Creative learning inspired by the musical by Golden Toad Theatre, based on the picture book by Gillian Hibbs. The perfect Spring & Summer workshop to celebrate nature, community and wellbeing. A brilliant celebration for Earth Day, World Book Day, Book Weeks, Enrichment days, arts week and Environment Day.
Errol loves growing things. He has plants on every windowsill, on every shelf and in every corner of his family’s flat. What he really wants is a real garden. Bigfoot’s Errol’s Garden drama workshop for EYFS and KS1 takes Gillian Hibbs’ warm and wonderful picture book and turns it into a fully active, creative experience, combining music, movement, storytelling and real planting to give young learners something truly memorable.
The story of Errol’s Garden is one of the most quietly wonderful children’s picture books of recent years. It is a story about noticing something everyone else has missed, about asking for help, about what happens when a whole community says yes. Bigfoot’s workshops take that story and let young children step right into the middle of it. They meet Errol and his neighbours, explore what plants need to grow and begin to think about their own hopes and dreams for the future. Whether through movement and song or through getting their hands into compost and planting their very own seedling to take home, children are fully part of the story from the first moment.
Two workshop strands bring the programme to life in different ways. The Musical Theatre Workshop uses creative dance, group choreography and an original song called ‘This is How We Grow’ to explore the themes of the book through the body and the imagination. The Planting Workshop takes a gentler path through freeze frames, character work, drama games and the deeply satisfying experience of planting a real seedling with a small folded hope or dream tucked into the soil alongside it. Both workshops are sixty minutes, both are designed for EYFS and KS1, and both are filled with the kind of learning that stays with young children long after the session ends.
“The children loved getting to experience this workshop and had so much fun learning the moves and acting along with the wonderful facilitators. It linked beautifully to our current science topic in Year 1 and was a great cross-curricular link that both the children and the teachers enjoyed. I would highly recommend this experience to other schools.” — Miss Hann, Year 1 Lead, West Hove Infant School
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Engage with and respond to a high quality picture book through drama, movement and creative activity
- Explore what plants need to grow and understand basic concepts of plant care
- Use freeze frames, character work and improvisation to bring story characters to life
- Develop self expression and physical confidence through creative dance and movement
- Learn and perform a short choreographed routine to an original song (Musical Theatre Workshop)
- Plant and care for their own seedling, connecting the natural world to their own hopes and futures (Planting Workshop)
- Work collaboratively, listen to others and contribute their own ideas within a creative group setting
- Explore themes of community, kindness, perseverance and the power of shared dreams
NATIONAL CURRICULUM GUIDELINES
- English (Reading): Responding to and discussing a high quality picture book; exploring character, story and illustration; retelling and re-enacting narratives
- English (Speaking and Listening): Listening attentively; participating in discussion; using drama and roleplay to explore story and character
- Science (KS1): Identifying what plants need to grow; observing and describing plants; practical growing activity with seedlings
- Physical Education / Dance (EYFS and KS1): Exploring movement and expression; learning simple choreographed sequences; developing physical confidence and coordination
- PSHE: Understanding community and relationships; developing resilience and a sense of personal aspiration; exploring hopes and dreams
- SMSC: Social and moral development through themes of community, belonging, kindness and shared endeavour; spiritual development through imagination and wonder
- EYFS (Early Learning Goals): Expressive Arts and Design; Understanding the World (nature and the natural world); Communication and Language; Personal, Social and Emotional Development
FORMAT
Target Audience: EYFS and KS1 (Reception to Year 2)
Session Time: 60 minutes per workshop (Up to 5 x 1 hour workshops in a school day)
Capacity: One class per session (up to 30 pupils)
Workshops Available: Musical Theatre Workshop; Planting Workshop.
Resource Pack: A comprehensive teacher resource pack is included with every booking, packed with pre and post activities that extend the learning and bring Errol’s Garden into the classroom.
HOW TO ENQUIRE AND BOOK
For us to quote your school and offer availability, please fill out the form below and tell us how many classes you have in each year, what year groups you want us to work with, and any specific dates that will work for you. We will respond to you within 24 hours. We promise we will not ignore your enquiry. Important: if you have not had a response from us, you may need to check your folder of doom (spam folder) as sometimes our emails may end up in there!
