Storytelling
Clayton CE Primary School &
Lidget Green Primary School
These two schools worked on a year-long
project looking at family heritage, belonging and journeys. Their
focus was on the journeys people have taken to get to where they
are now.
All children had the opportunity to explore their own
identity and share it with their friends from the other school. On
their first meeting they designed a Coat of Arms in small groups
using symbols and a motto to represent their group identity.
Following this they then went home and interviewed grandparents,
parents and other family members and wrote stories about a journey
their interviewee had taken.
They visited Bolling Hall Museum together, for
a storytelling workshop, to enable them with strategies and ideas
for effective storytelling. This helped them to develop their
stories from notes into something people would want to read and
listen to.
During WDWTWA week, the two schools came together, at the
Schools Linking Network offices, for a book launch and presentation
evening. Both schools invited grandparents, parents and other
family members to celebrate with them and hear the stories they had
written about them. The children played an active role in planning
and presenting the evening and the families prepared food to
share.
The project enabled all involved to really
think about the question what makes me who I am? It was a real
exploration into family heritage and the children and families
involved were provided with an opportunity to celebrate and share
their identity, with people they would not otherwise have had the
opportunity to meet.
“The children really enjoyed the
whole project and learned a great deal about themselves, their
families and each other through the process. The book launch was a
complete success and it was fantastic to see the families
socialising and sharing a celebration
together.”
Year 5 Teacher
“I felt really shy reading my
story but my family were pleased, especially my Dad. My story was
about him!”
Year 5 girl – Clayton CE Primary
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