Coward Punch: Dramatic Elements - Drama - Years 7 & 8

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this lesson, students revise and understand the Elements of Drama from the Australian Curriculum. They learn about Danny Green’s Stop the Coward Punch campaign and analyse a TV commercial for the elements of drama that have been used. Through a collaborative learning activity, students build their knowledge of how the Elements of Drama can be used to shape dramatic meaning for an audience.

The STOP the Coward Punch education package aims to spread awareness about the devastating effects of the coward punch on our community. This education package was developed by a team of experts, including a youth worker, education specialist and specialist teachers and references the latest research and laws on coward punches.

Learning intentions:

Students will understand the elements of drama and can identify their use in dramatic texts
Students will develop an awareness of the STOP the Coward Punch campaign
Students will improvise using dramatic elements.

21st century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Years 7 & 8 Drama:

Combine the elements of drama in devised and scripted drama to explore and develop issues, ideas and themes (ACADRM040)
Analyse how the elements of drama have been combined in devised and scripted drama to convey different forms, performance styles and dramatic meaning (ACADRR045)

Syllabus outcomes: DRAA4.3.1, DRAM4.1.2

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability

Relevant parts of Years 7 & 8 achievement standards:

Students identify and analyse how the elements of drama are used, combined and manipulated in different styles. They apply this knowledge in drama they make and perform. Students collaborate to devise, interpret and perform drama. They manipulate the elements of drama, narrative and structure to control and communicate meaning.

Topic: Social Issues

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work STOP the Coward Punch: Arts – Years 7 to 10.

Time required: 60 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: A medium level of teacher scaffolding is required in this lesson. The teacher will facilitate class discussion and observe groups interacting, encouraging their creativity.

Resources required:

Device capable of presenting a video to the class with connection to the internet
Student Worksheet – one per student.

Related professional development: Strategies for Dealing with Aggressive and Violent Behaviours

Keywords: coward punch, violence, elements of drama, analysis, dramatic elements, drama

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher Preparation

Learning intentions: Students will...

... understand the dramatic elements and can identify their use in dramatic texts
... develop an awareness of the STOP the Coward Punch campaign
... improvise using dramatic elements.

Success criteria: Students can…

… identify how the elements of drama are applied in a television commercial
… work with a group to apply the elements of drama to an improvised work
… use performance to create a social message that challenges violence.

Teacher content information:

The STOP the Coward Punch campaign
STOP the Coward Punch by Danny Green aims to eliminate the coward punch from society and save lives in the process. Since 2000, over 172 Australians have been killed by a coward punch and many more were injured. The coward punch leaves a devastating ripple through society, mentally and physically scarring family, friends and survivors for life. The STOP the Coward Punch campaign began in 2012 to raise awareness

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Student Worksheet

Dramatic Elements - Student Worksheet

Learning intentions:

You will understand the dramatic elements and can identify their use in dramatic texts
You will develop an awareness of the STOP the Coward Punch campaign
You will improvise using dramatic elements.

Success criteria:

You can identify how the elements of drama are applied in a television commercial
You can work with a group to apply the elements of drama to an improvised work
You can use performance to create a social message that challenges violence.

The Campaign

1. Watch this video:

Swipe Out Violence (https://youtu.be/ZfRtZZWZLek)

You and your partner have been assigned one element of drama to concentrate on when you watch the STOP the Coward Punch video. You will fill in the rest during the class discussion.

Observation Table

Element of Drama	Observation
1. Relationships The connections and interactions between people that affect the dramatic action. How do the characters connec

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Activity: Coward Punch: Dramatic Elements – Drama – Years 7 & 8