What do I teach at the Beijing BISS International School?
I don’t teach English—yet literature is at the heart of my discipline.
I don’t teach History—although I encourage students to investigate the
social and historical implications of events and how they affect those with
whom we live.
I don’t teach Science—but introduce the analysis of human behavior,
society, and the natural world.
I don’t teach Math—yet evaluating structure, space, and change is a skill
constantly being developed.
I don’t teach the Visual Arts—although calling on the elements of form,
line, shape, color, texture, space, and value is commonplace.
I don’t teach a Foreign Language—but my students learn to decode and
encode dialogue in scripts and plays.
I don’t teach Music—yet rely on the elements of pitch, melody, harmony,
rhythm, dynamics, timbre, texture, and articulation to share this craft.
I don’t teach Technology—but foster the use of tools to control and adapt
to the work we do.
I don’t teach Physical Education— although working as part of a team
while making connections between cognitive functions and physical
movement is a major benefit of this process.
What do I teach at BISS?
I teach Drama.
by Catherine Rankin
Secondary School Drama and Theatre teacher
crankin@biss.com.cn
The Drama Department is designed to help students understand the nature of Drama and Theatre. Students learn to understand not only by studying it; to understand not only with their minds but with their bodies and their emotions. They will learn the forms it takes in cultures other than their own and through this understanding, to better understand themselves, their society and their world.
MYP Drama (Year 6-10) examines issues and knowledge through the exploration of a variety of Drama styles including Comedy, Tragedy, Clowning, Physical Theatre, Silent Films and Directing.
The Diploma Theatre programmes extends that knowledge through understanding of the world and Theatre's place in it. The Drama Department offers many opportunities to students to participate in the production and performance side of the Performing Arts.
Our students can be involved as dancers, actors, make-up artists, sound and lighting technicians, to name a few. Venture into the Drama Studio and be transported to another time, place or era - something that can only happen in Drama.
...
Music students at BISS learn to apply their knowledge and skills creatively through composing, performing and listening. They are engaged and chanllenged in every unit of study. They learn to evaluate themselves and others and continuously reflect upon their own development. BISS Music teaches students to listen deeply and to appreciate a wide variety of music which may be new to them.
The music courses at BISS have been designed with a whole-school approach to take students from early childhood and the PYP(K-5), though the MYP (Grade 6-10 ) to the IB Diploma (Grade 11-12 ). Students take Music as an elective subject from grade 9 onwards.
BISS offers students the opportunity to play or sing in after-school groups. Choir, Flute Ensemble, String Ensemble, Guitar Workshop and Rock Bands rehearse regularly and perform throughout the year. Also, students can learn instruments privately from visiting instrumental teachers.
Music Technology is embraced at BISS. Students use digital recording and editing equipment; music notation/ composing software; the midi (music instrument digital interface) equipment. Students and teachers are encouraged to use digital audio-visual technology on a daily basis to enhance learning at BISS.
Knowledge and skills learnt in music have positive benefits in many aspects of life. At BISS, we aim to provide students with this gift. ...
Students in this program are expected to investigate and understand the meaning of Art from various cultures. They examine social and historical contexts and experiment with various expressive visual qualities.
As they progress, they learn to create Artworks that reflect their own ideas and culture and they create works that have strong personal meanings. They plan their work with thoughtful application of the Art elements and principles and experiment with a variety of media and produce work that shows technical skill. The course culminates with an exhibition of the best of the student’s work and an interview with an external examiner.
Check out the artwork from our budding artists. We see lots of promise and creativity in their work and look forward to seeing their names among the other great artists in the world.
I Teach Drama - Catherine Rankin 
