While children are beavering away in their classrooms I lead workshops with individual classes. I have tried doing these with more than 35 children but although everyone gets to work with the visitor, the children do not gain as much as they could.
The only workshops really suitable for more than one class are numbers 3 (creating stories using a story mat) and 10 (meet a writer).
Allow 25 minutes for each workshop with a 5 minute swap over time.
Remember lunch time organisation (before and after feeding time) if I am working in the hall. Workshops that can successfully be achieved in classrooms are noted below.
I am happy to choose workshops for you. They can be changed at the last minute - as long as I have the right props with me.
1. hot seating using pictures (yrs 2-6) is good for speaking & listening as well as adding depth to characterisation. Can be done in a classroom.
2. freeze frames using pictures (yrs 3-6) helps children talk about how characters might feel and react to different situations.
3. create stories using a story mat (yrs 1-6) is great for verbal editing and working together. Can be done in a classroom.
4. generate story ideas (yrs 2-6) by combining pictures of unusual characters and quirky settings. Good for generating unexpected ideas to make stories interesting. Can be done in a classroom.
5. planning a story in 5 parts (yrs 5-6) for stories. Really good for those who respond to kinaesthetic learning. Can be done in a classroom. Needs white boards and pens.
6. stair case poetry (yrs 2-6) sees children putting words together to create a simple poem. Good for less able who need to scaffold. Can be done in a classroom.
7. non-fiction writing (yrs 1-6) looks at things people write in different places and situations. Good for non-fiction and revisiting why people write. Needs white boards and pens.
8. visit a setting (yrs rec-1) where children work with finger puppets. Good for sharing ideas in a more formal situation than role play.
9. hot seating by becoming a brain (yrs 4-6) based on De Bono’s hats. Good for adding depth to characterisation. Can be done in a classroom.
10. meet a writer (yrs rec-6) and find out how this one puts a story together. I read one fo my stories as well. Can be done in a classroom. This workshop can also be suitable for up to 4 classes at one time and is great at the end of the day.
11. hot seating after dressing up (yrs rec-2) when individual children are dressed up and asked questions about who they are. Good for exploring characters. Can be done in a classroom.
