Back Page Project
Whitehall Primary School, Whitehall Road, Leicester, LE5 6GL.
Programme: Creative Partnerships.
Enquiry Question : "How can creative learning techniques bridge the gap between oracy and the written word, especially with regard to high-attaining boys in Year 6?"
Objectives
The school wanted to explore creative approaches to teaching and learning writing.
Their aim was to engage and enthuse pupils in developing their confidence as well as enjoyment with writing. They were keen to motivate their high attainers, especially boys, in Year 6 who, although extremely articulate, were reluctant writers.
After consultation with their Creative Agent – Andrew Fox, the school decided to work on a project around sports commentary.
Sports commentary involves great creative skill, sharp wits, imagination and oral ability and the school felt this is an excellent link to improving writing.
There initial ideas were:
- Practice Commentating - Note what commentators talk about, Online Commentary, Street scenes, School matches, School day / arrivals, School dinners, Playground action, Critique each other's commentary.
- Scalextric Race - pupils decide what it is, pupils promote it, fliers, posters, press release, build it in school hall, pupils commentators not racers, dad's race, teacher's race, mum's race, pupils do lap times. Pupils write race report.
- Documentation - produce mini newspaper football reports, Scalextric reports, report on project itself, photos of project, record commentaries, pupils with still cameras, pro-photographer.
- Practice Writing - comparison of paper reports, content analysis of reports, vocabulary analysis of reports, write your own reports, try different styles of reports.
- Visit to football match, interview questions for commentator, interview questions for journalist, watch match taking notes, write match report, follow journey of story to press, compare reports.
Scalextric Extravaganza!
In March 2010 the school invited parents and the public to a racing day.
A team of 12 year 6 pupils played host for the event which saw them show off mini races, live commentary, the roving reporters and gave them a chance to beat the champion on their leader board.
It was a fantastic opportunity for the pupils to develop their powers of observation and communication skills.
The pupils also produced a newspaper report featuring coverage from the day.
