Reading becomes a work of art
8:59am Tuesday 13th December 2011 in Education News
READING is more than simply opening a book for primary schoolchildren in Bolton — and definitely more fun.
Youngsters have been inspired to create their own short drama pieces based on what they have read, others have come up with their own characters and some imaginative youngsters have come up with a plot for a sequel.
And all have been inspired to come up with a completely different idea for a children’s novel.
For while primary teachers express concern that children are not reading for pleasure at home, the youngsters taking part in what is thought to be a first of its kind project, cannot get enough of it.
Three schools in Bolton — St Paul’s CE Astley Bridge, All Saints CE School in Farnworth, St Peter’s CE in Farnworth — and one in Wigan are taking part in Artspeak, a new project designed to empower young people through the arts.
The project attracted £6,000 of Arts Council funding. It has been devised by Neil West and is based around his book Holly the Freak.
Mr West is a qualified primary school teacher based with Study@BWFC, which enriches and complements what is being done in classrooms across Bolton.
His project is aimed at encouraging a love of reading in young people as well as exploring their creativity through writing and other artistic disciplines.
The project is not only enhancing literacy lessons but promoting emotional development through the arts — his character Holly is a troubled young girl who learns how to face up to the many challenges that confront her.
Mr West said: “Young people are given the opportunity to explore the difficulties they face in their own lives and think about how they can use artistic and creative endeavour as the voice to overcome these challenges.”
As part of the project Mr West visits the schools to lead a writing workshop.
He said: “The workshops help them realise their own potential as writers and feel inspired to develop their own creativity.
“They will be offered the chance to develop their skills in the visual arts, paint, sculpture, and see their work exhibited in a public gallery.
“The project is designed to be fun and colourful to inspire and motivate them and at the same time the youngsters are thinking critically about the book, identifying use of vocabulary and exploring themes and concepts.
“Art is also being used in the project as a way young people can express themselves, sometimes young people feel they are not being listened to. They can communicate how they feel through music, art or other mediums.”
Mr West added: “I have been overwhelmed with the ideas of the young people.”
Joshua Butterworth, aged 11, who attends St Peter’s CE Primary, said: “We came up with a story called Santa’s Little Helper based on Father Christmas sleeping in. I have enjoyed taking part in the project, and had fun reading and writing about Holly.”
Classmate Frankie Hayes, aged 10, added: “I like reading because it is relaxing and you can imagine all the different characters, which helps your writing.” She added: “We had to give a presentation to the class and I was a bit nervous beforehand, but now feel more confident.”
