storytelling 2011

Storytelling Countryside Events & Environmental Education, 2011

"Who's Afraid of the Dark?" Randall's Farm, Bedfordshire

An event at the Wildlife Trust's Environmental Education site near Stewartby, Bedfordshire

At the beginning of this evening family event Jane told stories of the moon, bats and owls as people gathered in the woodland clearing at dusk.

Who's afraid of the dark? A night time event at the Wildlife Trust's Randalls Farm

“The woodland looked magical with the lanterns and fire and we really enjoyed your wildlife stories, absolutely amazing. Your stories really set the atmosphere for the evening and were definately a highlight for many people.
We were so inspired by your story telling that we started talking about training.”
Bedfordshire Environmental Education Service Manager

Environmental play schemes at the Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine

For a second year, Jane has been planning and leading play schemes at the Forest Centre, in the Forest of Marston Vale.

Aimed at children aged 4-10, these have been a mixture of indoor crafts and outdoor adventures, all with a wildlife theme.

Activities have included "Amazing animals and magic masks" and "In search of the Green Man"

Read a short piece in Beds Times & Citizen (Feb 2011)

Farley Junior School, Luton. Creative Partnerships Project

Jane was asked to work on Farley Junior School’s Creative Partnerships project to facilitate staff confidence in the use of creativity in teaching and learning. The project focused on the use of school grounds and local neighbourhood as the inspiration for stories.

In the school grounds Year 3 went on a Celtic quest adventure to recover forgotten stories and Year 4 built portals to imaginary worlds. Year 3 had further adventures indoors with a “Quest Game” to explore the different elements of a quest story. Year 4 took part in workshop sessions to build up stories about their imaginary worlds, completing booklets and performing their stories.

Portal to Wonderdead World

Both Year 5 and 6 visited Stockwood Discovery Centre with Jane to find out about Farley’s history; through storytelling, workshops and time travel passes; find out more about time travel passes. Back at school Year 5 created personal stories around special items inspired by the museum and thinking about what’s special about Farley and why it’s “good to be me”. The museum visit also provided inspiration for Year 5’s creative writing about “The Highwayman” a poem by Alfred Noyes.

In Year 6’s workshops back at school, children chose a period from a time line in which to set their stories, linking to “The Big Picture” theme. Children then presented their stories in a variety of ways from comic book to Powerpoint presentation.

Farley Hill pupils at Stockwood Discovery Centre

Jane and Farley pupils at Stockwood Discovery Centre

“Just want to say, that I enjoyed working alongside you and learning more about storytelling. I am sure it will be an experience that the children will always remember.” Year 5 Teacher

“That's fantastic, thank you [for the project resources]. I'm looking forward to using them all next year. Thanks again for all your hard work.” Year 4 Teacher

Back for a fourth year at Chepping View Primary, High Wycombe

t. 01462 711815
m. 07794 013876
e. info(at)wassledine.co.uk

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Expanding on the previous year’s meadow project, the school was keen to develop outdoor learning opportunities in their school grounds. This year Jane worked with Year 1 on the theme of Iron Age homes - leading story activities in the meadow and cooking bread sticks over a fire.

Year 3’s theme was Ancient Greece. Jane took the children and staff on a story adventure in the meadow through tales of King Midas and Persephone. The children then worked with Jane to perform the two stories, inviting parents along to the outdoor theatre. Children made maps in the meadow, marking different areas as landscape features of Ancient Greek stories. They then took part in role play to learn about hoplite soldiers. Jane told stories of two famous battles. First, in the sea battle of Salamis a full size trireme battle ship was marked out with tent pegs and string for the children to row to victory. Then in the Battle of Marathon, children marched in phalanx formation to defeat the Persians. After the battle, the children collected plants and mixed up potions to treat the wounded soldiers and discover about Ancient Greek medicines.

“Thank you for all of your hard work and great ideas and activities. I hope that we can continue to find funding to work with you again in the future" Year 1 teacher

“Thank you very much for all your brilliant ideas.” Year 3 teacher

Also in 2011...
Jane has been telling stories at the Living Crafts fayre at Hatfield House and at Aragon Day in Ampthill. She continues to work as a supply teacher for the Wildlife Trust at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Huntingdon.

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