration, they build communication and sequencing skills while responding to cultural stories and performance traditions (EN2-1A, DRA2.3, HT2-4). Stage 3 (Years 5–6): Students deepen their understanding of performance and visual design by creating and manipulating shadow puppets to convey character, mood, and narrative (DRA3.1, VAS3.2). They apply scientific concepts of light and shadow to enhance their artistic choices (ST3-9PW), and work collaboratively to script, rehearse, and present performances (EN3-1A, DRA3.2). Students also explore cultural storytelling traditions, including Aboriginal and Asian perspectives, fostering respect and intercultural awareness (HT3-4, ST3-10TS). Stage 4 (Years 7–8): Students explore storytelling through visual and performance media by designing, constructing, and manipulating shadow puppets (VA4.1, DR4.1). They investigate how light interacts with different materials to produce visual effects (SC4-10PW) and collaborate on scripting and performing stories, developing communication and teamwork skills (EN4-1A, DR4.2). Students consider cultural traditions such as Aboriginal and Asian storytelling to build respect for diverse heritage (HT4-4, ST4-10TS). Stage 5 (Years 9–10): Students refine their artistic and dramatic techniques through shadow puppetry, applying design and performance principles to convey mood, character, and narrative (VA5.1, DR5.1, DR5.2). Scientific knowledge is used to enhance their lighting and staging choices (SC5-11PW), while group performances support skills in creative collaboration and evaluation (EN5-1A, EN5-2A). They explore puppetry’s cultural significance across societies, deepening intercultural understanding (HT5-3, ST5-10TS). Stage 6 (Years 11–12): Students critically engage with puppetry as a form of expressive and cultural storytelling, combining art, drama, and science to create sophisticated works (CA6-VA1, CA6-DR1). They apply advanced knowledge of light, materials, and audience dynamics to experiment with visual impact (PH11/12-12, CA6-DR2). Through devising original works and examining diverse traditions such as Aboriginal and global puppetry, they explore identity, culture, and communication in depth (EN11-1, HT6-3, ST6-10TS).