By Glen Hodgson, Primary Drama Teacher
Throughout the primary years, students at ISU are fortunate to experience Drama from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Starting with basic theatre skills in Grade 1, the programme helps students deepen their understanding of theatre while gaining valuable life skills that support their growth year after year.
For many people, the subject of drama is often reduced to simply “learning how to act.” I believe it is far more than that. While drama classes do teach students the fundamentals of acting, the learning extends well beyond performance skills.
One step at a time
Each unit is designed to develop valuable life skills through engaging activities and games. Drama class also integrates with students’ classroom units in a fun and engaging way once a year.
Each year builds toward an end-of-year production, performed during Drama Week by every class in each grade. The ultimate goal is for students to reach their Grade 5 Exhibition secure in their presentation skills and able to draw on everything they have learned throughout their drama journey as they move into secondary.
Grade 1 – So, what really is Drama?
Grade 1 marks our students' official introduction to Drama. Lessons take place in the exciting new world of the drama room — complete with flowing blue curtains, theatre-style lighting and sound, and their very first stage. Here, students begin developing confidence as they learn and practise new performance techniques in a creative and supportive environment.
Grade 2–Who’s who?
Building on these skills, Grade 2 introduces scripts, and students begin to incorporate expressing motions into their performances.They are introduced to the many roles involved in bringing a production to life.
Grade 3 - Raising the curtain on new challenges
Students now have a strong foundation in essential drama techniques, including improvisation, mime, tableau, storytelling, and the use of costumes and props. Now, everything they have learned comes together as they prepare for their most ambitious end-of- year production yet.
Grade 4 – Exploring culture through theatre
Grade 4 takes a slightly different approach, with the focus shifting to culture in the arts. Learners explore body language and dance.
Grade 5 – Meet your character
In this final year of PYP Drama, learners create a character that they embody and develop throughout the year. This theme runs across all units, with each one introducing new skills that help learners feel increasingly prepared for their end-of-year Exhibition.
From their first steps on the classroom stage to leading performances and embodying their own characters, PYP Drama equips students not just with theatre skills, but with the confidence, creativity, and resilience they will carry into the MYP years and beyond.