All posts by S. Bullock

Colleges, Dance, Early Learning, Health and Wellbeing, Primary, Secondary

YDance – CPD opportunities still available!

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  • DANCE FOR CORE PE
  • NATIONAL 5 DANCE
  • INCLUSIVE DANCE PRACTICE DAY
  • DANCE FOR NURSERY EDUCATION

 

DANCE FOR CORE PE

With a focus on Contemporary and Streetdance styles learn how to warm up your pupils, play creative dance games, teach a simple sequence, develop a sequence, use stimulus to create dance material and encourage the participants to develop their confidence, creativity and co-operation skills. These sessions also address some of the CfE Health and Wellbeing outcomes.

Friday 29 May, 9.30am to 4pm at Mad Studios – £85 (Look out for our special discount codes or recommend a friend)

NATIONAL 5 DANCE

This SQA qualification requires students to study 2 different dance styles and choreography to achieve this national qualification. Choose from the options listed below to build your own National 5 Dance course:

Contemporary – Mon 11 May Jazz – Tue 12 May Hip-hop – Wed 13 May Choreography – Thu 14 May

Individual Costs – £85

YDance National 5 Package – £285

(includes 2 dance style days, the Choreography day and a copy of the Choreographic DVD resource)

Each of these sessions take place at Mad Studios from 9.30am to 4pm (Mad Studios, 13 Main Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3AJ)

 

INCLUSIVE DANCE PRACTICE DAY

Develop your teaching skills for delivering dance with children and young people with additional support needs in this one day course:

  1. Methods of inclusive practice
  2. Creative ideas for pupils with and without additional support needs
  3. Planning & structuring a lesson plan / creative workshop

Wednesday 29 April, 9.30am to 3.30pm – £85 (Look out for our discounts or recommend a friend for 10% off)

DANCE FOR NURSERY EDUCATION

Develop your teaching skills for delivering dance with early years children:

  1. Creative ideas for dance classes inspired by stories and topics
  2. Planning and structuring a lesson plan / creative workshop
  3. Using props and music

Thursday 28 May, 9.30am to 3.30pm – £85 (Look out for our discounts or recommend a friend and receive 10% off)

Dance, Early Learning, Music, Primary

Imaginate Festival – dance for early learning and 6+

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With less than 4 weeks to go until this year’s Imaginate Festival, we thought you may like to know a little bit more about some of the gems we have in store for you and your family and, as always, the rare opportunity to see some of the best international theatre and dance performances made especially for young audiences. From Denmark The Gold Digger from Teatret Møllen (for 10 + years) Laced with live blue-grass music, songs and stories, The Gold Digger tells the tale of urban legend, Laust Eriksen and his fellow gold diggers who travel to America in search of gold and the dream of a better life.

  • “The Gold Digger is a performance you will want to see twice.” Jydske Vestkysten

From the Netherlands

Dream City (Droomstad) from De Dansers (for 6 + years) De Dansers excel in creating the most stunning and invigorating dance and live music. Join them for a roller-coaster ride of a show that will have you bouncing in your seat!

  • “A fabulous, exciting and fast-moving mix of rock concert and dance performance” Panopikum Festival Nurnberg

And from Scotland We Dance, wee groove from Stillmotion A dance experience like no other for 6 months – 5 year olds. Made especially for the very young dancer (and we all know one of those), take the floor with your own special moves as you join the musical journey around the world and into space. Think Salsa meets Hip-Hop, think Scotland meets space…

  • “We Dance, wee groove is crammed with all kinds of motivational/developmental stuff that tots thrive on, what makes it a winner is the feel good factor that it uncorks…” The Herald

Hup from Starcatchers and RSNO A relaxed and comfortable performance made especially for babies, Hup features a quirky quartet of playful musicians creating an enchanting classical music experience for 0 – 2 year olds and their families.

  • “The shows are not about creating mini-Mozarts or baby Bachs of the future, but are about boosting early child development and close bonding” STV News

 

So, if you have a blossoming dancer or musician in your family, why not give their imagination wings and join us for some of the best dance and music Europe has to offer! But, hurry as tickets are selling fast! Tickets are available from the Traverse Theatre Box Office: 0131 228 1404 or at www.traverse.co.uk For more information on the full programme on offer, including trailers, click here. We look forward to welcoming you to the Imaginate Festival 2015 and hope you have a wonderful time! Best wishes The Imaginate Team

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Early Learning, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Failing in Education: a conversation

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A one day event exploring risk and failure within the education system

 

Failing is an essential part of learning but does our education system provide authentic learning environments that thrive on risk, experimentation and failure?

West Lothian Creative Learning Network and Hidden Giants invite you to spend a day exploring failure and how it manifests within our education system.   The day will bring together examples of prototype learning conceived by creative practitioners, teachers and classes from across West Lothian.  We will also hear from education specialist ‘The Real’ David Cameron.

The event will take place at Howden Park Centre, Livingston on Friday 12th June.

The event will start with registration from 9.00am will run from 9.30am until 2.30pm, lunch will be provided. This event is open to anyone who has an interest in today’s education system. Please see more information below and to book your FREE ticket please use the link below to go to Brown Paper Tickets:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1557056

 

Over the last 8 months West Lothian CLN and Hidden Giants have collaborated with the James Young High cluster to explore risk and failure within learning and teaching.  The schools have established dangerous partnerships with 4 creative practitioners to unsettle comfort zones, intensify risk taking behaviour, and disrupt the norm.

 

The four groups have created experiments exploring risk within their context:  a nursery, P3 class, P6 class and the CDT department in the secondary.  Through these experiments the schools explored their own ‘risk thresholds’ and are ready to share them.

 

If you’ve ever failed in education or feel that education is failing then we invite you to join us at Howden Park Centre on Friday 12th June.  It might fail, in fact, if it doesn’t, we’ll be disappointed.

 

West Lothian CLN and Hidden Giants

 

The event is part of the Emporium of Dangerous Ideas http://www.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/fodi/festival-of-dangerous-ideas  and is supported by Education Scotland and Creative Scotland.

 

 

If you would like any more information please do not hesitate to get in touch, my contact details are below. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Regards

Fiona

 

Fiona Macfarlane

Arts Officer (Learning)

West Lothian Council

Community Arts

Howden Park Centre

Howden

Livingston

EH54 6AE

 

Tel :01506 773873

Email: fiona.macfarlane2@westlothian.gov.uk

www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk

www.linlithgowburghhalls.co.uk

 

Research and Strategy

Character, Culture and Values international conference

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Character, Culture and Values is an international conference hosted by Character Scotland and partners in University of Glasgow on 15th and 16th June 2015. It will be the first event of its kind in Scotland, designed to explore the continuing global shift towards character and values-based education and to examine what this could mean for us in Scotland.

 

The event has been curated by the charity’s Executive Officer, Gary Walsh, with the support of an advisory group involving Education Scotland, GTCS, SQA, Improvement Service/COSLA, Scottish Youth Parliament, Keep Scotland Beautiful, CBI Scotland, Investors in People, University of Glasgow and the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue in University of Birmingham. Keynote speakers include Dr Avis Glaze, Prof Marvin Berkowitz, the Bishopbriggs Community Ambassadors and social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn. There are many other speakers taking part in the programme of seminars and workshops.

 

The target audience includes those with an interest in education, youth and community work, policy, research, business and enterprise. Registration for the event comes at a grant-subsidised fee of £90 for full registration or £50 for day registration. Topics for discussion include: how and if we should design education to be more about character attributes and values; how to involve and empower children, young people, parents and communities in character and values development; how education and youth work can collaborate on character education; the relationship between ‘soft’ skills, attitudes and attributes for work and enterprise; and an exploration of possibilities with regard to the assessment and recognition of character attributes and values.

 

The ambition of the conference organisers is to have representation at the event from as many Local Authority areas in Scotland as possible and they would therefore very much appreciate your support in sharing details of the event. Please encourage your colleagues to attend by forwarding this email along with the attached brochure, directing them to www.character.scot/conference for further details and online registration. Any questions can be directed to gary.walsh@character-scotland.org.uk.

Secondary, Social Studies, Technologies

My Journey to 2025 – S1 to S6 competition to imagine the world in a decade

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A competition for young people to consider your world in a decade – and what you might be doing in it. The aim is to consider your journey – whatever ‘pathway’ you might follow – and how education, training and your wider experience will help you in realising this ambition.

https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/download/my-2025-0

We are asking you to be creative – allowing for written essays, blogs, You Tube-style videos, music, drama or visual art submissions. This collection of voices will provide a powerful insight into how you and other young people are viewing your experience within the changed educational landscape.

We want to know:

 

  • Where do you see yourself in 2025?
  • How will you be contributing to a successful Scotland? Or do you see yourself further afield?
  • How do you see your learner journey, training and wider experiences getting you there?
  • How could education or opportunities best support you in realising such ambition?
  • How might the choices you make now affect your future?

 

When it comes to submissions there are no specific rules, you can be as imaginative as you want:

  • A blog/vlog
  • You Tube videos
  • Piece of writing
  • Art work (Just photo your piece(s) of work to share electronically)
  • You can work alone or in a team

To name but a few, all ideas are welcome!

 

There will be two categories:

  • S1 to S3
  • S4 to S6

 

Deadline for submissions is 1 July 2015.

 

We have provided a poster for you to use and more information can be found on our website at www.heacademy.ac.uk/My2025. If you require anything further please contact HEAScotland@heacademy.ac.uk

Additional Support for Learning, Colleges, Dance, Early Learning, Primary, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

YDance – range of CPD opportunities

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  • DANCE FOR CORE PE
  • NATIONAL 5 DANCE
  • NATIONAL PROGRESSION AWARD IN DANCE (SCQF Level 4)
  • HIGHER DANCE
  • INCLUSIVE DANCE PRACTICE DAY
  • DANCE FOR NURSERY EDUCATION

 

DANCE FOR CORE PE

With a focus on Contemporary and Streetdance styles learn how to warm up your pupils, play creative dance games, teach a simple sequence, develop a sequence, use stimulus to create dance material and encourage the participants to develop their confidence, creativity and co-operation skills. These sessions also address some of the CfE Health and Wellbeing outcomes.

Friday 29 May, 9.30am to 4pm at Mad Studios – £85 (Look out for our special discount codes or recommend a friend)

 

NATIONAL 5 DANCE

This SQA qualification requires students to study 2 different dance styles and choreography to achieve this national qualification. Choose from the options listed below to build your own National 5 Dance course:

Contemporary – Mon 11 May Jazz – Tue 12 May Hip-hop – Wed 13 May Choreography – Thu 14 May

Individual Costs – £85

YDance National 5 Package – £285

(includes 2 dance style days, the Choreography day and a copy of the Choreographic DVD resource)

Each of these sessions take place at Mad Studios from 9.30am to 4pm (Mad Studios, 13 Main Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3AJ)

NATIONAL PROGRESSION AWARD IN DANCE (SCQF Level 4)

This SQA qualification requires students to study 2 different dance styles and choreography to achieve the award. Choose from the options listed below to build your own NPA Dance course:

Contemporary – Tue 5 May Jazz – Wed 6 May Choreography – Thu 7 May Classical (Ballet) – Fri 8 May Alternative (Hip-hop) – Fri 15 May

Individual Costs – £85

YDance NPA Package – £225

(includes 2 dance style days and the Choreography day)

Each of these sessions takes place at Mad Studios from 9.30am to 4pm

HIGHER DANCE

This SQA qualification requires students to study 2 contrasting dance styles and choreography to achieve this national qualification. Choose from the options listed below to build your own Higher Dance course.

Contemporary – Mon 18 May + Wed 20 May (am) Jazz – Tue 19 May + Wed 20 May (pm) Hip-hop – Tue 26 May + Wed 27 May (am) Choreography – Thu 21 May + Fri 22 May

Individual Costs – £85

YDance Higher Dance Package – £450

(This includes 2 dance style courses (1.5 days each), the 2 day Choreography course and a copy of the Choreographic DVD resource)

One and a half days are allocated to each style to allow time for technique class, exploration of sequences and support to develop a centre set performance solo, meeting the outcomes set out in the Higher Dance Performance unit. Two days are allocated for Choreography to cover the Higher Dance Practice Activity Assessment requirements and to demonstrate the progression through the learning outcomes.

All sessions take place at Mad Studios 13 Main Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3AJ

INCLUSIVE DANCE PRACTICE DAY

Develop your teaching skills for delivering dance with children and young people with additional support needs in this one day course:

  1. Methods of inclusive practice
  2. Creative ideas for pupils with and without additional support needs
  3. Planning & structuring a lesson plan / creative workshop

Wednesday 29 April, 9.30am to 3.30pm – £85 (Look out for our discounts or recommend a friend for 10% off)

 

DANCE FOR NURSERY EDUCATION

Develop your teaching skills for delivering dance with early years children:

  1. Creative ideas for dance classes inspired by stories and topics
  2. Planning and structuring a lesson plan / creative workshop
  3. Using props and music

Thursday 28 May, 9.30am to 3.30pm – £85 (Look out for our discounts or recommend a friend and receive 10% off)

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Dance, Primary, Secondary

YDance Update and inclusive dance practice training

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This month we had a great time delivering LeaderFest and Jump In and we’ve got two great new courses for dance teachers, students & recent graduates.

 

 

LeaderFest Success… 

Over 100 Dance Leaders from 14 local authorities flocked to Edinburgh College last weekend to take part in LeaderFest.

 

We put this event together to celebrate all of the Dance Leaders in Scotland who have achieved an Award in Dance Leadership through the YDance Active project.

 

We organised a full day of dance with Waacking, Fosse and Swing dance workshops, inspiring performances by – Ihayami Fusion, Mini Jackers, The Honeys and the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland, and even an Awards ceremony to celebrate those Dance Leaders who have shown outstanding Leadership skills.

 

The event ended with a mass Flashmob performance by all.  Watch it here.

 

#YDanceActive
Dance Students & Recent Graduates… 

Are you a dance student or recent graduate? Or perhaps a dance teacher? Then take a look at the Teaching Dance Artist course we’re running for you.

 

This two day course is perfect for final year students and graduates and covers the following:

– Curriculum for Excellence dance outcomes

– Teaching methodologies

– Health & Safety in practice

– Fundamentals of dance in education

– Games & tasks to use

– Planning & structuring a lesson

 

Spaces on this course are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

 

Details –

3 & 4 June 2015

£150 or (£120 with a valid student card)

Book your place

 

 

Jump In… 

We were thrilled to deliver the first Jump In performance of 2015 at the Lochgelly Centre in Fife.

 

Our dance tutors spent weeks working with classes from 6 different primary schools in Fife to create an outstanding performance by all. Parents, relatives and friends filled the auditorium to see 6 fun and unique performances created around a ‘Position in Space’ theme.   We delivered this particular performance in partnership with Fife Youth Arts Hub and are now running weekly dance sessions at the Lochgelly Centre for young people in primaries 4 – 7 and aged 12 – 18. Sign-up & join in

 

We created Jump In to develop youth dance activities in areas with limited provision for young people aged 7 – 11.  The project is funded by the Creative Scotland Time to Shine fund.
Inclusive Dance Practice Day… 

We’re delivering another great course for dance practitioners who want to expand their knowledge and develop their teaching skills for delivering dance with children and young people with additional support needs.

 

This one day course covers:

– Methods of inclusive practice

– Creative ideas for pupils with and without

additional support needs

– Planning & structuring a lesson plan and/or

creative workshop

 

Spaces on this course are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

 

Details –

Wednesday 29 April 2015

9.30am – 3.30pm

MAD Studios, Coatbridge

£85 per course

Book your place

 

In other news…

 

Our friends at The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland are currently offering £2.50 tickets for young people under 25.  Check out the upcoming dates and where to book – 

NYOS Symphony Orchestra Glasgow & Dundee Concerts

Tue 7 April – City Halls, Glasgow – Book Now

Wed 8 April – Caird Hall, Dundee – Book Now

 

Senior Orchestra 2015 Perth Concert

Mon 13 April – Perth Concert Hall – Book Now

 

Community Learning and Development, Music, Primary, Secondary

Big Big Sing: new songs and launch of the Choir Doctor

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It’s an exciting day for Big Big Sing: new songs, our annual report and the launch of the Choir Doctor! We can’t wait to tell you all about it…

http://www.bigbigsing.org/songbook/

We’ve just added 5 new songs to the Big Big Songbook, and we’re sure you’re going to love them. These new songs celebrate iconic female singers and songwriters and with gospel to folk, world, pop and roots there’s something for everyone. Listen (and sing along) here.

ANNUAL REPORT Our annual report is up online. We’ve told the story of our first Big Big year and packed it full of wonderful photos and quotes from Big Big singers – take a look, you may spot yourself! We’ve also included information on an innovative research project we’ve got planned, based on our belief in the power of singing to change lives. View it here.

CHOIR DOCTOR The Choir Doctor a national educational initiative, specially designed by us to help you keep your community choirs healthy and happy. Over the next 6 months we’ll be releasing lots of fab resources for you to access online for free but we need YOUR help to make them. We’re looking for 4 choirs to star in films alongside our Choir Doctors. Interested? Sign up here.

We’re looking forward to singing the new songs with you at our upcoming events, next up – London’s Southbank Centre on 5 April. And it’s FREE! Don’t forget to get your tickets for Big Big Sing Days at: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 16 May Edinburgh Usher Hall, 17 May Aberdeen Music Hall, 30 May Dundee Caird Hall, 31 May

See you there, Big Big Sing Team

Colleges, Research and Strategy

Office Surfing – experimenting and exchanging workplaces

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 surf

Office Surfing 

The Dangerous Idea …

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a very different environment from your usual workplace? Would you like to try it out and become an office surfer?  Would you like your organisation to Host and office surf?  Would you like to meet people from other professions and sectors? What? … Spend some time in a different work environment, doing your work or work as a host, welcoming a surfer to experience your working environment.

Why? … 

 

Two reasons (among many!):

  1. To become more aware of the physical work environment, and the effect it has on your work.  Does your workplace help you to be creative?  How is the new environment different?  What about it is helpful?  Any ideas you could take back and implement in your own workplace?
  2. To meet new people and have interesting conversations.  The random coffee scheme that was organised by Education Scotland has put hundreds of people together for interesting conversations, and ideas have grown out of it.

Benefits?

 

As a Surfer you get:

  • the chance to see what working in a different environment feels like, and how it suits – or doesn’t – your work and your style
  • to benchmark your own work-space against the one you are visiting, and against best practice, and come away with ideas for improvement.

As a Host you get:

  • feedback on your work environment from a fresh pairs of eyes, based on rigorous research rather than just personal preference

You both get and interesting and unexpected connection.

 

The Emporium of Dangerous Ideas gets:

  • stories, photos and videos from surfers and hosts about their experiences
  • the assessment of what makes a creative environment
  • lots of great learning to share

Results of the office surf will be shown at the Emporium Finale in an exhibition of creative change.  This will take place on Friday 19 June 2015 view programme and book online. If this sounds like a Dangerous Idea that you would like to be a part of, please contact Dawn Brooks dawn.brooks@cdn.ac.uk for more information on how to take part.  Any responses should be in by Thursday 30 April 2015.