Creative Learning
As things continue to change rapidly in the world, we are finding our day to day life looking very different. For many of us that will mean working from home while also home schooling our children.
To help you through, we wanted to share some of the resources that we’ve found helpful for keeping young people thinking creatively while at home.
Have you heard that we’ve extended the deadline for our creative writing competition, The Golden Pen Award, until 10 May 2020? This competition is a great activity that is suitable for ages 10 – 17. With some great prizes on offer (including book vouchers from Boffins Books and up to $500 in prize money), why not encourage your young people to enter? They need to respond to the theme Planet Earth in a creative way – this could be a poem, short story, narrative non fiction, graphic novel etc. You can find more information and entry forms here.
Start a diary or journal – we are all experiencing something completely unique at the moment. Have your kids record what their life is like now during this global shutdown - they can take pictures, draw, do phone interviews with friends and family, make notes about their daily activities etc. It will be a great record to look back on in a year. Get creative with the journal itself, too – decorate the cover with scraps of paper or fabric from around the house, glue an envelope to the inside cover to hold newspaper clippings or mementos – the possibilities are endless!
Now is the perfect time to undertake a reading challenge. Our friends at Boffins Books have put together a reading list featuring our star Scribblers Authors – how many can you read? There are plenty of suggestions to keep you reading over the coming weeks, access the Junior, Middle and YA lists from their website. We'd love to hear book reviews from eager young readers - email your book review along with your name, age, suburb/town to hello@scribblersfestival.com.au and you'll be entered to win a Spot Prize!
Once you’ve finished reading check out the range of teaching resources on our website, there are activities for Pre-Primary through to Year 9+ that are perfect for home schooling.
Do you have a veggie garden? Use the next few months to connect with nature, get your fingers in the dirt and grow your own food. Order some seeds online and see them burst into life over the coming weeks. There is nothing more rewarding than eating the fruits of your labour, and it is so important for children to learn how to grown their own food – they are much more likely to eat fruit and vegetables if they’ve grown them themselves. Look for easy growers such as snow peas, beans, baby carrots and lettuce. What a great way to Go For 2 & 5!
We’d love to hear what you are doing to keep creative during this time! Share what’s keeping your family inspired on social media by tagging @scribblersfest and #scribblersathome. Stay well and keep reading!
