Category Archives: Expressive Arts

Learning Experiences Catalogue now launched

Education Scotland has announced the launch of the Learning Experiences Catalogue which aims to develop a sustainable programme of relevant, engaging and challenging learning experiences for children and young people aged 3–15 within a broad general education.

Learning experiences have been designed to support children and young people to learn to create, collect, code, animate, bake, garden, build, tell stories all set within contexts and many of them are interdisciplinary.

The catalogue provides learners with a brief description of each learning experience which they can read or can be read to them by clicking the audio file beside the LearnCat icon. Graphics have been designed to support learners in understanding where the learning will take place, which curriculum areas they will learn within and who they will learn with. Educators are provided with more information about each learning experience and planning guidance.

Each academic term a new collection of learning experiences will be launched. The autumn collection of learning experiences will be live from September 2013.

Explore the Learning Experiences Catalogue today.

YMFS: Monthly Live Broadcast Discussion – Hit The Road

Wednesday 26 June, 2013 from 6:00 PM—7:30 PM

Google+ Link: http://bit.ly/YMFSjunestream

Join us for the second in a series of monthly live streamed broadcasts, led by Youth Music Forum Scotland using Google+ and Livestream, exploring current topics in youth music from all across the country.

This episode will feature guest Jamie Gilmour of the Scottish Music Centre, joining us live to discuss the exciting youth music project Hit The Road and how young acts can gain experience in the modern music scene and find their footing in live performance in this country.

Take part in the conversation live online where you can ask Jamie your questions on Hit The Road and find out all about what’s happening in youth music in Scotland this month.

The live stream discussion will run from 6.00—7.30pm on Wednesday 26 June.

To join in the debate fully, log in to your Google account. We encourage you to pose questions to Jamie Gilmour in advance of the event by emailing, hello@ymfs.org.uk or on Twitter (Twitter.com/YMFScot) using the hashtag #HitTheRoad or at Facebook.com/YMFScot or you can call the Inner Ear office and ask to speak with Benny or Anny, on 0141 226 8808. If you prefer you can join the Google+ hangout where you can talk directly on camera (using your computer’s in-built microphone and camera) and ask a question as if you were in the room. If you’re new to Google, we recommend you take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with Google+ from 6pm, where we’ll be on hand to help with any technical queries before the broadcast starts from 6:30pm.

If you’re able to join us live on Wednesday 29 June on Google+, please join the event or you can sign up via eventbrite.com.

Glow – the M-Factor

The M-Factor is an interdisciplinary project aimed at Midlothian pupils in the upper stages of primary school (P6 and P7).  This project uses the context of the pop music industry to combine a range of curricular areas that enable pupils to develop knowledge and skills.

The M-Factor challenges pupils to write and record a pop song and create an associated pop video.
Pupils, teachers and parents throughout Scotland can get involved by voting for their favourites and a daily top 10 chart will be produced.

Click here to find out more (Glow log-in required)

Join the ‘Commonwealth Class’

The BBC, the British Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat have joined forces to bring you Commonwealth Class, an exciting new opportunity for schools.

Commonwealth Class is a special initiative that provides teaching resources, online debates and interactive activities for schools to mark the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It celebrates the values of the Commonwealth and connects schools and young people as they learn about how to be active, responsible global citizens as part of the Commonwealth family.

The Commonwealth Class education pack is an exciting resource designed to teach young people about Commonwealth values such as rights and responsibilities, protection of the environment, respect for others and what people need to lead healthy lives free from poverty.
Produced by the British Council, the resource pack contains cross-curricular activities, short films and discussion guides with learning outcomes that link to key skills, curriculum subjects and Commonwealth values. Activities include what qualities you need to be a successful Commonwealth athlete, and an exploration of the route of the Queen’s Baton Relay which will visit all 71 countries and territories taking part in the 2014 games.

Get set for 2014 and download the British Council Commonwealth Class education pack today.

BBC online debates
Commonwealth Class partner, the BBC, is hosting a series of monthly online debates commencing this summer. The debates are intended to create a platform for schools in the UK and Commonwealth countries to teach and learn together.
The first debate in the series will take place on Thursday 13 June.
Visit Schools Online and sign up to Commonwealth Class for more resources and interactive activities that support lesson planning and teaching across the curriculum
And a week before the first debate you can visit the BBC’s Commonwealth Class website to find out how you can take part!

YMT’s course for writers and composers – submission deadline closing soon

Would you like to be the next Andrew Lloyd Webber or Stephen Sondheim?

YMT have an incredibly exciting opportunity for young people (aged 16-23) who are passionate about writing and/or composing.  Their week-long Young Writers and Composers Course is led by Olivier Award winning script-writer Stephen Clark (Martin Guerre, Zorro, Love Story and The Far Pavilions) and Arts Foundation award winning Conor Mitchell.

This course will take place at the start of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Fettes College, Edinburgh (pic above); thought to be the inspiration for J.K Rowlings’ Hogwarts.

Apply by completing the application form and submitting an example of your writing or music by 1 July 2013 –  course places are limited and a small group of writers and composers will be selected.

Contact richardcross@ymtuk.org to register your interest and for further information.

If you are selected onto the course, save £50 by quoting ‘ZORRO

Design a book cover competition for schools

The Design a Book Cover Competition is an exciting opportunity to showcase your pupils’ creative skills whilst encouraging them to engage with books and reading.  It’s open to all primary schools and it’s easy to take part.  There are two entry categories: P1 – P3 and P4 – P7 and there are prizes to be won for your school and pupils.  The closing date is Monday 3 July 2013.

Full details and the Entry Pack can be found on the competition website or by emailing michelle.mcleod@bailliegifford.com

Glow TV – War Horse – Exclusive Launch 11 June, 11.00 am

Glow TV is delighted to be able to host the Exclusive Launch on Tuesday 11th June at 11am!

War Horse is the theatrical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. At the heart of this awe-inspiring show are life-sized puppets which bring galloping, charging horses to life on stage. Now you are invited to a unique opportunity to meet one of these truly remarkable puppets up close at an exclusive launch event.

You are invited to see the central character, Joey, in action and discover first-hand how these “living, breathing steeds” are created and brought to life in what has become one of the most anticipated theatrical productions in years.

Joining us will be Finn Caldwell of Handspring Puppet Company and Associate Puppetry Director for War Horse, and Stephen Rebbeck (Managing Director for War Horse around the world)

The exhilarating story of a young man’s journey to find his beloved horse Joey, against the backdrop of World War One, is an incredibly powerful production. It’s a spectacle you need to see to believe!

Click here to sign up for this event.