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Browse by Grade: Year 7

Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions

Year 7 The Arts

Students explore the diverse landscape of visual and performing arts through practical creation and critical analysis. This course emphasizes the development of technical skills across dance, drama, music, and visual arts while fostering an understanding of cultural and historical contexts.

9 units·59 topics·Ages 12-13

01Visual Narratives and Mark Making

10 topics·Term 1

Students investigate the fundamental elements of drawing and composition to communicate personal and social stories.

The Power of Line and Texture

Exploration of how different line weights and surface textures can convey emotion and physical presence in a 2D space.

Gallery WalkPeer Teaching
Composition and Framing

Understanding the rule of thirds and focal points to create balanced and engaging visual layouts.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Symbolism in Still Life

Using everyday objects to represent complex ideas and cultural identities.

Case Study AnalysisCarousel BrainstormMuseum Exhibit
Colour Theory: Hue, Saturation, Value

Exploring the fundamental properties of color and their impact on visual communication and emotion.

Experiential LearningConcept Mapping
Perspective Drawing Techniques

Introduction to one-point and two-point perspective to create the illusion of depth and space.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Shading and Form: Light and Shadow

Developing skills in rendering three-dimensional form using chiaroscuro and tonal values.

Flipped ClassroomCollaborative Problem-Solving
Introduction to Digital Art Tools

Exploring basic digital drawing software and tools to create and manipulate images.

Project-Based LearningExperiential Learning
Visual Storytelling through Comics

Analyzing how sequential art uses panels, speech bubbles, and character design to tell a story.

Case Study AnalysisRAFT Writing
Exploring Abstract Art Principles

Understanding how artists use non-representational forms, colors, and lines to express ideas and emotions.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk
Mixed Media Collage Techniques

Experimenting with combining various materials like paper, fabric, and found objects to create textured artworks.

Project-Based LearningStations Rotation

02Dramatic Worlds and Characterization

9 topics·Term 1

Students develop performance skills through improvisation and script analysis to build believable characters and settings.

Voice and Body as Tools

Focusing on vocal projection, diction, and physical expression to convey character traits without words.

Role PlayPeer TeachingHot Seat
Improvisation and Spontaneity

Learning the 'Yes And' rule to build collaborative scenes and respond to unexpected stimuli.

Simulation GameFishbowl Discussion
Script Analysis and Subtext

Investigating the difference between what a character says and what they actually mean.

Fishbowl DiscussionRole PlayThink-Pair-Share
Developing Believable Characters

Exploring techniques for creating multi-dimensional characters, including backstory and motivation.

Role PlayHot Seat
Stagecraft: Set and Props

Understanding how set design and props contribute to the atmosphere and narrative of a play.

Simulation GameProject-Based Learning
Introduction to Mime and Physical Theatre

Exploring non-verbal storytelling through gesture, facial expression, and body movement.

Experiential LearningRole Play
Creating Dramatic Tension

Investigating techniques like conflict, suspense, and pacing to build tension in a scene.

Role PlayCase Study Analysis
Costume and Makeup Design

Understanding how costume and makeup choices define character, period, and mood.

Project-Based LearningGallery Walk
Introduction to Playwriting

Exploring basic scriptwriting elements: dialogue, stage directions, and scene structure.

RAFT WritingPeer Teaching

03Rhythm, Melody, and Soundscapes

9 topics·Term 2

An introduction to music theory and composition using digital tools and traditional instruments.

The Anatomy of a Beat

Exploring time signatures, syncopation, and the role of percussion in different genres.

Case Study AnalysisPeer Teaching
Melodic Contours and Emotion

Analyzing how rising and falling pitches create tension and resolution in songwriting.

Gallery WalkCollaborative Problem-SolvingPeer Teaching
Found Sound and Foley Art

Creating atmospheric soundscapes using non-traditional instruments and environmental recordings.

Experiential LearningProject-Based Learning
Introduction to Music Notation

Learning basic musical symbols, staff, clefs, and note values to read and write simple melodies.

Stations RotationPeer Teaching
Exploring Musical Instruments

Categorizing instruments by family (strings, woodwind, brass, percussion) and understanding their unique timbres.

Gallery WalkExpert Panel
Basic Song Structure

Identifying common song forms like verse-chorus, bridge, and outro in popular music.

Case Study AnalysisCollaborative Problem-Solving
Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) Basics

Introduction to recording, editing, and mixing simple audio tracks using a digital audio workstation.

Project-Based LearningFlipped Classroom
Exploring World Music Traditions

Investigating diverse musical styles, instruments, and cultural contexts from around the globe.

Case Study AnalysisExpert Panel
The Power of Lyrics: Storytelling in Song

Analyzing how lyrics convey narratives, emotions, and social commentary in popular music.

RAFT WritingSocratic Seminar

04Movement and Choreography

7 topics·Term 2

Students explore dance as a form of communication, focusing on body alignment and spatial awareness.

Elements of Dance: BASTE

Introduction to Body, Action, Space, Time, and Energy as the building blocks of movement.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Cultural Dance Traditions

Researching and performing movements from various global cultures to understand dance as heritage.

Expert PanelCase Study Analysis
Choreographing a Narrative

Creating a short dance piece that communicates a specific theme or story.

Peer TeachingProject-Based Learning
Body Alignment and Posture

Understanding safe dance practices and the importance of proper body alignment for injury prevention and expressive movement.

Experiential LearningPeer Teaching
Improvisation in Dance

Developing spontaneous movement responses to music and prompts, fostering creativity and adaptability.

Simulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Dance as Social Commentary

Exploring how dance can be used to express social issues, protest, or celebrate cultural identity.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Introduction to Dance History

A brief overview of significant dance forms and their evolution across different historical periods.

Gallery WalkTimeline Challenge

05Art Through the Ages

10 topics·Term 3

A survey of significant art movements and how they reflect the values of their time.

The Renaissance Revolution

Studying the shift toward realism, perspective, and humanism in European art.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Indigenous Australian Art

Exploring the symbols, techniques, and deep connection to Country in First Nations art.

Role PlayMuseum Exhibit
Modernism and Abstraction

Investigating how artists broke away from representation to explore pure color and form.

Socratic SeminarFormal DebateGallery Walk
Ancient Egyptian Art and Symbolism

Examining the conventions of ancient Egyptian art, including hieroglyphics, tomb paintings, and sculpture.

Document MysteryMuseum Exhibit
Greek and Roman Classical Art

Exploring the ideals of beauty, proportion, and naturalism in classical sculpture and architecture.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Art of the Middle Ages: Gothic Cathedrals

Investigating the architectural and artistic innovations of the Gothic period, focusing on cathedrals and stained glass.

Flipped ClassroomConcept Mapping
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

Examining the shift from academic painting to capturing fleeting moments and personal expression.

Socratic SeminarGallery Walk
Contemporary Art: New Media and Concepts

Exploring art forms from the late 20th and 21st centuries, including installation, performance, and digital art.

World CaféPhilosophical Chairs
Art of Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia

Investigating the art and architecture of early Mesopotamian cultures, including Sumerian and Babylonian art.

Document MysteryCase Study Analysis
Baroque and Rococo Art

Exploring the dramatic, ornate styles of the Baroque period and the lighter, more playful Rococo.

Gallery WalkSocratic Seminar

06The Art of Critique

4 topics·Term 3

Developing the language and framework to analyze, interpret, and evaluate various art forms.

The Four Steps of Criticism

Learning the formal process of Description, Analysis, Interpretation, and Judgment.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Ethical Issues in the Arts

Discussing ownership, appropriation, and the role of the artist in society.

Four CornersPhilosophical ChairsCase Study Analysis
Curating an Exhibition

Understanding how the arrangement and presentation of art can change its meaning for an audience.

Museum ExhibitSimulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Analyzing Visual Elements in Art

Applying critical thinking to identify and discuss how line, shape, color, texture, and space function in artworks.

Gallery WalkConcept Mapping

07Media Arts: Digital Storytelling

5 topics·Term 4

Students explore the principles of media arts through creating short digital narratives, focusing on visual and audio elements.

Introduction to Storyboarding

Learning to plan visual narratives by creating sequential drawings that outline scenes and camera angles.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Filming Techniques and Shots

Understanding basic camera shots (e.g., close-up, wide shot) and their impact on storytelling.

Experiential LearningFlipped Classroom
Editing Basics: Pacing and Continuity

Introduction to video editing software, focusing on cutting, transitions, and maintaining narrative flow.

Project-Based LearningPeer Teaching
Sound Design for Film

Exploring the use of dialogue, music, and sound effects to enhance atmosphere and narrative in digital media.

Experiential LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Visual Effects and Animation Basics

Introduction to simple visual effects and animation principles to enhance digital narratives.

Project-Based LearningFlipped Classroom

08Public Art and Community Engagement

3 topics·Term 4

Students investigate the role of art in public spaces and design a concept for a community-based art project.

What is Public Art?

Defining public art and exploring its various forms, from murals to sculptures and installations.

Gallery WalkWorld Café
Art and Urban Spaces

Examining how public art interacts with its environment and influences community identity.

Project-Based LearningWalk and Talk
Community Engagement in Art

Understanding the process of involving community members in the creation and appreciation of public art.

Town Hall MeetingInquiry Circle

09Portfolio Development and Presentation

2 topics·Term 4

Students compile and present a portfolio of their best work, reflecting on their artistic journey and growth.

Selecting and Documenting Artwork

Learning how to choose representative pieces for a portfolio and properly photograph or document them.

Peer TeachingGallery Walk
Writing Artist Statements

Crafting concise written reflections that articulate artistic intentions, processes, and influences.

RAFT WritingThink-Pair-Share