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 notes for teachers, 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)
New for 2011-2012!
First Ideas to First Editions
A new writing workshop from Chris Connaughton
‘No other theatre company offers schools the range and quality of work that Intext does.’
- Head Teacher, Lumley Junior School
‘A must-have!’ – George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh
Aimed at Y5 and 6 (a slightly different format can be arranged for Y4)
Chris leads the class on a journey of ideas – and shares writing techniques that can sometimes help when the ideas just won’t come.
Using the notebooks of his popular ‘Beltheron’ novels as a starting point, he discusses the process of
developing a story through to a completed book. The workshop encourages the children to develop their ideas, search for the best vocabulary,
and to think about style, character and story development.
He gives a performance of rehearsed readings from his books, followed by a question and answer session.
Chris will then set a writing activity and visit all of the classes involved offering advice and support, and setting extra writing challenges.
Alongside creating imaginative writing through individual and group work, these sessions will also
focus on raising boys’ achievement in literacy by encouraging reading, and building confidence through in-role Q&A with the author.
Chris will bring complimentary copies of the books for the school library.
Children will also have the opportunity to buy personally signed copies at a discounted cost.
Find out more about the Beltheron books, and buy copies here.
‘If you want one of the best reads ever, just read the Beltheron books.’ – Ben, aged 10
Warning, you won’t be able to stop reading!’ – Lewis, aged 10
‘My son wouldn’t pick up a book before, but he can’t put yours down. Thank you for introducing him to reading.’
– Parent/teacher at Portsmouth Grammar School
Workshop Exercises Include:
What happens next? Chris will leave the reading at a cliffhanger ending so that the class can come up with
the next section or chapter.Write a blurb limited to only 50 words, can you write an advertising blurb for the back of
his book? Or for one of your own stories?
The best paragraph EVER! Using techniques such as ‘The Magic If’, and ‘Emotion Memory’ Chris guides the class
through the process of crafting a suspenseful opening for a story.
‘Writing is re-writing’ Using his own experience as an example, Chris shows how the first draft is hardly ever the best,
and how to develop ideas to improve any piece of work.
Author Q&A The children are encouraged to become reporters, to interview the writer about his work and techniques.
It is anticipated that there will be plenty of work in progress to continue after the visit.
‘Getting Y6 motivated at this time of year is extremely difficult and the work has now lasted all week.
A thousand thanks.’ – Redby Primary School
Still Available Throughout 2011 - 2012
All of the following 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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