The Imaginary Menagerie
In January this year Bedlington Stead Lane First School embarked on an enquiry into how creative engagement might impact on communication skills and enjoyment of learning.
The project worked with practitioner Lesley Wood and inspired pupils to develop a range of skills.
As a practitioner, Lesley immerses children in a dramatic framework in which they are engaged as Special Agents and taught a range of techniques that support their learning. The learning adventure began with a visit from The Institute of Momentous Event - a.k.a. TIME for those in the know!
Using a range of creative tools to develop thinking, speaking, listening and literacy skills, Lesley worked with the new recruits in years 1 and 2 over a six week period to create a range of wonderful creatures. Sporting thinking hats, the children examined and developed their choices, applying their knowledge of animals to create new species and then build the environments in which to house them.
Project objectives
To develop speaking and listening in Key stage 1 and to raise standards in writing.
Who was involved?
Years 1 and 2.
Practitioners involved in the project:
Lesley Wood – Drama/Role Play/mantle of the expert
Claire Satow - Artist/Printer
Impact
Working with Lesley increased pupil engagement and the children were highly motivated by the Imaginary Menagerie theme. Children became so wrapped up in their part and in what was going on that they were fired up to write. No one was saying I can’t do it.
CPD for staff was written into the project and as a result a number of staff developed new dramatic frameworks and took on board elements of the training, embedding it within their teaching practice.
The final stage of the project was delivered by Claire Satow who worked with the children to translate their ideas into a wall-hanging that celebrated the Menagerie and the animals who reside within it. This now holds pride of place in the school hall as a constant reminder of the marvellous work produced by the children.
Results
Children have made accelerated progress in Writing in Year 2.
Following whole staff CPD, a number of teachers who were not directly involved in the project have developed aspects of mantle of the expert in their own creative curriculum.
