Drama Adventures with Alive & Kicking

Bradford Beck flows deep with its own memories and stories:
The Ducking Stool – The Beck that Burst into Flames – Burying the Beck.
Listen to the river as it speaks of its past and present.

We join the people who lived years ago beside the ever-dancing waters, following their lives as they find both friend and foe in the ebb and flow. We share in the obstacles they face, their downfalls and their joys as they create their own stories to be told on the riverbanks.

In The Hidden River we replay history, we imagine what might have happened had we been there, and what might happen if ever Bradford Beck finds it has a new course to run. What part will you play in the lives of river people?

In this drama adventure children will:

• Develop oracy skills
• Work in a range of roles
• Increase confidence in building settings, characters and narrative lines
• Communicate ideas and emotions to others
• Put key vocabulary into practice
• Work in a creative and collaborative environment
• Reflect on and record their learning
• Understand some of the relationships between humans and the environments we live in

How does it work?
Prior to our visit we will schedule an online meeting with school staff to provide further information and to check important details ensuring The Hidden River flows smoothly.

We begin with what we know; the features of Bradford Beck as it is now and some of what history tells us. Then we begin to wonder… what might become of the beck as it flows into the future or as its hidden past is revealed? Using a drama-based approach, we move into imaginary worlds where mother nature and humankind meet.

Storms, freezing winters, lightning strikes and rushing waters gouge out a new path for the beck changing both the landscape and the lives of those who live beside her. Working ‘in-role’ we explore the events and lives of those people and face whatever challenges and opportunities the changing environment gives them. We examine the fragile relationship between people and planet.

Who is it for?
The Hidden River has been created for children from Year 3 through to Year 6 and complements KS2 curriculum aims in English, History and Geography.

How many children can take part?
Each full morning can accommodate a maximum of one whole class, so we expect to be with about 30 children.

What spaces will we need?
We begin our visit in the classroom and, if possible, move to a bigger space as the morning progresses. We can arrange the use of space to allow for lunchtime preparation.

Will I receive anything else?
We will provide notes for any preparation required before our visit, and detailed suggestions for follow up work.

In The Museum of Untold Stories children are the heroes of their own stories as they become the authors of exciting tales, creators of epic narratives.

Meet Icarus Bly, an agent of MoUS (Museum Of Untold Stories), who needs your help to create a brand-new story for a strange and unusual object.

Aladdin had his lamp, Bilbo had a magic ring, Goldilocks had her porridge bowl and Doctor Who wields their sonic screwdriver! All objects with a story – but Icarus has a suitcase full of objects that have mysteriously lost their stories, no one knows where, no one knows how. Objects looking for your children to help make brand new tales to tell, write, read and share.

Create original adventures from scratch and help save the world from becoming one without the richness that great stories bring to us all.

In this drama adventure children will:

• Build a whole story from beginning to end
• Explore oracy
• Develop their descriptive language skills
• Construct a story arc to completion
• Make character descriptions
• Construct dialogue
• Problem solve
• Share ideas and develop shared ideas
• Use drama to release their creativity and discover new skills

How does it work?
Using drama approaches, the class will come together to work with our Alive & Kicking practitioner, in role as Icarus Bly, to find a brand-new story for an object that has lost its story. The session lasts for approximately one and a half hours.

Who is it for?
Year 1 to Year 6. We have a variety of objects which are year group appropriate.

How many children can take part?
Each session can accommodate a maximum of one whole class, so we expect to be with about 30 children.

What spaces will we need?
The school hall is always preferred, as the children can spill out into the space to do group work when called for. However, at a push we can deliver MoUS in a classroom if the table and chairs have been pushed to the side of the room.

Will I receive anything else?
The session stands alone as a story building tool. However, all teachers are encouraged to write up the story with their class and send it back to Icarus (MoUS agent) to be stored in the Museum.

A drama adventure for Nursery & Reception exploring our world, our home and helping each other.

Someone new has moved in on Bradford’s Sunshine Street, but no one has seen them – it’s a mystery! Join neighbours Lawrence, the artist, and Pearl, the dinner lady, to explore the street and spot some of the unusual goings on at Number 4…can you help discover who lives there and welcome them to the community?

This curious adventure, packed with fun and imagination, has been developed specifically to support and enhance EYFS provision.

In this drama adventure children will:

• Develop language skills through talk, song & repetition
• Build self confidence through sharing ideas & expressing feelings
• Be encouraged to ask questions, be curious & make predictions
• Develop and use their imagination
• Be immersed in a drama adventure through imaginative play & acting out simple scenarios

How does it work?
The day begins with all the children gathered to meet Lawrence & Pearl. Together, using engaging drama activities, they will learn about & explore Sunshine Street; the houses, the people and what makes good neighbours. Children will be encouraged to relate their own lived experience to our fictional street to deepen their understanding. The children will also learn that someone new has moved into Number 4; no one has seen them yet but there have been some clues…

Small group work follows, led by the Alive & Kicking artists, with each group learning about different clues that have been seen and heard, being curious and asking questions to try and unravel the mystery of who lives at number 4!

At the end of the day everyone will come back together to share what they have learnt and make a plan for how they can help their new neighbour.

Who is it for?
Specifically developed, alongside EYFS practitioners, for children in nursery settings and reception classrooms.

How many children can take part?
One whole class will be engaged in the adventure throughout the day. We can offer versions for smaller groups incorporating morning and afternoon cohorts of children where needed.

What spaces will we need?
The whole adventure can take place within your unit/classroom. We will need an area large enough for the whole class to sit together at the beginning & the end of the day and a space for small groups to work throughout the day.

Will I receive anything else?
Yes! To accompany the adventure you will also receive:

• Introductory character videos to watch before our visit
• Post show videos to continue the exploration and learning with your class!
• Activity ideas & resources!