Art Forms Literacy

Whether you're looking to bring a story to life or find fresh ways to engage reluctant readers and writers, these resources are a great place to start. No specialist arts background needed — just a willingness to try something a little different.

The literacy-focused courses and activities on ARTS:LIVE use the arts as a doorway into reading, writing, speaking and listening. You'll find activities that use drama to explore characters in a class novel, visual art to respond to picture books, music to inspire creative writing, and storytelling through dance and movement.

For children, this kind of learning builds confidence with language in ways that feel natural and enjoyable. It encourages them to find their own voice, experiment with ideas, and communicate with greater fluency and imagination — whether through words, images, or performance.

We've previewed all the courses and activities on ARTS:LIVE so you can take a look at what's on offer. Get exploring today and register for free to unlock the creative possibilities waiting in every story!

View Courses

Explore all courses

5 × 45 minute lessons

How To Create A Storyboard

Collection:

Making Media Easy
Years 3-8, Secondary
Storyboarding is a way of telling a story through pictures. You write a story, break it down into simple actions, and then draw it in pictures. You also think about which shot type will best capture the information you want to convey in a scene. By using the Storyboard Template, you complete the first stage involved in making a film or animation.

Get Started
9 × 45 minute lessons

Genre-nators

Collection:

Manipulating Digital Media
Years 8-10, Secondary
Genre-nators introduces you to the way in which film and television genres work to satisfy audience expectations and emotions. Learn how filmmakers manipulate production elements and techniques. Explore the creative process to create a group-devised film.

Get Started
2 × 45 minute lessons

Shapeshifting Stories

Collection:

Story Starters
Years 1-6
Shapeshifting Stories provides you with a few handy tips and techniques to create compelling and dramatic stories. With the help of superhero show-off Frostica and the trainee warlock Solpadon, you will learn the fundamentals of story building - who, what, how and where.

Get Started
8 × 45 minute lessons

Passionate Podcasting

Collection:

Media Techniques
Years 7-8, Secondary
Passionate Podcasting introduces you to the form and conventions of podcasting, and shows you how to undertake market research to help you create your own audio podcast for a specific audience.

Get Started
4 × 45 minute lessons

Story Building

Collection:

Story Starters
3-5 Year Olds, Years 1-3
Story Building is an immersive drama activity that requires you to think creatively and bring ideas to life in an imaginary surrounding.

Get Started
10 × 45 minute lessons

Shocko Doco

Collection:

Media Techniques
Years 5-10, Secondary
Shocko Doco introduces you to the concept of video interviewing. You will see the common mistakes that are made and consider ways to fix them. You will then start planning and eventually shooting your own video interview.

Get Started
7 × 45 minute lessons

Create a Photostory

Collection:

Story Starters
3-5 Year Olds, Years 1-6
Learn how to create stories using photos. Create a Photostory will show you how to change the meaning of a story by rearranging the photo order. You will also learn to plan and make your own photostory using a digital camera.

Get Started
9 x 45 minute lessons

Visual Storytelling

Collection:

Story Starters
Years 2-6
Visual storytelling is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, enlisting a range of mediums including song, dance, theatre, mime, craft, sign language and visual arts. Explore a range of ways to bring your story to life with the use of visual mediums such as picture storybooks.

Get Started
5 × 45 minute lessons

Design a Magazine Cover

Collection:

Media Techniques
Years 3-4
Examine how magazine covers are designed to attract attention by using colour, fonts, words and images that appeal to their target audience. Plan and lay out your own magazine cover based on a topic of your choice.

Get Started
8 x 45 minute lessons

Write Way to the Top

Collection:

Music Industry Insight
Years 7-10, Secondary
Two contemporary Australian songwriters, Helen Croome (aka Gossling) and Henry Wagons, share their ideas on inspiration, meaning and how to finish that song! Let them inspire you to write your own song and perform it.

Get Started
8 x 45 minute lessons

Own The Stage

Collection:

Music Industry Insight
Years 5-10, Secondary
This resource helps students develop their songwriting ability and a deeper understanding of the role of the music industry in supporting and marketing musicians. Performance footage from the Bush Bands Bash Festival and interviews with contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bands, Rayella and Yipirinya School Band are used as a stimulus to explore different cultural perspectives.

Get Started
6 x 45 minute lessons

Get Your Music Out There

Collection:

Music Industry Insight
Years 7-10, Secondary
How do you get your music heard? Find out how to become part of the music industry from those inside it. Two contemporary performers and a record label owner guide you through ways to market yourself and find an audience.

Get Started