From Idea to Bill: Policy Development
Students will explore how policy ideas are generated and developed into proposed legislation before entering parliament.
Key Questions
- Explain the initial stages of policy development before a bill is introduced.
- Analyze the various sources of policy ideas for government.
- Design a process for a community issue to become a government policy proposal.
ACARA Content Descriptions
About This Topic
In Year 7 Drama, the body and voice are the primary instruments of expression. This topic focuses on developing vocal clarity, projection, and physical presence to build believable characters. Students explore how subtle changes in posture, gait, or vocal pitch can communicate a character's age, status, and emotional state. This aligns with ACARA standards regarding the use of performance skills to create dramatic action.
By stripping away elaborate costumes and sets, students learn that the most powerful dramatic tools are their own physical and vocal choices. This is particularly important for building confidence and self-awareness in early secondary school. This topic comes alive when students can physically model different character types and receive immediate, constructive feedback from their peers through movement-based games and vocal exercises.
Active Learning Ideas
Stations Rotation: The Character Lab
Set up stations focusing on different 'body parts' (e.g., leading with the nose, the chest, or the knees). Students spend 10 minutes at each station, improvising a walk and a greeting based on that physical focus, then discuss how it changed their character's 'vibe.'
Simulation Game: The Status Party
Each student is given a playing card (Ace low, King high) representing their social status. Without showing the card, they must interact at a 'party' using only body language and vocal tone to show their rank relative to others.
Think-Pair-Share: Vocal Subtext
Pairs are given a simple line like 'The bus is late.' They must take turns saying it to convey different hidden meanings (e.g., 'I'm terrified,' 'I'm bored,' 'I'm secretly happy') while the partner guesses the emotion.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionActing is just about remembering lines.
What to Teach Instead
Lines are only a small part of a performance. Active exercises showing how the same line can be said with ten different meanings help students understand that 'how' you say it is more important than 'what' you say.
Common MisconceptionTo be heard, you have to shout.
What to Teach Instead
Shouting can damage the voice and lacks nuance. Teaching projection through breath support and 'aiming' the voice at the back wall helps students understand the difference between volume and clarity.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
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More in The Path to Legislation
How a Bill Becomes a Law: Parliamentary Stages
Students will follow the stages of debate and voting in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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The Role of the Opposition
Students will understand the critical function of the Opposition in scrutinizing government actions and policies.
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The Role of the Public in Law-Making
Students will investigate how citizens can participate in and influence the legislative process beyond voting.
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Influence of Lobby Groups and Special Interests
Students will evaluate how interest groups and lobbyists shape the development of national policy.
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Electoral Systems: Preferential Voting
Students will investigate how preferential voting determines who speaks for the people in the House of Representatives.
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