KS1 Workshops

In a Page to Stage workshop, pupils will work with a Polka practitioner to bring a book or story of your choosing to life.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to perform.

Techniques Explored:

• Using stimuli to inspire drama
• Creating a setting onstage
• Bringing a character to life using movement and voice
• Telling a story

Children will…

• deepen their comprehension of the text through immersion and roleplay.
• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.
• devise a dialogue or movement piece representing a section of their story.

Recommended Workshop Length: 90 minutes to 1 day per class

In a Play in a Day workshop, a Polka Practitioner will guide your students through the process of devising and staging their own piece of theatre.

Play in a Day workshops can be themed to one of your curriculum areas, or you can give your pupils complete creative freedom. Past workshops have included everything from a Theatre for Change piece on the environment, to a play about a magical pineapple.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to perform.

Techniques Explored:

• Generating ideas
• Using stimuli to inspire drama
• Devising and improvisation
• Structuring a story
• Developing characters
• Building a setting
• Performance techniques

Children will…

• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.
• devise a short drama using movement, sound and/or dialogue.
• develop an understanding of character, plot and setting.

Recommended Workshop Length: 2.5 hours to 1 day per class

A Show-Related Workshop is the perfect way to complement a trip to Polka. In these workshops, pupils will work with a Polka Practitioner to explore the key themes of the Polka production they have seen, as well as exploring characters, setting and key performance techniques.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to share their own creative responses.

Performance Elements Explored:

• Character
• Setting
• Key Themes
• Performance/Production Techniques

Children will…

• develop their understanding and recognition of the plot, characters and settings featured in the performance.
• use movement, role play or tableau to retell a key section of the story.
• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In a Puppetry Workshop, your pupils will learn about a range of different types of puppets and how they are operated. One of Polka’s experienced puppeteers will then guide each child through the process of designing and building their very own puppet. Workshops can be themed to a book or topic of your choosing.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for pupils to practice operating their puppets.

Types of Puppets:

• Paper Bag Puppets
• Stick and Rod Puppets
• Moving Mouth Puppets
• Shadow Puppets

Children will…

• design, build and decorate their own puppet.
• learn how to manipulate their puppet and practice moving and talking with it.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 hour to 90 minutes per class

Puppetry workshops incur an additional fee of £1 per child to cover materials.

In a Sensory Story session, one of Polka’s expert storytellers will invite your students to travel with them through the world of a story, using a range of dramatic and sensory techniques to bring a book or classic tale of your choosing to life.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection.

Techniques Used:

• Sensory Play
• Puppetry
• Movement
• Roleplay
• Group/Pair Games
• Call & Response
• Songs
• Music

Children will…

• be immersed in the world of the story, developing their comprehension through imaginative play.
• grow their understanding of the characters and settings of the story.
• consolidate their understanding of the plot, including the sequence of events.
• reflect upon the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters.
• work alongside their peers and a Polka Practitioner, using roleplay and props to bring the story to life.

Recommended Workshop Length: 30 minutes to 1 hour

In our Coping with Change Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to explore the concept of change, looking at excitement versus anxiety, and how to manage their emotions during difficult periods of change.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection.

Techniques Used:

• Process Drama
• Storytelling
• Still Image
• Roleplay
• Breathwork

Children will…

• engage with a story centred around a daunting change.
• work together to explore and recognise the different emotions the characters may be experiencing.
• problem solve ways to manage difficult feelings.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In our Empathy Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to develop empathy, exploring how to recognise emotions in others, and the impact of their actions upon their peers.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection.

Techniques Used:

• Process Drama
• Storytelling
• Still Image
• Roleplay

Children will…

• engage with a story centred around a misunderstanding between friends.
• practice identifying different emotions
• explore the causes and effects of different actions.
• work together to investigate different solutions and outcomes.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In our Confidence Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to identify and celebrate their own strengths and those of their peers, as well as exploring moments in their lives where they may need to set boundaries or ask for help.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection.

Techniques Used:

• Process Drama
• Storytelling
• Still Image
• Roleplay

Children will…

• play games designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths.
• engage in a story in which a character requires help.
• work together to explore and discover ways that help can be attained.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In our Emotions Workshops, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to grow their emotional regulation skills, exploring how to recognise and manage strong feelings. Workshops can be themed to a specific emotion, such as anxiety, anger or sadness.

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection.

Techniques Used:

• Process Drama
• Storytelling
• Still Image
• Breathwork

Children will…

• engage with a story centred around managing emotions.
• practice identifying different emotions.
• work together to problem solve ways to manage big feelings.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

Polka also provides workshops bespoke-designed for your school.

A bespoke workshop may combine two or more different types of workshop, run over multiple days, or use drama and theatre to explore something completely original.

Examples of Past Bespoke Workshops:

• Weekly drama classes and clubs
• Combined Puppetry and Play in a Day/Page to Stage workshops
• Shakespeare workshops
• Poetry or Creative Writing workshops
• History through Drama workshops
• Mask-making workshops
• Playmaking and Devising workshops run over multiple days

Please note that bespoke workshops incur a small additional fee, which will be discussed when booking. To book a bespoke workshop, simply fill in the Schools Workshop Booking Form and our Schools Manager, Lizzie, will get in touch to discuss your ideas.