English and Literacy
A museum visit will provide lots of opportunities to develop literacy skills. For instance:
- recording thoughts and impressions can form the basis for creative writing later
- taking part in a workshop session provides an opportunity for speaking and listening
- collecting information to write labels, panels or a guide book for an exhibition will incorporate reading and writing, and can be combined with work on history, art, ICT, music, drama
- many museum sessions incorporate elements of drama and role play
- museum collections can be used to bring the written word to life, such as Chatham Historic Dockyard's Literacy session which links poetry to the experience of life on board a World War II Destroyer and a submarine (see below). This session was particularly aimed at underachieving boys and has proved very successful.
Downloads
Rachel's Washday, History and Literacy (Banbury Museum. Word DOC, 36Kb).
Shadow Puppets (Brighton Museums and Galleries. Word DOC, 80Kb).
Museums, Libraries and Archives South East (MLA South East) case study Learning How (Roald Dahl Museum).
MLA South East case study Write on Fareham (Westbury Manor Museum).
Useful Websites
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Surrey Museums Consultative Committee Literacy activities using museum objects.
Weald and Downland Open air Museum have worked with Education in Theatre groups to provide sessions aimed at KS2/3 to support Shakespeare. The Weald and Downland also demonstrates how a museum visit can support English.
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre works with pupils from Year 3 to Year 7 to find pleasure in reading and writing creatively
Rochester Guildhall Museum offers sessions linked to literacy.
Chatham Historic Dockyard for details of Programmes and Resources including Living Literacy Days.