The Beautiful Beasts Video Workshops for Schools 4 Jun - 31 Jul 2024
Inspired by The Ark's collection of loveable animal sculptures, The Beautiful Beasts, we have created a series of free video workshops and accompanying activity sheets for you and your class to enjoy in the classroom.
These free video workshops are led by a range of Ark artists and designed for teachers to use in the classroom with your students. There are options in drama, visual art and creative writing suitable for different age ranges. Simply scroll down to take a look at the offerings and then complete the Jotform to receive the video links. There is only one form to fill out and you will automatically receive all video workshop links.
Teachers may wish to preview the videos before using in the classroom. You’ll see how the videos are structured with points where you can pause and take as much time as needed to complete various stages in the process. There’s also an accompanying activity sheet available to download on this page for each video with further ideas for even more creativity in the classroom.
We hope you enjoy using these in your classroom.
By Joanna Parkes
For Preschool to Senior Infants
Explore the importance of all creatures small and large in this video drama workshop led by Joanna Parkes. Pack your make-believe backpacks, set off to find the proud lion and see where your imaginations can take you...
If you like, you can bring a few things with you:
• A cushion
• A small bag or backpack
• A soft toy (any favourite cuddly animal will do)
• Wear an adventurer’s hat of any kind if you want!
Before you start, we recommend:
• A clear floor area of about 4 paces square – free of movable furniture and any trip hazards.
• Children should wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
With Duffy Mooney-Sheppard
For Junior infants to 6th Class
Design and make your own feathered friend with visual artist Duffy Mooney-Sheppard in this puppet-making video workshop.
You will need:
• Card - if you like you can print out this template on your card, or draw your own!
• Pencils and paper - these can be scraps of paper, card, old packaging and any materials you have to hand such as pencils, crayons, makers, paints
• Scissors
• Pritt stick or similar
• Sellotape or masking tape
• Crepe paper or tissue paper of different colours, cut into small squares (5cm)
• Wrapping paper
• Shiny things or something that sparkles
Download More Art Activities Inspired by Birds!
Flap, Glide & Soar Like a Pigeon: Visual Art Activities for ages 5-12 by Duffy Mooney-Sheppard
With Duffy Mooney-Sheppard
For Junior infants to 6th Class
Take a look at this creative book-making workshop with illustrator Duffy Mooney-Sheppard. This workshop takes inspiration from Irish mythology's many stories about humans turning into animals. Perfect for junior infants to 6th class students, you will choose which animal you would like to become, learn its wisdom, and draw a simple booklet of your own imagined animal transformation tale.
Materials you will need:
• A few sheets of printer or construction paper (or similar)
• Drawing instruments (e.g., pencils, markers, crayons, or whatever you have handy)
• For the cover of your booklet, a piece of cardstock if you have it. Some cardboard cut to the size of your paper will also do!
• Stapler (or glue stick/glue/tape)
• Scissors
More Art Activities inspired by Irish Mythology
Animal Transformations: Visual Art Activities for ages 5-12 by Duffy Mooney-Sheppard
With Dave Rudden
For 1st to 6th class
Anyone can be a writer! And author Dave Rudden has a few easy Recipes for Stories to help children develop their writing.
In this video workshop, author of the Knights Of The Borrowed Dark trilogy, Dave Rudden explains the basic building blocks of stories along with some fun writing exercises to help budding writers flex their writing muscles.
Download our Creative Writing Worksheet
Recipes for Stories: Creative Writing Activities for ages 7-12 by Dave Rudden
With Duffy Mooney-Sheppard
For ages 5-12
Grab some paper, pencils, crayons or whatever drawing materials you have at home, and join us for this visual art video workshop with illustrator Duffy Mooney-Sheppard!
Inspired the adventures of Wilhelma The Tortoise, a friendly mahogany sculpture by Imogen Stuart, you will create a unique pictorial story map of your own. When drawing a map, you can invent your own world and tell a brand new story using whatever basic art materials you have available at home.