Eco Drama held our first Out to Play Teacher CPD session of 2019, kindly hosted by Langlands Primary School, and attended by teachers, nursery leaders and practitioners from across greater Glasgow.
The session was delivered by Drama Artist Ben Mali Macfadyen, and Eco Drama’s Artistic Director Emily Reid, who have been instrumental in developing the Out to Play project since it’s first pilot to primary schools in 2015. The award-winning project, now in its fourth year of delivery, has to date reached over 2,830 children and 360 teachers across greater Glasgow and Scotland, championing the role of the arts and creativity in outdoor learning and learning for sustainability.
During the twilight session, participants explored the importance of nature-based learning, and developed a greater understanding of the rich possibilities of bringing together outdoor learning, drama, storytelling and play. After a brief introduction indoors, the majority of the session was delivered outside, learning through doing, and braving the chilly spring weather! Participants explored the playground environment, discussing ways to bring it to life using just the imagination, and took part in some nature connection and imagination exercises, including exploring the key tools of Out to Play – drama, storytelling and role play. By the end of the session teachers felt inspired and empowered to bring these creative learning techniques into their outdoor learning practice, and all went away with Eco Drama’s brand new resource pack ‘Let’s Go…Out to Play!’ written by Out to Play Drama Artists Ben Mali Macfadyen and Sophie McCabe.
Some feedback from the session:
“I will 100% be using the skills I have learned today within my setting. I found this full experience AMAZING. If everyone thrived off the outdoors and outdoor learning as much as these guys it would be great. Very beneficial. Well done.”
Shannon Burns, Colquhoun Park Nursery
Ben and Emily were so inspirational and all ideas applicable. Ben’s enthusiasm and passion is contagious! Really valuable and I’m already planning to try the storytelling approaches tomorrow with my P4 class of 33!”
Caroline Beaton, Jordanhill School
“It was great to see excellent outdoor activities using minimal resources at a low cost. The excellent input really helped my confidence in taking outdoor learning to a bare playground.”
Amanda McDonald, St Monica’s Primary
Due to popular demand, Eco Drama will be running more Out to Play CPD workshops like this later in 2019 in the summer and autumn terms for primary school teachers, nursery leaders and education practitioners. We can also deliver whole school CPD sessions for all teachers within a school.
To enquire about dates, and for further information, please email nina@ecodrama.co.uk.
Watch the latest Out to Play mini documentary here. To become an Out to Play partner school in autumn 2019 and experience the full 5 week project, please email emily@ecodrama.co.uk.
