Doing Things Differently

Workshop Options

The following workshop options were available at the conference

1. How would our curriculum be different if it was built on children's ideas and ambitions?

In this workshop participants had practical, first-hand experience of a rigorous, empowering process for designing and developing a curriculum with children. By sensitively structuring their thinking, talking and planning, it becomes possible to devise projects which engage and excite children, connecting with the real world and the community outside the classroom. You'll hear examples of how the approach has led to remarkable outcomes which are not just good, but brilliant!

Led by Jo Howell and Sue Herdman, EDS

2. How would our curriculum be different if we explored outside?

Travel and television ensure that children have an increased awareness of the wider world but how observant and critical are they? The recently published DfES 'Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto' invites pledges of support from schools and organisations committed to making greater use of their environment. This workshop explored simple and effective ideas for using the outdoors to promote profound and engaging learning experiences.

Led by Nick Cronin and Elizabeth Mynott, EDS

3. How would our curriculum be different if we worked as an ensemble?

Ensemble working is about creating and making together. In this workshop participants went on a shared journey of discovery and learning, using creative decisions to inform and enable our collective making. Though their journey was through one of Shakespeare's plays, the approaches are applicable right across the primary curriculum.

Led by Jacqui O'Hanlon, RSC Learning

4. How would our curriculum be different if we thought like scientists?

Scientists can be very playful and inquisitive when investigating possibilities. In this workshop participants explored and discovered how to think beyond the expected and look at ways of solving problems that can be applied to other areas of the curriculum to make learning richer and deeper.

Led by Linda Atherton and Maggie Booth, EDS

5. How would our curriculum be different if we made more with ICT?

In this workshop participants made playful and creative use of a variety of ICT. They worked together to make things that both surprised and delighted. They took away skills and approaches that can be applied across the school to make ICT the everyday servant of a truly imaginative and exciting curriculum.

Led by Miles Tandy, EDS and Mark Sharrott, EDS Associate

6. How would our curriculum be different if we enjoyed beauty and laughter more?

Beauty and laughter are not words that necessarily spring immediately to mind when we think of teaching in primary schools nowadays. But why not? If we value them as qualities in our lives, why can't they have an active role in the classroom? This workshop explored, through a scheme of work based upon Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant, ways in which we might make them part of our pedagogy to motivate and inspire our children and, at the same time, lift our spirits as teachers.

Led by Joe Winston, University of Warwick