Zimbabwe Grade 2 Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum

This curriculum aims to develop creativity, performance, and originality in learners through music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. It encourages entrepreneurship and places the arts within their socio-economic, political, and cultural contexts. The curriculum follows a developmental, spiral approach, building upon concepts from prior grades. It emphasizes learner-centered, play-oriented, and practical learning experiences.

History and Culture

Learners explore the role of music, musicians, and composers in past and present cultures, focusing on daily and special events. They examine movements in response to various musical instruments of different genres, periods, and styles. Songs and games from Zimbabwe and other cultures are studied.

Creative Processes and Performance

This section focuses on developing practical skills. Learners identify pitch in songs and use percussion instruments in short melodies and songs. They compose, arrange, and improvise melodies and practice oral reading of basic note values. In visual arts, they work with three-dimensional media, explore elements and principles of design, draw, paint, and craft objects. Theatre activities include theatre games focusing on cooperation, concentration, and trust-building. Learners develop story outlines, create tableau/still pictures of national leaders, and design costumes and props. Dance involves exploring movement patterns and sequences, movement problems, and shapes and movement at different tempos.

Aesthetic Values and Appreciation

Learners critique artworks and analyze finished performances. They study elements and principles of design and explore the meaning of artworks within their nation. They develop dance vocabulary related to levels, rhythm, patterns, directions, tempos, and types of energy. They also learn to communicate mood and ideas through dance. In music, they identify and express ideas and moods through music, focusing on recorded music. They also study music and musicians. In theatre, they develop live performance appreciation skills and analyze actor's performances, focusing on message, moral values, and emotional reactions.

Arts Technology

Learners use technological tools for music composition and recording, including audio and visual software. They explore visual technological tools in their country, including photography, video, and filming equipment, as well as visual arts software. They learn about lighting and setting, sound effects and their impact, and digital theatre. In dance, they use video for dance drama and explore the use of technology in dance.

Enterprise Skills (Entrepreneurship)

Learners investigate careers in music, visual arts, theatre, and dance. They explore fundraising performances and learn about business ethics, soft skills, unhu/ubuntu, and copyright protection. They create market plans for their products and learn about pricing and selling. They also learn about organizing fundraising musical festivals and exhibitions and commissioned work. They develop business ethics, soft skills, unhu/ubuntu, and an understanding of copyright protection.