Category Archives: Health and Wellbeing

Out to Play Teacher CPD Opportunities & Resources this Autumn

Following on from a successful Out to Play pilot project in 2015, winner of the Glasgow City Council Environmental Initiative Award 2016, Eco Drama will run a series of 7 week creative outdoor learning residencies this autumn with 4 primary schools, marking the beginning of a 4 year project in 25 primary schools and nurseries across Greater Glasgow.

Out to Play is a creative learning project in which Drama Artists collaborate with partner Primary Schools and Nurseries to explore the role of Drama, Storytelling and Theatre in Outdoor Learning. The project seeks to facilitate interaction with the natural world through quality artistic experiences, re-thinking traditional views of nature and noticing and appreciating nature on our doorstep. Sessions are tailored to the unique surroundings of each school, and through imaginative play and adventurous learning, Out to Play aims to deepen young people’s connection to our natural world.

Out to Play Teacher CPD Opportunities 2017

As part of the project, Eco Drama are delivering Teacher CPD sessions, which were a popular element of the 2015 pilot project and which may be of interest in engaging teachers from your school in outdoor learning.

Eco Drama will be running an after school twilight CPD session on Wednesday 27th September at Dalmarnock Primary School, delivered by Ben Mali Macfadyen, the Drama Artist who delivered the Out to Play pilot project in 2015 and who led on the creation of the Eco Drama Out to Play Resource Pack. Additional CPD dates will likely be added on Tuesday 26th and/or 28th September.

During the session, teachers will explore how to integrate outdoor learning into the school curriculum and how to utilize creative learning methods such as drama, storytelling, song and movement in order to engage learners with the natural environment. Participating teachers will also leave with an Out to Play Outdoor Learning Resource Pack.

 Reviews: “I hadn’t realised the power of imagination within outdoor learning. Really informative session, lots of ideas to start with. Thank you.” Irene Boyle, Corpus Christi Primary

“Best CPD event I have been to in ages.” Catriona Brown, Battlefield Primary

“Excellent ideas and superb resource which I intend to use ASAP.” Ellie Henderson, Knightswood Primary

The cost is £45 per teacher, which includes the Out to Play Resource Pack (usual retail cost £16). Each CPD event is limited to 20 attendees and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

At the moment Eco Drama are gathering notes of interest from teachers who would like to attend this CPD event.  If this is of interest to your school, please email nina@ecodrama.co.uk detailing how many teachers you would send and confirming if the 26th, 27th or 28th September would be suitable.

Alternatively, Eco Drama could visit your school with a dedicated CPD session for all of your teachers to attend. If this option is of interest, please get in touch with emily@ecodrama.co.uk / 0141 552 9920 to discuss.

“A wonderful experience for the children and myself. A fresh look on how to develop Outdoor Learning in a more creative manner. Fantastic experience.” Tommy Hynes, Teacher, Corpus Christi Primary, participating school in pilot project 2015

Website: www.ecodrama.co.uk  Twitter: @EcoDrama1
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1lFBjDg

Short film about Out to Play 2015: https://vimeo.com/141887997

Eco Drama – Schools Tour 2017

ECO_DRAMA_SIDE_MONSTER_LRG_for_use_on_white

Magic Van on Islay Original

Spring/Summer 2017 Tour

Welcome to our Spring/Summer 2017 Scotland Tour bringing The Worm – An Underground Adventure and Recycling Heroes to primary schools across Scotland. Each workshop and production links directly with the Curriculum for Excellence whilst also supporting your pupils to explore Eco Schools topics through exciting theatre productions and interactive workshops. For more information, click on the pictures below or get in touch with:

Julie Aitken, Schools Coordinator, at schools@ecodrama.co.uk!

Recycling Heroes

Worm illustration RGB for web

 

 

Show Racism the Red Card – creative competition

The Show Racism the Red Card creative competition is now open. This year the theme for the competition is ‘Scotland for All’.

 

 

 

 

 

It could be:

·            Artwork

·            Poetry

·            Short Story

·            Creative writing

·            Music

·            Dance/Drama performance

·            Research project

·            Multimedia presentation

 

In fact it could be anything that is creative, inspirational and stimulated by an anti-racism or anti-sectarianism message.

The competition is an opportunity for young people to make a stand against racism. 2016 has been an exciting year for Show Racism the Red Card marking the 20th anniversary of the charity in the UK. After many years working to combat racism they are looking for young people to come up with an entry for their competition that celebrates a Scotland for All. Please see the website for more details.

http://www.theredcard.org/educational/competitions/scotland?dm_i=LQE,4KNKU,KX1ATA,GZ2IH,1

 

Lost At Sea – Catherine Wheels – school bookings for January-April 2017 now available

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company will be back in schools in spring 2017 as part of the Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.

‘Lost at Sea’ was commissioned by the Edinburgh International Science Festival and is suitable for P5-7.

A science resource pack is also planned by EISF linking to the themes of oceans and environment.

The attached contains further information including Curriculum links.

Dates are 30th January – 30 April (not 13th – 26th March)

Costs are £365 / £600 + VAT for one/two show days with maximum audience of 120 per performance.

A trailer can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/179214011

Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss how this could work in your school.

All the best,

Anna

Anna Derricourt

Touring & Schools Development Manager

Pondlife – Catherine Wheels Theatre Company – Stirling, Inverness, Tobermory

Pondlife

By Catherine Wheels Theatre Company

 

Moving school is never easy. When class bully Sharon takes an instant dislike to Martin it feels like he has an especially tough ride ahead of him. That is until he befriends Simon McGurk and his fortunes seem to change. The fickle world of playground politics soon puts pressure on their friendship, however, and Martin finds himself making a choice that will impact them both for the rest of their school days.

 

Following success in Australia and New York, Catherine Wheels restage this energetic piece of storytelling for Scottish venues. A passionate one-man show that vividly illustrates the high stakes of classroom power play, Pondlife movingly explores the lasting legacy of childhood friendships.

 

Suitable for P5-S1

 

School performances of Pondlife are available at the following theatres:

 

Monday 24th October at Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling

Wednesday 26th October at Eden Court Theatre Inverness

Thursday 3rd November at Mull Theatre Tobermory

 

Links to all booking pages can be found at www.catherinewheels.co.uk/productions/pondlife

Interactive Learning In A Classroom Setting- Training Course

sreenshot-interactive

No need to wait for a slot in the school hall, this course will focus on practical, interactive learning in a classroom setting enriching class work and bringing topics to life.

Aimed at Primary 3-7  (although all Primary Teachers welcome), techniques shown will be applied across curriculum areas enabling teachers to use them regularly, gaining confidence while motivating pupils and raising attainment.

Date – Tuesday 15th November

Time – 4.15-6.15pm  (Arrival from 4pm)

Venue – Fairmilehead Church Centre 1A Frogston Road West EH10 7AA

Cost – £60

5 extensive lessons included, handouts and access to training video for hand down training to colleagues if required.

For full details and to register go to

http://www.thedramastudio.com/drama-teaching/teacher-training-in-service-courses

Education opportunities with exciting new theatre piece

Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company and Macrobert Arts Centre in association with Showroom are currently touring a new production, The Rise and Inevitable Fall of Lucas Petit, a fast and furious new comedy.

There’s only one remarkable thing about Lucas Petit, and that is how unremarkable he is. The most exciting thing in his life is his weekly trip to the B&Q cafe – and that’s just the way he likes it. But, one day, a chance encounter with a tramp that may or not be God throws his whole world into disarray as he is cast headfirst into the murky world of organised crime and disorganised religion.

As part of the tour the company are running a selection of education workshops that are available for lower and higher secondary students, university and college and adult community groups. These workshops will be focusing on how different theatrical elements such as physicality, text deliverance, set and prop design can work together as well as in contrast to contribute towards creating the fast pace and surreal world of Lucas Petit. The workshop will also look beneath the comic happenings and question the larger themes and motives that throw Lucas into a series of situations he wasn’t expecting to be in. They are also offering participants the opportunity to utilize these practical and playful workshops to develop skills that will contribute to creating a “curtain raiser” that will feature before the performance at the venue closest to where the workshop takes place.

For any further information  please contact:

Jackstancliffe@gmail.com  (Education and Outreach Co-ordinator)

Callum@callumsmith.me.com (Showroom Theatre Producer)

The Rise and Inevitable Fall of Lucas Petit will be performed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh on Monday the 19th and Tuesday the 20th of September – find tickets here.

#DareToDream: Invitation to All Schools

We  invite all schools to be a part of our storytelling festival local campaign this year, #DaretoDream. The campaign is an outreach initiative running from September to November, book-ending and running alongside our Scottish International Storytelling Festival (a ten day festival running from Friday 21st—Monday 31st October).

By taking part, your school will be contributing to a Scotland-wide initiative inviting and creating space for children to imagine their personal and collective futures, which in turn will build confidence to begin to make these aspirations and ambitions a reality.

We hope that this initiative is an easy way to progress creative learning in your school community with maximum impact, at the same time creating a positive and inclusive experience for pupils.

“Discover the stories of the past and dream the stories of the future. What are the stories of your local place? What stories would you tell to the world today, from the future of your dreams? Everything created must first be imagined: explore the possible and Dare to Dream!”

The principles of creative learning, active learning and inclusion are embedded in this project. Through dreaming, the liberating power of the imagination is open to everyone – neither language nor disability are barriers to participation. The campaign is relevant to the entire school and to every subject area. Activities will also help meet outcomes in both Literacy and Health and Wellbeing.

Download our Storytelling and creative learning booklet here

In an ever-changing world, we believe that it is vital that children are educated about their role and the value they have in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future. By setting learning in the context of your local school and focusing on issues relevant to your pupils, our #DareToDream campaign provides a great opportunity for you to encourage children to think about their right to participate, empowering and enabling them to become active citizens, both locally and globally. We provide the context for learning and suggest tasks and activities, but there is no limit on where this engaging topic could be taken in the classroom.

We will run a #DareToDream social media campaign during the main Scottish International Storytelling Festival. During this period we will make visible all contributions via our online platform. This is an opportunity to showcase your own school’s contribution with the wider community should you so wish in the form of a blog, video, photographs or otherwise.

As part of our social media campaign, we will have a special #DareToDream Day on Thursday 27th October.  On this day, we will encourage every creative citizen in Scotland to share a dream for the future on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the campaign hashtags. Our aim is to make visible Scotland’s collective imagination for all to see!

#DareToDream   #CuirBrighRiBruadar   #DaurTaeDream

HOW TO TAKE PART:

We have made it as simple as possible for teachers to take part, with the options for engaging in more depth should the individual teacher so wish. In a secondary school context, we have suggested a simple activity that could take place in registration class.

Register your school here

Download our #DareToDream Schools Toolkit here

We have also worked in partnership with  heritage organisations, mental health organisations, artists and storytellers to create simple resources for you to use. All additional learning resources will be available on our website before the end of August.

www.daretodream.scot

Please contact Mairi mairi@scottishstorytellingcentre.com if you have any questions.

Dare to Dream

For the Attention of Headteachers, Faculty Heads and All Teachers:

We are aware that creativity is high on the agenda and is part of many School Improvement Plans for the upcoming academic year. For the first time creativity is embedded in HGIOS 4 quality indicators. We hope that this initiative is an easy way to progress creative learning in your school community with maximum impact, at the same time creating a positive and inclusive experience for pupils.

Invitation to All Schools:

We invite all schools in Scotland to be a part of our  Dare to Dream  campaign 2016.  The campaign  is an outreach initiative from this year’s  Scottish International Storytelling Festival and will run from September to November.

“Discover the stories of the past and dream the stories of the future. What are the stories of your local place? What stories would you tell to the world today, from the future of your dreams? Everything created must first be imagined: explore the possible and Dare to Dream!”

By taking part, your school will be contributing to a Scotland-wide initiative inviting and creating space for children to imagine their personal and collective futures, which in turn will build confidence to begin to make these aspirations and ambitions a reality.

The principles of creative learningactive learning and inclusion are embedded in this project. Through dreaming, the liberating power of the imagination is open to everyone – neither language nor disability are barriers to participation. The campaign is relevant to the entire school and to every subject area. Activities will also help meet outcomes in both Literacy and Health and Wellbeing.

In an ever-changing world, we believe that it is vital that children are educated about their role and the value they have in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future. By setting learning in the context of your local school and focusing on issues relevant to your pupils, our #DareToDream campaign provides a great opportunity for you to encourage children to think about their right to participate, empowering and enabling them to become active citizens, both locally and globally. We provide the context for learning and suggest tasks and activities, but there is no limit on where this engaging topic could be taken in the classroom.

How to Take Part:

We have made it as simple as possible for teachers to take part, with the options for engaging in more depth should the individual teacher so wish. In a secondary school context, we have suggested a simple activity that could take place in registration class.

Our info for teachers can be found on our website under the tab ‘For Teachers.’ This includes a schools’ toolkit and information about how to book a storyteller if you wish.

We have also worked in partnership with  heritage organisationsmental health organisationsartists and storytellers  to create simple resources for you to use. All additional learning resources will be available on our website when we launch our campaign to the public, the week beginning *Monday 22nd Aug.* Resources will also be available on GLOW.

If you are interested, please register your name, contact, school and postcode by clicking the link below. We will send you an update with links to all resources and materials.

Register your school here

Showcase your school online:

We will run a #DareToDream social media campaign for the duration of the main International Festival, from the 21st – 31st November. During this period we will make visible all contributions via our online platform. This is an opportunity to showcase your own school’s contribution with the wider community should you so wish in the form of a blog, video, photographs or otherwise.

As part of our social media campaign, we will have a special #DareToDream Day on Thursday 28th October. On this day, we will encourage every creative citizen in Scotland to share a dream for the future on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the campaign hashtag. Our aim is to make visible Scotland’s collective imagination for all to see!

www.daretodream.scot

#DareToDream

#CuirBrighRiBruadar

#DaurTaeDream

 

Free In-School Transition Workshops For Primary 7 Pupils Available May / June 2016

Moving Up Project

Moving from Primary to Secondary school can be one of the most testing times for our learners.

From being a big fish in a little pond to a minnow in a new, much larger, sea can be a daunting challenge for some.

The Moving Up Transition Project utilises the themes and characters from the film Inside Out to support learners transitioning from P7 – S1.

The Moving Up Transition Project creative sessions engage learners through using clips from the film Inside Out. Inside Out explores the impact of moving from a familiar place to a new home and a new school in a new city, on the central character, Riley.

During the workshop a range of playful, creative strategies help learners to examine what the upcoming change will mean for them. Learners then develop an emotional intelligent understanding of how a little anxiety during times of change is normal and that there is support available to help them with any concerns they may have. Experienced facilitation within the session will mean that learners create a toolkit that helps them to:

  • develop coping strategies relating to change
  • effectively assess some of the things that could go wrong
  • identify strategies for minimising risk that things will go wrong
  • identify what to do when things do go wrong

·      find help and support from a range of places Each in-school session is suitable for a maximum of 1 class (30 young people) at a time and lasts 2 hours. All that’s needed is a blank wall to project onto / smart-board and room to move around. For more information and to make a booking please contact: Annie McCourt on 0141 3328128 (EXT 237) or e-mail her at annie.mccourt@glasgowfilm.org