KS2 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.
• either bring to life a section of their story or create an original retelling from the point of view of another character.

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.
• develop an understanding of character, plot and setting.
• use at least one stimulus to inspire the creation of their own, original story.
• learn about and practice using key performance techniques.

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…

• consolidate their understanding and recognition of the plot, characters and settings featured in the performance.
• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.
• devise a short creative response to the production using at least one performance or production technique featured onstage.

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 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…

• explore the differences between the types of change they may experience in life.
• take part in a process drama about a difficult change.
• work together to explore and recognise the different emotions the characters may be experiencing.
• problem solve ways to manage those feelings, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas.

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
• Devising

Children will…

• take part in a short process drama on a disagreement between friends.
• practice identifying emotions .
• consider the causes and effects of different actions.
• work together to explore different solutions and outcomes, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas.

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
• Devising

Children will…

• take part in roleplay games and activities designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths.
• engage in a process drama in which a character requires help.
• work together to explore and discover ways that help can be attained, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas.

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
• Roleplay
• Breathwork

Children will…

• take part in a process drama on managing difficult emotions.
• practice identifying different feelings.
• work together to problem solve ways to manage big emotions, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas.

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.