Workshops for Primary Schools by FINDING THE WILL
Primary School - 2 hour workshop
This workshop is aimed at KS1 and KS2. The children require no prior knowledge of the play, in fact we actively encourage teachers not to reveal the story before we arrive. The session is designed to be an interactive workshop whereby the children are encouraged to use their imaginations and to try and put themselves in the shoes of the characters. Using minimal props and costumes the children act out the entire story for each other and speak some of the original text.
We adapt our approach for KS1 and the Reception class whereby the children improvise the story and put their own personal slant on it, for example naming King Alonso’s ship in The Tempest. With all age groups we include group activities giving every child the chance to perform to a level at which they feel comfortable.
The workshops include discussions about character and plot so if a a child feels more comfortable answering questions rather than performing then they too have plenty of opportunities to take a full and active part. FINDING THE WILL believes there are never wrong answers only interesting ideas - this provides an opportunity for the children to use some of their knowledge of the period. By the end of the session the children have a full understanding of the story and an appreciation of the language. Above all they know that Shakespeare is fun. A complimentary Teachers’ Pack is provided.
Primary School – One Week Residency
We offer a residency week working with KS1 and/or KS2 where the children improvise and create their own version of one of Shakespeare’s immortal tales. The combined effort of all year groups involved culminates in a performance for an invited audience on the Friday afternoon.
As with the two-hour workshop the children require no prior knowledge of the play. On Day One we take the children through the play using our interactive workshop. During the course of the week we have two sessions with each class working on their particular section of the play and then bring it all together on the Friday. We arrive armed with a skeleton version of scenes but the children are encouraged to input their own creative ideas. We try to use as much of the original text as possible even if it is in the form of a rap! There is also scope for making props and costumes where appropriate and for the children to use their instrumental skills. A complimentary Teachers’ Pack is provided.