Using ‘Drama for Learning’ techniques with Picture Books at KS1 and KS2

Great picture books, offer deep, meaningful learning opportunities. The text and pictures can be actively approached, explored and understood through the use of Drama techniques. Selected drama strategies can help children engage with the images and language, the characters and situations, the themes and their own lives. This course will explain and demonstrate this, with reference to drama lessons on ‘The Tunnel’ by Anthony Brown and ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan. The techniques can then be adapted with any picture book.

PARTICIPANTS WILL

• Learn about some drama strategies that can be used with picture books
• Consider what a picture book to approach through Drama;
• Be talked through an upper KS1 picture book and listen to the thinking behind the choice of strategies for the intended learning:
• Be talked through an upper KS2 picture book and listen to the thinking behind the choice of strategies for the intended learning:
• Receive high-quality picture book recommendations, for exploration through Drama and share and receive other suggestions through ‘chat’;

HANDOUTS:

• A Drama Strategies booklet
• A copy of the Powerpoint (as a PDF)
• The KS1 and KS2 lesson plan
• A relevant published article.

This course is also available for schools to host online during 2021

Patrice Baldwin was a primary headteacher, School Improvement and Art Education Adviser and Ofsted inspector. She was Sir Jim Rose’s Drama Editorial Expert for his proposed primary curriculum.

Patrice has given keynotes and led workshops in 35+ countries and was President of the International Drama Theatre and Education Association (2010-13) and Chair of National Drama for more than a decade (until 2015). She created and directed ‘Drama for Learning and Creativity’ (D4LC), an internationally acclaimed school improvement initiative.

Patrice is a published educational author and has been a BBC Education scriptwriter and series consultant (TV and Radio). She now works freelance.

Email: patrice@patricebaldwin.com Website: www.patricebaldwin.com

‘Patrice Baldwin is a rarity. She is one of the few primary drama experts left in this country and quite possibly the most experienced and effective drama primary teacher. Teachers on her courses, come away feeling more confident and with a broader repertoire. Her work is excellent!’ 

Pie Corbett

Absolutely brilliant! Patrice’s course opened doors for colleagues which they would not have believed possible. In everything she does, she walks delegates through the materials, and discusses the impact this has on children’s learning. She uses drama conventions to create opportunities for pupils to secure their learning in new and deeper ways. 

Mary Myatt