After the introductory sessions and 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 workshop suitable for more than one class is the first one.
Allow 25 minutes for each workshop with a 5 minute swap over time.
Remember lunch time organisation 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.
1. meet a writer (yrs nursery/rec - 6) is when I share how I put a story together for our sons when they were 4 and 6. I then read it with the original text, illustrations and props. Older children can afterwards compare the original story with the published one. This workshop can be for more than one class.
2. 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.
3. freeze frames using pictures (yrs 3-6) helps children talk about how characters might feel and react to different situations.
4. create stories using a story mat (yrs 1-6) is great for verbal editing and working together. Can be done in a classroom.
5. 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.
6. planning a story in 5 parts (yrs 4-6) for stories. Really good for those who respond to kinaesthetic learning. Can be done in a classroom. Needs white boards and pens.
7. 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.
8. non-fiction writing (yrs 1-6) looks at things people write in different places and situations. Needs white boards and pens.
9. visit a setting (yrs rec-1) where children work with finger puppets. Good for sharing ideas in a more formal situation than role play.
10. 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.
11. hot seating after dressing up (yrs rec-6) when individual children are dressed up and asked questions about who they are. Good for exploring characters. Can be done in a classroom.
12. look at props (nursery/rec) when I show children what the rest of the school have used as writing stimulus.
