Plays and Literacy Workshops for Upper Key Stage 2
These projects can form either a full, or a half day visit, depending on your requirements. All are supported by teacher's notes, sent out in advance, to enable you to make the most of the visit. The performances themselves all last between 50 - 60 minutes followed by a number of writing activities led by the actor back in the classrooms.
Maximum: 4 classes (up to 120 children)
Recommended: 2 - 3 classes (60 - 90 children)
All of these performances and workshops have been extremely well received by children and teachers alike. It is anticipated that there will be enough activity to fill the whole school day (if required).
Ideally the visits end with a plenary session, where all of the classes involved can share some of the work that has been produced.
Robinson Crusoe
An actor has been touring in a play about Robinson Crusoe. Now he is on his way home, but is stranded in an airport at the far side of the world.
He begins to tell the classic story and talks to the audience about himself and his family at home. As he gradually reveals not only the tale of the famous castaway, but also the story of his own life, we realise that there are many similarities between the actor and Crusoe himself...
WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
A journal entry to describe your first day on the island.
A message in a bottle with a letter for loved ones at home.
Designing a detailed labelled map of the island.
Suitability: Y5 and Y6.
Book 'Robinson Crusoe' for your school.
Good Morning Mr Dickens!
The famous writer - still only 26 but already the author of two famous novels - presents stories full of pathos, humour and intrigue, including an account of the production of the early chapters of his new novel Nicholas Nickleby!
Hearing of the injustices carried out in some of the notorious 'Yorkshire Schools' where boys were dreadfully treated, Charles Dickens has been inspired to create a story which will outrage the opinions of the general public and hopefully lead to a demand for reform.
The production was originally devised by Paul Harman and Chris Connaughton at CTC Theatre.
WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
A descriptive story, written against a deadline, about a journey through the Victorian streets.
A letter home, persuading a parent to collect you from the "Yorkshire School".
A polemic piece of writing on a topic of current concern.
Suitability: Y5 and Y6 in particular have found this project to be accessible and useful.
Lewis Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland
In a one-man recital performance, Chris Connaughton's playful acting brings to life all our favourite characters, from the languid Caterpillar to the Dormouse and the Mad March Hare, the White Rabbit and the ever polite Alice.
We are also introduced to Lewis Carroll's main inspiration, Alice Liddell, who, not satisfied with just hearing these stories, urged him to "write them down in a book".
The original production was created by Chris Connaughton and Paul Harman at CTC Theatre and has already delighted audiences in Schools, Arts Centres and Theatre Festivals up and down the country.
Suitability: Y4 and Y5 in particular have found this project rewarding and useful.
WORKSHOP FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE
Literacy exercises and storytelling games linked to the performance concentrate on adjective work, developing story writing, and sharing ideas.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
• Making lists of 'ch' words used in the performance.
• Describing a character using only 2 key adjectives
• Working in groups to produce an original story, using a given series of words from the Alice story.
• Writing a Rebus Letter. (substituting words for pictures)
• Using "The Mouse's Tale" as an example we will create our own Shape poems, or Emblematic Verse.
Book 'Adventures in Wonderland' for your school.
Chris Connaughton also provides dramatised readings, Q&A sessions and author's workshops based on his own novels
for Upper Key Stage 2. Find out more at www.thebeltheronpathway.com
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