Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students learn about the power of status and chorus in performance. By examining Danny Green’s STOP the Coward Punch campaign, the class reflect on how high and low-status characters can be created by how a chorus responds to them. Students consider the role of real-life bystanders or upstanders in rewarding or punishing violent or aggressive behaviours, by either attributing power to individuals, or undermining it.
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 concept of status and how this is demonstrated physically and dramatically, or through camera angles
- Students will understand the role of the chorus in determining the status of lead characters
- Students will explore the strategies and techniques of the chorus.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Years 7 & 8 Drama:
- Develop roles and characters consistent with situation, dramatic forms and performance styles to convey status, relationships and intentions (ACADRM041)
- 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: DRAA4.1.2, DRAA4.3.2
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability
Relevant parts of Years 7 & 8 achievement standards:
They evaluate how they and others from different cultures, times and places communicate meaning and intent through drama. Students collaborate to devise, interpret and perform drama. They apply different performance styles and conventions to convey status, relationships and intentions.
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.
Related professional development: Strategies for Dealing with Aggressive and Violent Behaviours
Keywords: coward punch, violence, observation, analysis, character, status, chorus, attribution, scenario
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
