Dinosaur Zoo Sydney Opera House 2019 Teacher Resources
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Dinosaur Zoo Sydney Opera House 2019 Teacher Resources
Welcome
Sydney Opera House is one of the indisputable Did You Know…?
masterpieces of human creativity and has long been a - Sydney Opera House is home to seven
place for learning and sharing knowledge. The land on flagship Australian performing arts
companies which bring art to life every
which Sydney Opera House stands was known to its day beneath the famous shells. We are
traditional custodians, the Gadigal people of the Eora proud to partner with the Australian
Chamber Orchestra, Bangarra Dance
Nation, as Tubowgule, meaning “where the knowledge Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Opera
waters meet”. A stream carried fresh water down from Australia, Sydney Theatre Company,
The Australian Ballet and the Sydney
what is now Pitt Street to the cove near Tubowgule, a Symphony Orchestra.
rock promontory that at high tide became an island.
- 130,000 people attend performances
The mixing of fresh and salt waters formed a perfect at the Sydney Opera House, for young
fishing ground. Middens of shells were a testament to audiences annually.
Tubowgule’s long history as a place where the Gadigal - Since 2014, one furry guest has caught
the attention of locals and international
gathered, feasted, sung, danced and told stories. visitors alike. The northern VIP steps of
the Opera House, otherwise unoccupied
for the majority of the year, is the
favourite sunbathing spot of a wild
long-nosed fur seal, affectionately called
‘Benny’ (named after Bennelong Point).
- You can now experience the Opera
House, as never before, on Google’s
digital museum platform with 1270
digital artefacts and 50 interactive
online exhibits; the Sydney Opera
House’s presence on the Google
Cultural Institute allows people
everywhere to experience the
symbol of modern Australia.
In this program
3 Introduction 10 Pre Performance Activities
4 Sydney Opera House Tour 12 Post Performance Activities
5 The Creative Learning Journey 15 At the Sydney Opera House
6 Sydney Opera House 16
Classroom Context
Creativity Framework and Curriculum Links
7 Performance Description 17 Keep in touch
and Synopsis
8 About About Erth Visual &
Physical Inc
9
Q&A with the Artistic Director
Introduction
These Creative Learning Resources have
been prepared to help you get the most out
of Dinosaur Zoo These resources have been
collated to help prepare your students unpack
the performance and gain the most from their
attendance at the production.
You should use and adapt these Resources to
suit the student age and stage of your class and
the curriculum foci and outcomes used in your
school. These Resources are written as a creative
document for you to bring to life. If you have
questions about exercises or provocations please
feel free to make contact to talk it through. We are
always open to feedback, comments and working
with you to assist and learn from you. Contact
details are on the back page.
Some websites are suggested throughout this
resource. It is recommended that you first visit the
sites and assess the suitability of the content for
your particular school environment before setting
the activities based on these.
Sydney Opera House has a bank of Creative
Learning Resources for you to access and use.
Please have a look around our website for other
resources and activities that could support your
classroom learning program.
Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks are extended to Erth Visual &
Physical Inc. who have generously allowed their
resources to be included in this document.
3
Visiting the Sydney
Opera House
On the day At the theatre
Arrive early We’d like to welcome you to the experience
Please ensure that your group arrives of attending a live performance – while we
at the venue 25 minutes prior to the know you get all the etiquette stuff, here’s
performance start time. Latecomers may a reminder of some simple information you
only be admitted to a performance during can pass on to your students.
a suitable break, and in some cases, may - We ask you to get involved in the
be excluded. Please call Front of House performances by applauding and
on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if you are laughing at appropriate moments.
running late. If you have a question – ask your
School bags teacher at the interval/end of the
Your safety and security is paramount show or one of the cast, if you have
to us during your visit to the Opera a chance for a Question & Answer
House. Therefore, all items larger than session.
the dimensions of a standard A4 piece - Food and drink is not permitted
of paper must be checked in to the in the theatre
cloakroom. As they have limited space,
- Live theatre is different to TV – the actors
we ask that teachers and students do
on stage can hear and see you and there
not bring large bags/backpacks to
are other members of the audience
the performance.
to think about. If you need to leave the
Food and beverage performance for any reason, please
You’ll find food and drinks outlets on the ensure this is done quickly and quietly
lower level of the concourse. Please note at an appropriate break in the action.
food and drink are permitted inside the
- Switching your phone to silent isn’t the
foyers, but only bottled water in
only thing to do. Please ensure that you
the venues.
switch off your mobile phone and leave
Getting here it in your bag before the performance
We are a ten minute walk from Circular begins. The glow of an iPhone screen
Quay, the closest station for public is obvious to others and is very
transport via train, bus and ferry. To view distracting!
timetable information and ensure your
public transport needs can be met,
please contact Transport NSW on
131500 or transportnsw.info.
Coach parking
Buses and coaches can’t park onsite at
Sydney Opera House. Large buses must
disembark passengers on Macquarie
Street. Please contact City of Sydney
to confirm bus and coach set down
areas. We recommend allowing an
additional 10 minutes for walking
from Macquarie Street.
4
The Creative
Learning Journey
Before you arrive On the day Back in the classroom
- Begin your Creative - Explore the Opera House - Continue the creative exploration
Learning Journey Book a Guided Tour, for before or after Bring the creatives to you and
Have your students think about the your performance, and explore the participate in one of our digital
themes of the performance with venues and spaces of the iconic Sydney workshops or digital author talks
information and activities in these Opera House with one of our expert to further extend the learning
Creative Learning Teachers Resources. tour guides. journey of your students. Free for
- Preparing for your visit - Question the creatives all Australian schools and offered
Prepare students for your visit Enjoy the event and be ready to get throughout the year.
with a Digital Tour of the Sydney involved in the Q&A sessions after - Listen and watch
Opera House prior to your theatre the performances with our education Use the digital content pieces
excursion. Introduce the story of specialists, performers, directors on our social media channels
this place so that your students and producers. to gain more insight into the world
begin engaging before they arrive. - Delve deeper of Sydney Opera House and the
Free for all Australian Schools and For some events, students are exciting things that happen here.
offered throughout the year. able to participate in workshops
with the artists and creatives
at the Opera House. Check out
each performance to see what
is available – but space is limited!
- Make a day of it
Don’t forget we are located close
to a range of cultural institutions.
The Royal Botanic Gardens,
Museum of Contemporary Art,
Museum of Sydney, State Library
of NSW, Art Gallery of NSW
and Australian Museum offer
exhibitions, workshops and more
for schools, all within walking
distance of Sydney Opera House.
5Sydney Opera House
Creativity Framework
These Creative Learning Resources have been written
using the Sydney Opera House Creativity Framework
as the pedagogy. The Framework aims to define the
creative process in a way that educators can use
to teach and be inspired by.
At a glance this Creativity Framework is:
Prepare Question Reflect
Tools and pathways Analysis, investigation Remembering,
Preparing mind, body, space, and revelation processing, exiting
materials and time. Creating new understanding Creating understanding
by analyzing what just and healthy memories
Buy in happened when honing from the creative process
Presence and enthusiasm the imagination. and product.
Convincing students that
they want to be there. Make
Forging from content
Imagine Putting shape to content
The fertile unknown and moving towards a
Exploring a subject through project; scripts, composition,
arts practice. Using form choreography, project design.
to uncover content.
Show
Allowing uncensored Commit, frame, judgement
expression to reveal Performing and presenting
new ways of seeing the work.
a subject.
Whilst written as a sequence, the Sydney This Framework underpins the Sydney
Opera House Creativity Framework is Opera House Creative Leadership in
not a method or system but a way of Learning program that sees schools
articulating the creative process. As partner with the House for three years
the Framework is applied it becomes in a program of teacher professional
apparent the sequence dissolves and learning, student projects and
many of the specific sections live in one performances. For more information
exercise. These resources have been please see the Sydney Opera House
written with this in mind. website.
6Performance Description
and Synopsis
You will experience close up, a selection of amazing Topics for exploration
life-like dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures that
Years
- Visual and
inhabited the landscape millions of years ago. physical theatre
The show is presented in the style of a live animal - Bunraku puppetry
3–6 display and children will have the opportunity to help
feed, water and care for these prehistoric marvels in
- Dinosaur footprints
- Theatrical visual art
this fabulous educational show.
- Opalised fossils
Tue 24 Sep The animals on display in Dinosaur Zoo are
unmistakably ‘alive’ and mostly friendly! Students Central themes
10.30am & 12.30pm
will have the opportunity to get up close and - Australian dinosaurs
Wed 25 Sep personal throughout the show with an amazing array
10.30am & 12.30pm - Exploring
of creatures from bygone eras, while connecting to
$20 per student the real science of palaeontology, and having loads
of fun along the way. Cross curriculum
70 min (incl. 10 min Q&A) priority area
Venue: Studio But watch out! Not all the dinosaurs are as tame - Sustainability
as they might seem.
Special Digital Creative
+ Digital
Learning Event
Workshop
Digital Dinos Puppet Workshop
This brand new interactive workshop is an
opportunity for your students to engage with
puppeteers from Erth and learn about the
development and creation of these realistic
dinosaur puppets. Bookings close 7 Aug 2019.
Wed 28 Aug 11am, 12.15pm & 2pm
Thu 29 Aug 11am, 12.15pm & 2pm
Free for rural and remote schools
45 min
To book: Visit sydneyoperahouse.com or email
creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com
7About Erth
Visual &
Physical Inc
ERTH bring the impossible to life. Over 21 years,
the company has developed a truly fantastic
aesthetic and an extraordinary box of tricks, the
foundations of its unique visual theatre works.
The company regularly tours internationally,
to every major Australian festival, and to regional
and major city venues around the country.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™ has toured through The company has also been In Bunraku, there are usually several
Australia and overseas since 2009 and is commissioned by major museums puppeteers who manipulate the puppet
now joined by I, Bunyip, and its cast of including The Australian Museum, directly and are visible throughout the
Australian Indigenous spirit creatures and Auckland War Memorial Museum (New play rather than being hidden.
their stories, touring Australia nationally Zealand), Powerhouse Museum (Sydney),
in 2012. The Nargun and the Stars, an The Field Museum in Chicago, Science Usually 3 puppeteers will operate 1 puppet
adaptation of Patricia Wrightson’s novel, Museum Minnesota, Natural Museums in Bunraku- each puppeteer is responsible
was commissioned by Sydney and Liverpool (UK), Naturalis (Leiden), for moving a different part of the body
Perth Festivals in 2009. National Museums Northern Ireland,
Montreal Science Museum and the Puppetry in Japan is highly regarded.
Recent dynamic work, Murder, inspired Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. Bunraku is directly related to the
by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ album Most recently Erth commissioned work “kabuki,” mime theatre tradition and at
Murder Ballads was assisted by the and supplied hero dinosaur puppets for one time was considered the highest form
Australian Government’s Major Festivals the Field Station Dinosaurs Theme Park. of theatre in Japan, with the greatest writ-
Initiative and was performed across ers and actors of the day creating work
national festivals (2013). Erth’s design studio has built for a exclusively for Bunraku performances.
huge range of cultural institutions and
“More than a million people have seen its commercial clients from Sydney Olympic Many plays were written that are similar
dinosaurs museums and in performance Games Opening Ceremony, Sydney to Shakespearean dramas, with detailed
works such as Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™.” Opera House and City of Sydney. language and complex plots.
Erth’s works range from large-scale Erth was founded in 1990 in Ballarat, Bunraku plays are still performed today
interactive environments, such as The Victoria and is now based at Sydney’s in Japan, a master puppeteer spends a
Garden, a prehistoric landscape inhabited Carriageworks contemporary arts centre lifetime perfecting manipulation of his
by giant insects which premiered at the puppet.
Melbourne International Festival of Arts About the Puppets
to more intimate in-theatre works and The main style of puppetry used in erth.com.au
roving spectaculars. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™ is a modified style
of “Bunraku” (bunrah-koo), a form of
Beautiful new work, The Dream of the puppetry that originated in Japan over
Thylacine premiered at Ten Days on the 400 years ago.
Island (2013) and launched its
mainland premiere at Carriageworks
in September 2013.
8Q&A with the Artistic
Director – Scott Wright
What is Erth and what is Erth’s The puppet designs are amazing!
Dinosaur Zoo™? Who creates them and how?
Erth is a visual and physical theatre We have a team of amazing artists in
company based in Sydney, at an awesome Erth’s Studio where everything is created
venue called Carriageworks. We have for the show, from making the puppets
been around for about 20 years and tour to creating the sound effects for each
shows around Australia and overseas. dinosaur.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™ is a very cool show
that is presented as a live animal display, Where have you toured?
like Steve Irwin would have done at Where haven’t we been?
Australia Zoo, but instead of crocodile Robert Irwin’s birthday in Queensland,
and snakes we have dinosaurs. one of the oldest theatres in Wellington
(New Zealand), the halls of the Los
All of the dinosaurs and prehistoric Angeles Natural History Museum. The
creatures are Australian and during the show has been so many places and will
show we let kids come up and pat them, continue travelling.
feed them … and if the kids behave badly,
we feed them to the dinosaurs (joking)! Would this show only appeal to artists
or to a wider audience?
When you were younger, did you ever This show appeals to anybody between
think you would be involved in something the ages of 5 and 500.
like the type of work that Erth creates?
Who are your team?
No, not really, but as a child I was an The Erth team/crew sometimes changes,
extrovert, and I also loved puppets and depending on where we are performing.
made my own puppets. The two things They are always great people and all have
had to come together at some point. vast amounts of skill and experience.
I have performed in the show as the
How was the concept for Erth’s presenter, we also like to work with real
Dinosaur Zoo™ inspired? zoo-keepers and use them to present
We do a lot of work with museums the show. It‘s really cool when a real
throughout the world, making life size zookeeper works with us to present the
dinosaur puppets, and we decided that show because they really do look after
we would make some of our own and animals.
promote Australia prehistoric natural
history. The show is very funny but Whereas whenever I do it, I’m just a
educational at the same time. We always theatre director who knows a lot about
get people coming up to us at the end dinosaurs … even though a lot of people
of the show telling us how much they think I’m a palaeontologist! We also work
enjoyed the show, and how they didn’t with a team of puppeteers who are all
know what to expect but were really great at bringing our dinosaurs to life.
pleased that they came.
What’s the best thing about taking
Aesthetically, the show looks this production on tour?
interesting, what about the storyline? One of the endearing things about touring
Does any plot exist? the show is performing the work in more
There’s no real storyline. It really is a live and more regional towns. The audiences
animal presentation. Of course, each are so warm and appreciative. The show
dinosaur comes with a back story about really does appeal to so many people and
where it came from, what it eats, etc. it’s always great to do the show for new
audiences. The response and enthusiasm
Who are some of the most popular is wonderful, and you feel like the show
characters? evolves with every thank you and round
The baby dinosaurs and the big scary of applause.
carnivores. One truly amazing thing about
their popularity is that we have many
dinosaurs that have appeared on various
YouTube clips. We totalled the amount
of hits the other day and discovered that
our dinosaurs have amassed over 5 million
hits collectively. One dino in particular
has 3 million to herself!
9Pre Performance
Activities
Digital tours
Introduce students to the fascinating the-scenes look at the design principals
uses, features and history of this formulated by architect Jørn Utzon.
Australian icon and remarkable Finally, students will learn about the
performing arts venue, through a people who create the live performance
Digital Tour of the Sydney Opera House experiences within these iconic spaces,
from the comfort of your classroom. from lighting designers to stage artists.
You won’t believe how much is involved!
Students will discover the Indigenous
history of Bennelong Point and reflect Free for Australian Schools. To book visit
on the cultural significance of the site sydneyoperahouse.com/schools/
today. Our experienced guide will then
take students for an exclusive behind-
NESA creative arts
k-6 unit of work
Use the NSW Educational Standard patterns (orientation, rising action and
Authority sample unit of work to explore, complication, climax and resolution) are
through drama, stories about dinosaurs. incorporated in the developing story.
Students and teacher work together
Early Stage 1 — Dinosaurs Unit in role to develop the action of the
Duration: 1–2 lessons drama, using dialogue, movement and
Forms: Storytelling, Movement improvisation to advance its course.
The elements of drama (tension, focus,
In this unit, students draw on their mood, contrast, symbol and space) are all
knowledge of, and interest in, the topic, incorporated in this unit.
working with the teacher to develop
a story about a dinosaur in trouble.
The format is that of a ‘whodunit’, but
students are active participants rather
than an audience observing the action
of the drama. The conventional narrative
10What if
Discuss features of character and What if you opened a book about
movement through binary opposites: dinosaurs and one stumbled out?
open/close ...
gigantic/tiny ... Bring the poem What If to life as you
hungry/bursting ... tell it to your students.
heavy/light ...
scared/fearless ... Students dramatise opening a book
loud/soft to find a dinosaur stumbling out.
Read What If Encourage imagination, expression and
by Isabel Joshlin Glaser movement to elaborate on their reaction.
What if... Ask students:
You opened a book - How big is your dinosaur?
About dinosaurs - What does s/he feel, smell, look like?
And one stumbled out - Is s/he friendly?
And another and another - Is s/he scary?
And more and more pour - Does s/he make sounds?
Until the whole place - Can s/he communicate?
Is bumbling and rumbling
And groaning and moaning
And snoring and roaring
And dinosauring?
What if...
You tried to push them
Back inside
But, they kept tromping
Off the pages instead?
Would you close the covers?
Sock puppets
Sweet Skills: How to Make a Puppet
In our series of ‘How to’ videos, expert
puppet maker, 11-year-old Maya, shows
host Curly how to make one very cool
sock puppet. Watch and use to create
sock puppets with your students.
youtube.com/watch?v=3KkXs9WlyC4
11Post Performance
Activities
Reflection Time Additional Website
Resources
Now you have seen the show - we hope Australian Age Of Dinosaurs
you have lots to talk about and will have Norwich Puppet Theatre australianageofdinosaurs.com/
a lively discussion all about it! puppettheatre.co.uk
Australian Museum:
Use the following questions to start Dino Dictionary Dinosaurs
the discussion: dinodictionary.com/index.asp australianmuseum.net.au
/event/Dinosaurs
- What did you see in the show? Wikipedia - Dinosaur
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur
- What do you remember most strongly
about the performance? Natural History Museum UK: Dinosaurs
nhm.ac.uk/discover/dinosaurs
- Can you remember any dinosaur facts?
Australian Opal Centre: Fossils
- Did you join in with any parts australianopalcentre.com
of the show?
Museum of Victoria: Dinosaurs
- Did you like the show? museumvictoria.com.au/
melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/
- Do you have a favourite moment? dinosaur-walk/
- Can you mimic your favourite puppet Melbourne Museum:
or character from the show or act out 600 Million Years Ago
a moment from the show? museumvictoria.com.au/
melbournemuseum/discoverycentre
- Try out different ways of describing*
/600-million-years/
memorable moments from the show
Queensland Museum: Dinosaurs
Remember you can ‘describe’ things
qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/
in various ways: Verbally, in writing, by
Dinosaurs+and+Ancient+Life+
drawing pictures or through movement.
of+Queen…
12Make Your Own Mini
Dinosaur Puppets
- Print the images on to white card.
- Colour and cut out the dinosaur shape.
- Cut out the 2 large holes and push 2 of
your fingers through to make the legs of
your dinosaur!
Have a go at designing your own dinosaur
puppet character. Draw your design on
to white card, colour it in and cut out.
Remember to include holes where you
will put your fingers to make the legs!
13Post Performance
Activities
14At the Sydney
Opera House
Beneath the sails, six venues host a staggering variety
of performances. More than 2000 events are held
363 days a year; that’s more than 40 shows a week.
From our largest, the Concert Hall, right The Studio is in many respects a blank
through to our most intimate, the Utzon page, where a concept can be brought
Room, our venues host a vast range of to life in a range of configurations.
shows, from harpsichord music to hard Designed primarily for contemporary
rock, lectures to electronica, circus to music performances, The Studio is also
opera and everything in between. suitable for film screenings, cocktail
Our stages have been graced by every parties, cabaret and burlesque acts,
kind of royalty - actual, intellectual, in addition to providing the perfect
showbiz, even punk-rock. Opera stars, venue for spoken-word and corporate
world movers and shakers, dancers and presentations. The flexible seating layout
performers of extraordinary talent play to allows for standing crowds, cabaret-style
rapturous audiences in every space. seating or a tiered bank of seats.
These are rooms for standing ovations,
shared moments and treasured Seating an intimate 300 people, shows
inspirations. To see a show at the Sydney in The Studio bring eccentric, exquisite,
Opera House is to enter a space filled bizarre and beautiful experiences to
with the crackling energy of great artists audiences. This theatre, with its capacity
and entertainers. to transform, is a space where the edges
Dinosaur Zoo is staged in The Studio of art are not only reached but explored.
Unique among our venues, The Studio
is our most flexible venue – changing
to meet the needs of its many diverse
productions. Performances for our
youngest audiences (from just two years
of age) take place during the day and
the world’s best cabaret and circus acts
delight audiences in the evening.
15Classroom Context
and Curriculum Links
This performance provides the classroom teacher with many opportunities for learning
activities that link to the New South Wales curriculum. See below for the suggested
links to the relevant syllabus, however creative teachers will find many more.
Subject Stage Content Objective Outcome
Science and Early Living World: Living Knowledge and STe-3LW-ST explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living
Technology Stage 1 things have basic Understanding things
needs, including
food and water.
(ACSSU002)
Earth and Space: Knowledge and STe-6ES-S identifies how daily and seasonal changes in the
Daily and seasonal Understanding environment affect humans and other living things
changes in our
environment,
including the weather,
affect everyday life.
(ACSSU004)
Stage 1 Living World: Living Knowledge and ST1-4LW-S describes observable features of living things and
things have a variety Understanding their environments
of external features.
(ACSSU017)
Living World: Living
things grow, change
and have offspring
similar to themselves.
(ACSSU030)
Living World: Living
things live in different
places where their
needs are met.
(ACSSU211)
Stage 2 Living World: Knowledge and ST2-4LW-S compares features and characteristics of living and
Living things can Understanding non-living things
be grouped on the
basis of observable
features and can be
distinguished from
non-living things.
(ACSSU044)
Living World: Living
things have life
cycles. (ACSSU072)
Living World: Living
things, including
plants and animals,
depend on each other
and the environment
to survive
(ACSSU073)
Creative Early Elements of Drama Appreciating DRAES1.4 Responds to dramatic experiences
Arts: Drama Stage 1
Drama Forms:
Puppetry
Stage 1 Elements of Drama Appreciating DRAS1.4 Appreciates dramatic work during the making of their
own drama and the drama of others.
Drama Forms:
Puppetry
Elements of Drama Appreciating DRAS2.4 Responds to, and interprets drama experiences and
performances
Drama Forms:
Puppetry
Learning Across The Curriculum
Australian curriculum Cross curriculum priorities Other important learning
general capabilities
Critical and creative thinking Sustainability Civics and citizenship
Ethical understanding Difference and diversity
Intercultural understanding Work and enterprise
Literacy
Personal and social capability
16Keep in touch Sydney Opera House Creative Learning Bennelong Point Sydney NSW 2000 Australia sydneyoperahouse.com Call us 02 9250 7770 or email creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com Connect with us Facebook /sydneyoperahouse Facebook Group Sydney Opera House for Teachers and Educators Instagram @sydneyoperahouse Twitter @sydoperahouse Tag #sydneyoperahouse
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