1. Study Skills
Higher Drama

2. Units
There are two units that are undertaken in Higher Drama: Drama Skills and Production Skills.
Both have assessment booklets that the pupils must complete.
Each unit also has an evaluation.
Study support will be in helping the pupils to manage their time to meet deadlines and complete their booklets and evaluation in lots of detail.

3. Course Assessment
In Higher Drama the pupils have to complete TWO essays in the exam: Textual Analysis and Performance Analysis.
Textual Analysis
Pupils study the play Lovers by Brian Friel. Study involves reading the play and the extensive ‘Lovers Notes’ which are a great resource in helping to understand the themes and characters. They also help to pose important questions about the text. (Issued to pupils and available on the webpage)
There are also background notes and other resources for Lovers on the school webpage. These can be used to develop understanding and knowledge of the play.
Pupils will be issued with essay plans and should use these to work on structuring essays. It is vital that essays are complete and in on time to enable the pupils to receive feedback to help them improve.

4. Course Assessment
A Lovers ‘Quotes’ booklet and Past Paper booklet will be issued. Both should be used to help work on essays. These can also be accessed on the school website:
Password: Higher Drama Then: dramaskills or productionskills
Password: National 5 Drama: S4 space Drama
Accessing the Understanding Standards webpage will also provide great insight into SQA marking instructions and guidelines for writing essays. (See next Slide)

6. Course Assessment Performance Analysis Brothers Karamazov
The pupils go to see this on Tues 24th Oct (evening performance). Pre-show workshop is on Mon 23rd Oct and Post –show workshop Thursday 2nd Nov (both during school time).
The pre and post show workshops will be a brilliant opportunity for the pupils to develop their understanding of the play. They will be able to discuss the production and decisions made by the director and production team – all essential in helping them when it comes to preparing to write an essay for this element.

7. Course Assessment
There is also a resource page available, which the pupils will have the link to. This provides excellent information about the rehearsal process and decisions made, as well as interviews with the cast and the director:
The pupils will also be given a link to a recorded version of the production, helping them to watch this in class and for home study, to focus on the acting and design used in the production.
They must learn to analyse the production and understand:
Themes, Characters, Directors intentions, Genre, Social and Historical context, Overall impact, Use of acting and Use of design within the play.

8. Course Assessment
Support at home in the form of encouraging the pupils to begin creating their own ‘lists’ from the play. This will help them to consider key elements used and help them to prepare for a number of different questions that could be asked.
Again, the Understanding Standards website will help with essay exemplars.
The pupils will also be issued with a ‘Quotes’ booklet and notes to help them with their understanding of the play.

9. Course Assessment TWO contrasting acting pieces.
Rehearsal for the first acting piece will be part of the Production Skills unit, which begins in October.
Preparation for the second acting piece begins after Christmas.
Supported study will be offered for both the written and acting elements of the course. Encouragement to attend as much of this as possible will immensely benefit the pupils, helping them to gain one to one advice and support in all elements of their course work.
Reading over lines, helping to learn lines and general encouragement, will all be useful in supporting the pupils through their acting pieces.

10. Study Skills
National 5 Drama

11. Combined Unit
There are two units that are undertaken in National 5 Drama:
Drama Skills and Production Skills.
We combine these units into one to make it as streamlined as possible.
Pupils must complete a booklet on their acting and production skill in order to successfully pass the unit.
This unit of work is completed with an evaluation.
Ways in which you can support the pupils are by in ensuring they manage their time efficiently to meet deadlines. Also aiding them to complete their booklets and evaluation in detail. Many of the homework for this unit is sections of the booklet.

12. Course Assessment – Overview
In National 5 Drama the pupils have to complete two elements.
A Performance Element and a Question Paper
Performance = 60 marks
Broken down into 50 marks for acting/production role and
10 Preparation for Performance
Question paper = 60 marks (scaled mark to 40)
Broken down into Section 1 = 20 marks
Section 2 = 40 marks
In order to sit a National 5 the pupil needs to have achieved the 4th curriculum level or National 4 Drama equivalent
Progression if passed Higher Drama then Advanced Higher

13. Course Assessment - Performance
One acting piece or production role will be assessed.
Play to the pupils strengths.
The pupil’s piece will last a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 50.
Rehearsal for the performance piece will begin in January during class time and their excerpt of text will be issued to them before the Winter break.
Supported study will be offered for both the written and acting elements of the course. Encouragement to attend as much of this as possible will immensely benefit the pupils, helping them to gain one to one advice and support in all elements of their course work.
Reading over lines, helping to learn lines and general encouragement will all be useful in supporting the pupils through their acting piece/production role.

14. Course Assessment - Paper
Important Date = Friday June 1st National 5 – 13:00-14:30 (Higher – 13:00-15:00)
1 hour and 30 minutes for the National 5 paper
Section 1 – (20 marks) Assessing the ability to evaluate their own work and the work of others. This must be answered as an actor. Based on the Drama they are currently working on for their unit assessments.
Section 2 – (40 marks) Assessing the ability to respond to stimuli and create their own piece of drama suitable for performance
Attending supported study and completing homework tasks will aid the pupil and raise their attainment. Support can be offered through looking at the SQA sight for past papers/marking instructions/exemplars/ etc. Photos on the slides next will show you helpful links to guide studying.

17. Understanding Standards - SQA
Again, accessing the Understanding Standards webpage will provide great insight into SQA marking instructions and guidelines for the paper and performance.

18. BBC Bitesize – Higher and National 5

19. Recommended Study Books

20. All revision materials are on our Drama website