The Arts · Years 7–8 · NZ Curriculum
Performing arts (dance and drama)
What The Arts intermediate students in Aotearoa New Zealand learn under performing arts (dance and drama), and where it shows up across Kōkiri Learn's inquiry worlds.
The Arts · 8 inquiry worlds cover this strand
New Zealand Curriculum, Phase 3
The teaching sequence
Year 7 sequence
- Movement, gesture, props and costume as symbols
- Drama techniques for character
- Performance technologies
- Genres and critique of themes
Year 8 sequence
- Symbols, signs and abstract ideas
- Role play
- Flow and transitions
- Whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and reciprocity
Where this shows up
Kōkiri Learn inquiry worlds that cover this strand
The whole class works on one world at a time — these are where this strand's focus actually comes up.
4 weeksHe Kōrero Auaha: Art That SpeaksYear 7 sequence · Symbolism: movements, gestures, props and colours used to represent abstract ideas (performance option)
5 weeksMove: Dance and ChoreographyYear 7 sequence · Using symbolic gesture and abstraction to express themes; building on body, space, time, energy and relationship to create more complex performances; refining choreography for expressive clarity
- 5 weeksMove: Dance and Choreography
Year 7 sequence · Exploring how kapa haka uses structural conventions (waiata, haka, poi) to convey cultural narratives, expressed through ihi, wehi and wana; identifying features unique to a style or genre
5 weeksStage It: Drama and Devised TheatreYear 7 sequence · Creating devised drama in response to a theme; drama techniques for character depth; identifying and using performing arts technologies (lighting, sound, props, costume) with intent to enhance meaning
5 weeksTransforming Ideas into FormYear 8 sequence · Flow and transitions; whanaungatanga and manaakitanga in collaborative making (performance option)
- 5 weeksMove: Dance and Choreography
Year 8 sequence · Using transitions to shape the emotional flow of a performance; intentionally using lighting, sound and costume; recognising the role of reciprocity in kapa haka and siva Sāmoa
- 5 weeksStage It: Drama and Devised Theatre
Year 8 sequence · Communicating a complex idea by manipulating aspects of performance; symbolism and abstraction; transitions that shape emotional flow; genre conventions such as direct address in political theatre
5 weeksWord Weavers: Poetry and PerformanceYear 7 sequence · Movement, gesture and props as symbols in a live performance
Ready to run it with your class?
Free trial for NZ schools. One combined Years 7–8 class, any term.