Skip to content
Browse by Grade: Year 5

Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions

Year 5 The Arts

This course explores the diverse roles of artists across visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Students develop technical skills while investigating how cultural contexts and personal choices influence the creation and interpretation of artistic works.

8 units·45 topics·Ages 10-11

01Visual Narratives and Studio Practice

6 topics·Term 1

Students explore drawing, painting, and mixed media to communicate complex ideas and stories through visual symbols.

The Power of Line and Texture

Investigating how different line weights and surface textures can evoke specific emotional responses in the viewer.

Gallery WalkPeer Teaching
Color Theory and Atmospheric Perspective

Using color relationships and value scales to create the illusion of depth and three-dimensional space.

Inquiry CircleGallery WalkStations Rotation
Exploring Symbols in Everyday Life

Identifying and creating simple symbols to represent ideas, feelings, or objects in their own artworks and in their community.

Carousel BrainstormThink-Pair-ShareProject-Based Learning
Drawing Techniques: Sketching and Shading

Students practice fundamental drawing techniques including contour drawing, gesture drawing, and various shading methods to create form.

Stations RotationPeer TeachingExperiential Learning
Introduction to Mixed Media Collage

Exploring how to combine different materials like paper, fabric, and found objects to create new visual narratives.

Project-Based LearningGallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Understanding Composition and Balance

Students learn principles of composition, including rule of thirds, symmetry, and asymmetry, to create visually engaging artworks.

Inquiry CircleGallery WalkConcept Mapping

02Rhythm, Melody, and Soundscapes

6 topics·Term 1

An exploration of musical elements and composition techniques used to create mood and structure in sound.

Complex Rhythms and Syncopation

Developing an understanding of off-beat rhythms and how they contribute to the energy of a musical piece.

Role PlayPeer Teaching
Melodic Contours and Emotional Expression

Examining how the shape of a melody influences the listener's emotional state.

Case Study AnalysisGallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Visualising Sound: Drawing Music

Experimenting with drawing lines, shapes, and colours to represent different sounds, rhythms, and musical dynamics.

Experiential LearningProject-Based LearningGallery Walk
Exploring Timbre and Instrumentation

Investigating how different instruments and vocal qualities create unique timbres and contribute to the overall sound of a piece.

Stations RotationExperiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
Dynamics and Expressive Markings

Understanding how changes in volume (dynamics) and other expressive markings influence the emotional impact and interpretation of music.

Role PlayCase Study AnalysisCollaborative Problem-Solving
Composing Simple Melodies

Students learn basic principles of melody writing, including scales, intervals, and phrasing, to create their own short musical ideas.

Project-Based LearningPeer TeachingInquiry Circle

03The Language of Movement

6 topics·Term 2

Students use the body as an instrument to communicate themes and narratives through choreography and dance.

Weight and Energy in Motion

Exploring the physical dynamics of dance and how the use of force communicates intent.

Experiential LearningRole PlayGallery Walk
Choreographic Structures

Learning how to organize movements into meaningful sequences using repetition and contrast.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingStations Rotation
Storytelling Through Gesture

Using literal and abstract gestures to convey complex narrative points without speech.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Space, Pathways, and Formations

Exploring how dancers use the performance space, create pathways, and arrange themselves in formations to enhance meaning.

Experiential LearningGallery WalkCollaborative Problem-Solving
Dynamics of Movement: Flow and Control

Investigating how the qualities of movement, such as sustained, sudden, bound, or free flow, contribute to expressive dance.

Role PlayPeer TeachingStations Rotation
Responding to Music Through Dance

Students explore how to interpret and respond to different musical styles and rhythms through improvised and choreographed movement.

Experiential LearningThink-Pair-ShareInquiry Circle

04Dramatic Worlds and Characterization

6 topics·Term 2

Students develop performance skills by building characters and exploring dramatic tension in scripted and improvised settings.

Building a Character from Within

Using voice, movement, and motivation to create believable and distinct stage personas.

Hot SeatRole Play
The Mechanics of Dramatic Tension

Exploring how conflict, suspense, and surprise are used to keep an audience engaged.

Simulation GameCollaborative Problem-Solving
Improvisation and Spontaneity

Developing the ability to respond authentically to unexpected stimuli within a dramatic context.

Round RobinExperiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
Voice and Movement for the Stage

Students practice vocal projection, articulation, and expressive movement to communicate character and emotion effectively.

Role PlayHot SeatExperiential Learning
Creating Dramatic Settings and Mood

Exploring how set design, props, costumes, lighting, and sound contribute to establishing the world and atmosphere of a play.

Simulation GameProject-Based LearningConcept Mapping
Bringing Simple Scripts to Life

Practicing reading and performing short, simple scripts, focusing on expressing character and understanding basic plot.

Role PlayThink-Pair-ShareHot Seat

05Art History and Global Traditions

6 topics·Term 3

A survey of how art has evolved across different eras and cultures, focusing on the social role of the artist.

Indigenous Australian Art Styles

Investigating the techniques, stories, and cultural significance of First Nations artistic expressions.

Gallery WalkRole PlayCase Study Analysis
Art from Ancient Times: Greece and Rome

Exploring the art and architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on their stories, myths, and everyday life.

Museum ExhibitGallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Art That Tells a Story or Shares a Message

Discussing how artists use their work to tell stories, share feelings, or communicate important messages about their world.

Think-Pair-ShareGallery WalkProject-Based Learning
Ancient Egyptian Art and Symbolism

Exploring the distinctive art forms of Ancient Egypt, focusing on their religious significance and symbolic language.

Museum ExhibitDocument MysteryThink-Pair-Share
Exploring Art from Different Times and Places

Discovering a variety of art styles from different historical periods and cultures, appreciating their unique characteristics.

Gallery WalkWorld CaféMuseum Exhibit
Art of the Pacific Islands

Exploring the diverse artistic traditions of Oceania, including carving, weaving, and tattooing, and their cultural roles.

Museum ExhibitWorld CaféExpert Panel

06Critique and Curation

6 topics·Term 3

Students learn to evaluate artistic works and organize exhibitions, focusing on the relationship between art and the audience.

The Art of the Critique

Developing a vocabulary for describing, analyzing, and judging artworks in a constructive manner.

Fishbowl DiscussionChalk TalkThink-Pair-Share
Displaying Our Art: Creating an Exhibition

Planning and arranging their own artworks for a classroom exhibition, considering how to best present their creations.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-SolvingGallery Walk
Digital Portfolios and Reflection

Documenting the creative process and reflecting on personal growth over the course of the year.

Project-Based LearningPeer TeachingGallery Walk
Understanding Artistic Intent

Students learn to consider the artist's purpose, context, and choices when interpreting an artwork.

Socratic SeminarCase Study AnalysisThink-Pair-Share
The Role of the Audience

Exploring how audience perception, cultural background, and personal experiences shape the interpretation of art.

Philosophical ChairsHuman BarometerWorld Café
Respecting Others' Art and Ideas

Discussing the importance of respecting other artists' work and ideas, and giving credit when inspired by others.

Think-Pair-ShareCase Study AnalysisChalk Talk

07Media Arts: Digital Storytelling

5 topics·Term 4

Students explore how digital tools are used to create narratives through images, sound, and moving pictures.

Introduction to Digital Photography

Learning basic photographic principles, composition, and how to use digital cameras or devices to capture images.

Experiential LearningGallery WalkPeer Teaching
Sound Design for Visuals

Exploring how sound effects, music, and voiceovers are used to enhance visual narratives in film and animation.

Simulation GameProject-Based LearningCase Study Analysis
Basic Animation Techniques

An introduction to stop-motion or digital animation, understanding principles of movement and storytelling through sequential images.

Project-Based LearningExperiential LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Creating a Digital Storyboard

Students learn to plan visual narratives using storyboards, outlining shots, scenes, and key actions before production.

Project-Based LearningThink-Pair-ShareDecision Matrix
Editing Basics for Video

Students learn fundamental video editing concepts, including cutting, transitions, and sequencing clips to create a coherent narrative.

Flipped ClassroomExperiential LearningProject-Based Learning

08Performance and Production

4 topics·Term 4

Students apply their skills in a collaborative production, integrating elements from different art forms.

Collaborative Performance Design

Working in groups to combine elements of drama, dance, and music to create a short performance piece.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-SolvingRole Play
Technical Production Roles

Exploring the various backstage roles in a production, such as lighting, sound, costume, and set design, and their importance.

Simulation GameExpert PanelJigsaw
Rehearsal Techniques and Refinement

Students learn effective rehearsal strategies, including blocking, pacing, and receiving feedback, to refine their performances.

Experiential LearningPeer TeachingHot Seat
Showcasing and Audience Engagement

Preparing for and presenting a final performance, focusing on engaging the audience and reflecting on the experience.

Project-Based LearningGallery WalkSocratic Seminar