S1-S2 Drama Report Comments (Scotland)

Drama covers creating drama through improvisation and devising from a stimulus, presenting with voice, movement and characterisation, using drama conventions and scripts, theatre arts such as lighting and sound, collaborating in rehearsal, and evaluating performances with drama vocabulary.

Below are 13 sample sentences for S1-S2: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Secure / Consolidating / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 288 drama sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Secure · Consolidating · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Secure S

Strengths

Building on primary drama, [Name] devises from a stimulus such as a poem, photograph or object with originality and turns a first idea into a well-shaped scene.
[Name] moves with intention on stage, stepping closer to or away from other characters and standing, sitting or kneeling to show who holds the power in a scene.

Next steps:

Leading a group's freeze frames and thought-tracking in class would let [Name] share [his/her/their] understanding of conventions and show others how to use them.

Consolidating C

Strengths

Given a stimulus such as a picture, poem or object, [Name] comes up with sound ideas for a short devised scene and helps shape them into a beginning, middle and end.
Posture and gesture help [Name] show the difference between characters, for example the confident walk of a leader compared with a nervous newcomer.

Next steps:

[He/She/They] should add more detail to freeze frames, thinking about facial expression and the distance between characters so each picture tells a clearer story.

Developing D

Strengths

With practice, [Name] learns lines for short scripted scenes and is starting to add simple movements that match what the character says.
Through posture and walk, [Name] is learning to show different characters, for example standing tall for a confident role and shrinking back for a shy one.

Next steps:

In freeze frames, [Name] should focus on facial expression and body shape so that each picture tells the audience more.

Beginning B

Strengths

With a partner to help, [Name] is beginning to learn short lines for class scenes and say them at the right moment.
Simple gestures, such as waving, pointing or folding arms, are starting to appear in [Name]'s performances to show what a character is doing or feeling.

Next steps:

To get ready for group work, [Name] could practise holding still with a clear expression in a freeze frame for a count of ten.

Support at home

Reading a play script aloud together, each taking different characters, helps your child practise expression, pace and clear speaking.

How to write drama comments for S1-S2

Name the convention or skill: using a freeze frame to show a key moment, staying in role during hot-seating, or projecting the voice to the back of the room. A specific skill tells parents and carers more than 'loves drama'.
Describe how the pupil works in a group: offering ideas when devising, listening to others and responding to feedback in rehearsal. A next step might be taking a different role in the group, such as leading the planning.
In S1 and S2, note how the pupil uses voice and movement to build a character. Suggest one concrete step, such as changing pace or pitch to show how a character feels, rather than a general 'be more confident'.

Watch out: Avoid commenting on personality, such as being outgoing or shy. Describe what the pupil does in drama, such as using gesture to show status or contributing ideas when devising, so the next step is about a skill.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is in what has been taught, never a CfE level. Secure suits detailed, accurate work applied to unfamiliar tasks; Consolidating suits a sound grasp with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or worked example; Beginning names what is starting to show and the support that helps. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What Drama covers

In these comments, drama covers these behaviours:

creates drama through improvisation and devising from a stimulus
presents with voice, movement and convincing characterisation
works with scripts and uses drama conventions and theatre arts
collaborates in rehearsal and responds to feedback
evaluates own and others' work and live performance using drama vocabulary

More Scottish secondary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.