| Specifications | |
| Location(s) | Throughout the UK |
| Key Stages | KS2, KS3, KS4 |
| Special Schools | Yes |
| Public Liability | 10,000,000 |
| Enhanced DBS | Yes |
| Fees | Please contact us with details of your requirements |
| Administration Service | Administered by the provider |
| Website | http://bigwheel.org.uk/ |
More about this Workshop/Service and the Provider
Big Wheel is a theatre in education company that uses theatre and drama to train, teach and inspire. We offer two literature workshops: one is about Literary Criticism and the other looks at the War poets and the impact of the First World War on literature and art. Both are an excellent way for your students to get into these sometimes quite heavy topics. By using a mixture of performance and participation we create workshops that are both fun and informative.
The Big Book Show – an introduction to literary criticism
Students often have to read and then write or talk about books they are reading. This thoroughly entertaining workshop offers a range of ideas to help get them into thinking critically. The workshop explores concepts such as: first impressions, genre, time and place, character and motivation, and deeper meanings. We take examples from these books to make the points.
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Students do not have to know the books above and so that your students get the most out of the workshop we will ask you which books they are studying so that we can refer to them throughout the workshop.
Who’s it for? The Big Book Show is aimed mainly at KS3 students, but we can also present versions of it to upper KS2.
Meaning in the Mud – exploring the cultural legacy of the First World War
This workshop looks at the way poets, dramatists, artists and novelists responded to the First World War, and how the legacy of that war continues even now to influence writing and other art forms like cinema.
The core of the workshop is the famous First World War poets, and the changes in style from the lyrical and conventional, like Rupert Brooke’s, to harsher and more experimental forms of writing like Wilfred Owen’s. We also look at the response of artists like CRW Nevinson and Paul Nash, the playwright Peter Whelan (The Accrington Pals) and the writer JRR Tolkein.
Who’s it for? We present versions for KS3 for up to 60 students and KS4 for up to 100 students
A bit more about Big Wheel
We work in schools, museums and libraries, healthcare and business. For schools we have a repertoire of workshop performances covering English and French language learning, English literature, Sustainability and Climate Change. We work at all levels and can tailor our workshops to suit the needs of the school.
In other settings our work is more bespoke and we have created a range of programmes including historical storytelling in museums, service improvement in healthcare and presentation skills in business. We specialise in working closely with our clients to create an impactful and entertaining learning experience – and we have a lot of fun along the way.
Testimonials
No two shows are the same, because the actors constantly work with the way the audience reacts. It is funny and grabs the pupil’s interest.
Head of English, Secondary School, Haaksbergen, NL
The whole show was packed with fun and was presented with such sparkle, wit and energy that the children and staff enjoyed it enormously; I am sure they learned a tremendous amount.
Class Teacher, Primary School, Lincolnshire
Availability & How to Book
We are ready to organise your special event for you and answer any queries you may have.
Please complete the enquiry form below and someone will get back to you.
